In this photo, we can see Mrs.Robinson's sorrow out of her face when she remembers her past. She tells Benjamin about herself( why she had to marry with Mr.Robinson and gives us clues about that times' social perception) In 1940s people were not tolerant for women who get pregnant without marriage. Thus, there was no way out for Mrs.Robinson(thanks Sonja for this information:)). So,this marriage was not a love marriage. In this bed, may be she looks for a love. Also, i think she tries to seduce Benjamin in order to feel as she turns her adoloscence and make things different. That's why she chooses a young guy to reach like Benjamin :). On the other hand, we can see Benjamin's surprised expression while Mrs.Robinson talks about her past. Also, he is unexprienced and don't know what to do so that's why he tries to chat rather than having a relation:).
Here we can see an example of rebellious youth! Without taking consider of what people will think, they make their decision and escape. They were forbidden to each other. And the forbidden love is the attractive one so, they decide to fight for it. There are many people behind them but no one has the power to stop them:)(may be for the first time, they did something because they want to)
Here is Ben lying on the seabed. I think this scene is important. Because, he remembers Mrs.Robinson and their hotel room adventure in this seabed. Here Ben's sunglasses is a mask and under that mask he thinks Mrs.Robinson. He needs a mask because he is dreaming about the forbidden:)(no one should see his thoughts so to hide that he puts on his sunglasses)
Here an adult is smoking. This is symbol of being an adult in this film. So, after having relation with Mrs.Robinson Ben also starts to smoke and drink:/(witch Mrs.Robinson she is the reason of Ben's new bad habits:P)
Resources:(for the photos)
http://www.premiere.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/galleries/TheGraduate1967ThekeytoBenjaminBraddock/44281-1-eng-US/TheGraduate1967ThekeytoBenjaminBraddock_imagelarge.jpg
http://marjorieanne.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/the-graduate-pdvd_0141.jpg
http://images.google.com.tr/imgres?imgurl=http://www.michaelmanning.tv/news/uploaded_images/the-graduate-718256.jpg&imgrefurl=http://michaelmanning.tv/news/&usg=__7A3ImXlnYxhV8Wtx34CvFfk1Fdk=&h=399&w=550&sz=33&hl=tr&start=33&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=lGi3LVEY2eaquM:&tbnh=96&tbnw=133&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dthe%2Bgraduate%26start%3D18%26um%3D1%26hl%3Dtr%26sa%3DN%26ndsp%3D18%26tbs%3Disch:1
http://leclisse.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/10-robinson.jpg
It's a nice idea to include screenshots of the key scenes (with references :=).
ReplyDeleteI like your idea that Mrs. Robinson is trying to relive her adolescence by choosing a young man. Also that forbidden love is attractive, whether it's real love or not. And although escaping from the church is an impulsive decision, it's their decision, as you say.
hmm...does Mrs. Robinson force Ben to take up drinking and smoking? Isn't he just trying on an older persona to see if it fits? :)
"does Mrs. Robinson force Ben to take up drinking and smoking?-this question makes me think that: may be I'm a bit prejudiced about Mrs.Robinson:(. So, thank you for sharing your counterargument with me.(your interpretion is much more objective and right:)).
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