Social Satire
in
The Graduate
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Plot Summary:
In the movie “The Graduate”, Benjamin experiences two different types of relationships. The first one is completely sexual. Benjamin, feeling pressured and confused by the life he is leading, is seduced by his neighbor, Mrs. Robinson. Mrs. Robinson and her family are close friends to Benjamin’s family. After the original seducing, a full fledged affair begins between the two. For Benjamin, it is merely an attempt to escape his problems. For Mrs. Robinson, it is a chance to get some, as her marriage is following apart. The whole relationship is based off of sex, and little else. Then comes the relationship of Benjamin and Elaine Robinson, Mrs. Robinson’s daughter. Benjamin is forced by his parents and Mr. Robinson, to take Elaine out. Mrs. Robinson fights the whole thing, because she is extremely jealous. However, despite the fighting, Benjamin ends up falling hard for Elaine. When Mrs. Robinson finds out, the relationship between Benjamin and Elaine is completely ruined as Elaine finds out the truth of the affair. The remainder of the movie is spent as Benjamin tries to win back Elaine and her trust. It ends with him breaking up Elaine’s wedding, and the two lovebirds running off together. |
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Analysis of
Our Critical Pages: Our pages come together through the discussion of social satire in the film "The Graduate". Specifically they both discuss how sex is a very important issue, especially in the sexual revolution of the 1960's. In these essays, there is a discussion of the relationships between characters, with special interest in an analysis of Mrs. Robinson and Ben's relationship. Mrs. Robinson has complete control over Ben during the affair because of her age and knowledge of sex. Her social standing or worth is superior to Ben's and therefore he acts in a childlike manner whenever around her, and always calls her "Mrs. Robinson". There is also a discussion on how the story of Ben's rebellion, beginning with his affair with Mrs. Robinson, indicates the satirical nature of the movie. One of the more interesting points is that Ben's ultimate rebellion is to be with Elaine, the girl most suited for him and the girl everyone wanted him to be with in the beginning. One of the main issues in our pages is that sex is used as a rebellion or as a means of finding answers for Ben. In the end, however, sex only caused more problems. The affair almost ruined Ben's chances with Elaine, did ruin his family's social network, and Mrs. Robinson's premarital sex with Mr. Robinson caused her to be forced into an unhappy marriage. The only real and somewhat "true" or "pure" relationship in the movie comes when no sex is involved. Ben and Elaine and the ones that seem meant to be, but they only even kiss twice on film. The Graduate seems to show that relationships should be based on equality- equality of age and of social standing, not sex. The ending of this movie seemed, to both writers, to show that "happiness is not easily found, [because] all the characters are struggling to find their place in life by continually risking relationships and hurting those close to them in the process. [The society in the graduate] definitely [shows us] a mixed up social world" (Wood, The Graduate). Emphasis is placed on society and the power and advantage that comes from wealth, class standing and age. Happiness and prestige of the higher class/group can only be achieved through making the other group inferior to your own group (Wood, The Graduate). The expectations of society during this particular era, cause certain people in the movie to act in inappropriate ways because they are trying so hard to meet the society’s expectations or rebelling from them all together. Society’s pressures have made Mrs. Robinson willing to destroy the life of an innocent young man so she can keep up the façade (Johnston. Social Satire).
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Links to "The Graduate" Web essays:
Kristen's Web essay
Katherine's Web essay
Other Links:
NY TIMES
Alternate Review
The Graduate Information
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