The Graduate

The Graduate

Background

The Graduate (1967) is one of the key, ground-breaking films of the late 1960s, and helped to set in motion a new era of film-making. The influential film is a biting satire/comedy about a recent nebbish, East Coast college graduate who finds himself alienated and adrift in the shifting, social and sexual mores of the 1960s, and questioning the values of society (with its keyword "plastics"). PS: In 1960s, the plastic industry has become a emerged market in the US. Therefore, people all think that there is a good future in plastic and they also want their children to work on this industry.

The themes of the film also mirrored the changes occurring in Hollywood, as a new vanguard of younger directors were coming to the forefront. Avant-garde director Mike Nichols, following his debut success of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) with this second film, instantly became a major new talent in American film after winning an Academy Award for his directorship.

The theme of an innocent and confused youth who is exploited, mis-directed, seduced (literally and figuratively) and betrayed by a corrupt, decadent, and discredited older generation (that finds its stability in "plastics") was well understood by film audiences and captured the spirit of the times. One of the film's posters proclaimed the difficult coming-of-age for the recent, aimless college graduate.

There was already a growing dissatisfaction with the status quo and middle-class values, and the breakthrough film mirrored that anarchic mood perfectly for America's youth of the 60s during the escalation of the Vietnam War. However, in the final analysis, director Nichols actually subversively portrayed how aimless and unalive the disaffected young generation was (in the character of Benjamin) - and would become as they approached middle-age and worked in sterile corporate settings.

Conclusion:

In the mid to late 1960s, the rebellious youth went looking for a new way of life. They turned against the lifestyle of their parents. Some turned to radical politics.

Parents found it difficult to understand their children, some of whom wore hippy clothes, long hair, follow eastern religions, used drugs and had liberal secual attitudes.

The Graduate is a truthful description of the generation gap — Counter Culture Era( the Hippie Generation).

· rejected the old-fashioned American values and lifestyle;

·longed for change,dreamed of love, peace, happiness, and freedom;

· unusual lifestyle, radical beliefs, used illegal drugs, listened to rock and roll music, protested the Vietnam War, advocated civil rights.

The Graduate is adapted from a novel by Charles Webb, made into a 1967 film of the same name by director Mike Nichols.

Charles Richard Webb (born on June 9, 1939 in San Francisco, California) is the author of several novels, mainly known for his most famous work, The Graduate (1963), which was made into the enormously successful film of the same name.

Main works:

The Graduate (1963)

Love, Roger (1969)

The Marriage of a Young Stockbroker (1970)

Orphans and Other Children (1975)

The Abolitionist of Clark Gable Place (1976)

Elsinor (1977)

Booze (1979)

New Cardiff (2002)

Home School (2007)

Theme

Innocence and Maturity:

The movie shows a contrast between innocent and maturity. It describes an innocent graduated college student—Benjamin Braddock. He is ignorant of worldly affairs, but there are much lure in the world. Finally, he is enticed by the mature world—he has an affair with Mrs.Robinson.

Frustrated Youth:

Although he is a college student graduate from expensive school with excellent reputations, Benjamin is very confused of his future. As he said, “I am a little worried about the future!” And he is also exploited, misdirected, seduced and be betrayed by a corrupt, decadent, and discredited older generation is well understood and captures the spirit of the times.

Generation Gap:

A generation gap means a vast difference in culture norms between a younger generation and their elders. Benjamin’s parents just show off his excellence to their friends and relatives. They don’t understand Benjamin’s willing and his worry, they just need him to take them the feeling of pride. And other elder also cannot understand him. For example, Mr.Robinson just know Benjamin is an attractive boy, she also cannot understand the world inside Benjamin’s heart. Actually, most of the college graduated students like Benjamin, they feel nobody can understand their thoughts. So, they are more worried about their future because they cannot find someone to communicate.

