In the movie, Lean on Me East Side High School was labeled a "cauldron of violence." After the school was designated the harsh term, Joe Clark a African American male became the head principal and changed the school around. Lean on Me is a story of hope, development, love, hate, and dependence. Mr. Clark was looked at as a father figure, friend, strict, with a harsh attitude who helped heal, strengthen, and bring to life …showed first 75 words of 421 total…

…showed last 75 words of 421 total…set alone to lead and turn the school around in under a year, like Joe Clark does, is unimaginable and almost impossible. Next, the school song was an important symbol throughout the movie. It is metaphoric of the change that East Side undergoes. As they tune up the song, they tune up the school. The song goes from a piece of garbage, to a song that is sung in harmony and tune by the students.