What does the opening shot of the painting say about the boys?

The film begins with a shot of a painting of young boys in suits looking in various directions, and pans to a real young boy having his necktie tied for him. A musician retrieves his bagpipes from a suitcase as the young boy is photographed alongside a second boy. The film's title comes onscreen beside a lit candle. A procession of teenage boys carrying banners enters a large, crowded sanctuary, led by the two younger boys and the bagpipe player, with an old man taking up the rear. They process to the front of the hall and take their seats. The old man lights the candle held by a boy in the front row, who uses the flame to light the candle of the boy beside him, and so on.

From the first shot, Welton Academy and its faculty are portrayed as adhering to the strictest standards of tradition and discipline, from the dark student uniforms to the formidable four pillars: Tradition, Honor, Discipline, and Excellence. The lighting of the young boy’s candle by the old man symbolizes the passing of knowledge and tradition from one generation to the next, a reflection of Welton’s belief in teaching what is tried and true. This immediately contrasts with the main characters’ behavior when they’re alone: being goofy and laughing with one another, and reciting their own vulgar version of the four pillars. The contrast between what Welton upholds and the boys’ natural adolescent behavior foretells a looming potential conflict.