Introduction
The journey of Benjamin Braddock, a recent college graduate, is explored in the widely regarded film The Graduate by Mike Nichols. The plot develops as Benjamin, feeling defeated and aimless in the face of adult duties and society expectations, returns to his parents’ suburban house. When he starts an affair with Mrs. Robinson, an older married woman, his life takes a complicated turn. However, the relationship gets even more complicated when Benjamin starts falling in love with Mrs. Robinson’s daughter, Elaine. The 1960s’ quickly shifting social and cultural landscape is the backdrop for the film’s expert exploration of early adulthood themes, including personal identity, intimacy vs. solitude, and societal pressures.
Thematic Analysis
Intimacy vs. Isolation
The theme of intimacy contrasted with isolation is a crucial stage for young adults. Exploring personal relationships throughout this stage, which usually lasts from 18 to 40, results in solid relationships and a sense of commitment and security (Adamczyk et al., 2022). On the other hand, if this is not accomplished, it might result in depression, loneliness, and isolation. Young adults want to have close, loving relationships with other people throughout this stage. They must balance their desire for close, committed relationships and their need for independence and autonomy.
Intimacy vs. isolation is a prominent concept in the novel, and Benjamin’s affair with Mrs. Robinson is a key moment that captures this idea. This relationship, which started when Benjamin felt adrift and uncertain about his future, is a symbol of his inability to develop genuine connections with other people. He is physically intimate with Mrs. Robinson, but emotionally, he is alone and unable to build a meaningful connection with her. Their conversations, which are characterized by Mrs. Robinson’s refusal to participate in any substantive conversation, make this clear.
For instance, his attempt to know more about Mrs. Robinson is met with emotional dryness: “Are you interested more in modern art or more in classical art? –Neither” (Nichols, 1967, 46:28). The relationship is a failed attempt at closeness, which makes Benjamin feel more alone and uncertain about his identity and destiny.
Gender Roles
The theme of gender roles refers to societal norms that specify what is regarded as acceptable conduct, attitudes, and pursuits for males and females. These roles can significantly impact people’s lives, especially in early adulthood. As Schroeder and Liben (2021) argue, “many children feel obligated by their parents and peers to behave in ways that are consistent with traditional gender roles of their culture” (p. 125). Early adulthood can be a crucial time for psychological and emotional growth that involves navigating and negotiating various gender roles.
The moment where Elaine is forced into consenting to marry a person chosen by her parents sensitively illustrates the issue of gender roles by reinforcing the cultural assumption of women’s passive position in decision-making. This scene is important because it exemplifies society’s limitations placed on women at the time (Nichols, 1967, 62:15). Yet near the movie’s conclusion, Elaine defies these expectations by deciding to flee with Benjamin. By doing so, she highlights her independence and uniqueness and rejects the gender stereotypes that society has forced upon her.
Conclusion
The movie The Graduate is a thorough investigation of the issues and themes that arise in early adulthood, especially Erikson’s psychosocial stage of “Intimacy vs. Isolation” and societal gender norms. The movie skillfully depicts Benjamin’s struggle to build lasting relationships and deal with societal expectations along the course of his journey, highlighting the difficulties that many young adults encounter. These topics are illustrated in the sequences that show Benjamin’s relationship with Mrs. Robinson and Elaine’s decision to go against her parents’ wishes. As a result, The Graduate continues to be a classic story that provides insightful perspectives on the difficulties and complexities of growing up.
References
Adamczyk, K., Park, J. Y., & Segrin, C. (2022). Patterns of intimacy crisis resolution and their associations with romantic loneliness in Polish and US young adults. Developmental Psychology, 58(8), 1600-1615. Web.
Nichols, M. (1967). The Graduate. Lawrence Turman Productions.
Schroeder, K. M., & Liben, L. S. (2021). Felt pressure to conform to cultural gender roles: Correlates and consequences. Sex Roles, 84(3-4), 125-138. Web.