Identity crisis:

The main character– Benjamin is suffering from “Identity crisis”. His future is being arranged by his dominating father. He doesn’t adjust and feels a little anxious about the change of his identity. On the other hand, Benjamin has had an affair with Mrs.Robinson. But, now, he fell in love with Elaine (Mrs.Robinson’s daughter). He also need explain and change his identity.

The Courage to Pursue Love:

In the movie, Benjamin has had an affair with Mrs.Robinson who is Elaine’ mother. However, he takes heart of courage to pursue Elaine and begs the Robinson to let their daughter marry with him. Finally, he announced to everyone in Elaine’ wedding and take Elaine away. This film also shows us their courage in pursuing love.

Conflicts:

Benjamin’s inner conflict

In the movie, as we all know that, Mrs.Robinson was his parents’ friend. He knew that he should not do that. And actually, he didn’t love Mrs.Robinson. Even so, he still couldn’t resist the temptation had a sexual relationship with the woman. Besides, he also had emotional conflict with Elaine. He loved Elaine, but when he went out with her, his behaviour hurt her deeply.

The conflict between Benjamin and traditional conception

Benjamin was born in an affluent family. When he graduated from the university, his parents created a future for him. They thought that he lived in a peaceful time and he should have a good job and a bright future. However, he didn’t think so. In the beginning of the film, he said that he wanted his life to be different.

The conflict between Benjamin and society

Benjamin was a new graduate from the university. He was so innocent that he didn’t adapt to the social life. In the film, his parents held a celebration party for his graduation. He was afraid to meet people and he looked incompatible with the party.

Mrs.Robinson’s inner conflict

In her eyes, Benjamin was a sexual partner. She didn’t love him but she didn’t allow him to go after her daughter, Elaine. Even she knew that they loved each other, she still objected to their intercourse

Elaine’s inner conflict

We all know that Elaine loves Benjamin. But, she couldn’t accept the fact.

Performance

1.Dustin Hoffman

He was born in August 8, 1937. He’s an American actor who has had a career in film, television, and theatre since 1960.Besides The Graduate, some of his most noted films are Midnight Cowboy, Lenny, All the President's Men, Kramer vs. Kramer, Tootsie, Rain Man, Wag the Dog, Meet The Fockers , and Last Chance Harvey.

Dustin Hoffman was a short man (only 1.66 meters). His Aunt Pearl once warned him "You can't be an actor. You are not good-looking enough.”What’s more, Life magazine also joked that “If Dustin Hoffman's face were his fortune, he'd be committed to a life of poverty“. But he finally became a known actor through his hard work. After playing the role of Benjamin Braddock in The Graduate , he became famous immediately and Time magazine called Hoffman “a symbol of youth" who represented "a new breed of actors."

Dustin Hoffman has won two Academy Awards, five Golden Globes, three BAFTAs, three Drama Desk Awards, an Emmy Award and an Annie Award. Dustin Hoffman received the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1999, and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2012.

2.Anne Bancroft

Anne was born in September 17, 1931 and died in June 6, 2005.Respected for her acting prowess and versatility, Bancroft was often acknowledged for her work in film, theatre and television. She won one Academy Award, three  BAFTAs, two Golden Globes, two Tony Awards and two Emmy Awards , and several other awards and nominations.

3.Katharine Ross

She was born in January 29, 1940. As an American film and stage actress, She rise to fame for starring in two of the most popular films of the late 1960s: as Elaine Robison in The Graduate, and as Etta Place in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

When she starred in The Graduate as Elaine Robinson, she got :

Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress

Laurel Award for Female Supporting Performance

Nominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress

Nominated—BAFTA Film Award for Newcomer to Leading Film Roles

Starred in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid as Etta Place:

BAFTA Award for Best Actress

Starred in Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here as Lola:

BAFTA Award for Best Actress

Starred in The Stepford Wives as Joanna Eberhart:

Saturn Award for Best Actress

Starred in Voyage of the Damned as Mira Houser:

Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress

4. Director---- Mike Nichols

Mike Nichols (born in November 6, 1931) is a German-born American television, stage and film director, writer, producer and comedian.

