Joseph Conrad
Film 125
Research Paper
10/20/15
The Graduate The 60’s represented time of change in the United States. People of color were taking a stand to for their rights. MLK Jr., Malcolm X, and the Black Panthers made different types of protests to change how they were treated. The Vietnam War killed thousands of U.S. soldiers and the cold war was at the front of the news with events like the Cuban Missile Crisis. Technology was changing rapid with the space race and the news and media were becoming more of force with everyday Americans.
All of these things were in the minds of the young Americans that attend The Graduate in theaters. However none of these topics are used as a focus in the film. It moves away from the problems and changes …show more content…
A friend of Ben’s father pulls ben apart and says he want to tell him just one word. “Plastics.” “’The Graduate’ didn't invent the use of the word plastic to signify everything phony and superficial in American life. It merely sealed it in, well, celluloid” (Holden, 1997) The word plastics fit so well with this movie and the way that the relationships were over the course of Ben’s summer at home. The first time we see this is when the man pulls Ben aside. It is an awkward encounter that Ben didn’t really even pay attention …show more content…
Robinson is the wife of a wealthy man, and doesn’t work herself. This is very normal of women in the time period of the movie. She has always had a lot in her life from her husband but has become bored of their life. She seduces Ben and offers him a sexual relationship between the two of them. Not only does it catch Ben off guard but it is a surprise to the audience. She is an upper class woman, why would she do such risky things. Now almost 50 years after the movie came out there is more understanding in society. It is not abnormal for a married woman or man to get bored of their marriage and have an affair. It may not be considered normal but it is accepted that people do this. When the film came out it had to be a shock to some that a woman given this much would rebel against her
Film 125
Research Paper
10/20/15
The Graduate The 60’s represented time of change in the United States. People of color were taking a stand to for their rights. MLK Jr., Malcolm X, and the Black Panthers made different types of protests to change how they were treated. The Vietnam War killed thousands of U.S. soldiers and the cold war was at the front of the news with events like the Cuban Missile Crisis. Technology was changing rapid with the space race and the news and media were becoming more of force with everyday Americans.
All of these things were in the minds of the young Americans that attend The Graduate in theaters. However none of these topics are used as a focus in the film. It moves away from the problems and changes …show more content…
A friend of Ben’s father pulls ben apart and says he want to tell him just one word. “Plastics.” “’The Graduate’ didn't invent the use of the word plastic to signify everything phony and superficial in American life. It merely sealed it in, well, celluloid” (Holden, 1997) The word plastics fit so well with this movie and the way that the relationships were over the course of Ben’s summer at home. The first time we see this is when the man pulls Ben aside. It is an awkward encounter that Ben didn’t really even pay attention …show more content…
Robinson is the wife of a wealthy man, and doesn’t work herself. This is very normal of women in the time period of the movie. She has always had a lot in her life from her husband but has become bored of their life. She seduces Ben and offers him a sexual relationship between the two of them. Not only does it catch Ben off guard but it is a surprise to the audience. She is an upper class woman, why would she do such risky things. Now almost 50 years after the movie came out there is more understanding in society. It is not abnormal for a married woman or man to get bored of their marriage and have an affair. It may not be considered normal but it is accepted that people do this. When the film came out it had to be a shock to some that a woman given this much would rebel against her