In 1968 he won the Academy Award for Best Director for the film The Graduate .Nichols is one of a small group of people who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award.

His other honors include the Lincoln Center Gala Tribute in 1999, the National Medal of Arts in 2001, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2003 and the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2010.

5.Screenplay-- Buck Henry and Calder Willingham

 Buck Henry

He is an American actor, writer, film director, and television director. He shared an Oscar nomination for his screenplay, The Graduate, a film in which he made a cameo appearance. In 1997, Henry was the recipient of the Austin Film Festival's Distinguished Screenwriter Award.

 Calder Willingham

He is an American novelist and screenwriter. The New Yorker described Willingham as having “fathered modern black comedy”. His notable works include Eternal Fire, The Graduate .

6. Songs

Songs in this film were completed by Dave Grusin and Paul Simon.

The songs include The Sound Of Silence (created by Paul Simon), Scarborough Fair(created by Sarah Brightman) and Mrs. Robinson(created by Simon and Garfunkel)

Scarborough Fair
Are you going to Scarborough Fair
Parsley,sage,rosemary and thyme
Remember me to one who lives there
She once was a true love of mine

Tell her to make me a cambric shirt
(Oh the side of a hill in the deep forest green)?
Parsley,sage,rosemary and thyme
(Tracing of sparrow on the snow crested brown)

Without no seams nor needle work
(Blankets and bedclothes the child of the mountain)
Then she`ll be ture love of main
(Sleeps unaware of the clarion call)

Tell her to find me an acre of land
(On the side of a hill a sprinkling of leaves)
Parsley,sage,rosemary and thyme
(Washes the grave with silvery tears)
Between the salt water and the sea strand
(A soldier cleans and publishes a gun)
Then she`ll be a true love of mine

Tell her to reap it with a sickle of leather
(War bells blazing in scarlet battalion)
Parsley,sage,rosemary and thyme
(Generals order their soldiers to kill)
And gather it all in a bunch of heather
(And to fight for a cause they`ve long ago forgotten)
Then she`ll be a true love of mine

Questions

1. Q:Why is it that this film The Graduate was such a big success and won so many Awards? A:The influential film is a comedy with  stinging satire not only on the college graduate who finds himself isolated with social environment but also on the values of Americans in 1960 through the vivid description of the confusion, and struggle of Benjamin. The numbness and confusion of Ben is not only his personal problem but also the miniature of that era.  

2. Q:Why did Benjamin invite Mrs.Robinson to accompany him at the hotel?

A:At that time, Benjamin is like a person who stands at a crossroad and doesn’t know which way to choose. However, his parents and friends didn’t realize his worrying. He felt so lonely and need someone to accompany him. So he thought of Mrs.Robinson but the hotel is just a coincidence.

3. Q:How does Ben behave himself at the party? Why does he finally escape to his room upstairs?

A:He looks very restless and embarrassed at the party, although the party is hold to celebrate his graduation. He escape to his room upstairs because he feel uncomfortable for his parents’ praise. He is so confused about his future. But from his parents, his future is so bright because he is very excellent. He cannot bear the atmosphere at the party.

Expressions

1. Mr Braddock: About what?

布兰多克先生：为什么焦虑？

Benjamin: I guess about my future.

本杰明：我想是担心我的未来。

Mr. Braddock: What about it?

布兰多克先生：未来怎么了？

Benjamin: I don't know... I want it to be...

本杰明：我不知道，我想它变得……

Mr. Braddock: To be what?

布兰多克先生：变得怎样？

Benjamin: [looks at his father] ... Different.

本杰明：（看着他的父亲）变得……不一样。

2. Won’t have much trouble picking them up?

带女孩出去不成问题吧？

3. Why don't you just drag me off if you want to marry me so much?

如果你想娶我为什么不直接把我带走？

4.Don’t think of me that way. I am still the same.

别这样说我，我其实一点都没变。

5.I want you to know that I'm available to you.

希望你知道我一直在等你。

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