Free Essay

The Graduate

In: Social Issues

Submitted By idajomo
Words 1112
Pages 5
Charles Webb

The Graduate

Benjamin Braddock has graduated from a college in the East of the USA. On the evening after his return, a party is given for him by his wealthy parents. He tries to escape from the guests’ approving and congratulating comments.

Benjamin opened the door leading into the living room. He walked through the room keeping his eyes ahead of him on the carpet until Mrs. Calendar took his elbow. “Ben?” she said. “I just think it’s too terrific for words.”
He walked past her and into the hall. Just as he got to the foot of the stairs his father came up behind him. “Leave me alone.” “Ben, for God’s sake what is it.” “I don’t know what it is.” “Come here,” Mr. Braddock said. He took his arm and led him down the hall and into a bedroom. “Son?” he said closing the door and locking it. “Now what is it?” “I don’t know.” “Well something seems pretty wrong.” “Something is.” “Well what?” ‘I don’t know!” Benjamin said. “But everything — everything is grotesque all of a sudden.” “Grotesque?” “Those people in there are grotesque. You’re grotesque.” “Ben.” “I’m grotesque. This house is grotesque. It’s just this feeling I have all of a sudden. And I don’t know why!” […] “But I’ve got to be alone. I’ve got to think until I know what’s happening to me.” […]
As a birthday present, Benjamin receives diving equipment from his parents. In the presence of their neighbors, Mr. Braddock makes Benjamin test it in their swimming pool.

“Now ladies and gentlemen? The boy is going to perform spectacular and amazing feats of skill and daring under water.” Mr. Arnold laughed. “Get your pennies ready, folks.” “Are you ready, boy?” Mr. Braddock said. “All right then. On with the show!” “On with the show!” the Arnold children yelled, jumping up and down “On with the show! On with the show!” Mrs. Arnold stood up and took their hands and then it was suddenly perfectly quiet in the yard. Benjamin cleared his throat. He walked slowly toward the edge of the pool, keeping his chin down against his chest so he could see where he was going through the mask, but before he reached the water one of his flippers got caught under his foot and he nearly pitched forward onto his face. The children began to laugh again and leap up and down. “Oh no,” Mrs. Arnold said. “That wasn’t funny.” [...] Benjamin placed his foot down onto the top step at the shallow end of the pool, then walked slowly down the steps to the pool’s floor. “Wait a minute,” his father said, he hurried to the edge of the pool with the spear. Benjamin stared at him a moment through the glass, then grabbed the spear away from him, turned around and began walking slowly down the slope of the pool toward the deep end. The water rose up around his black suit to the level of his chest. Then to his neck. Just as the water level was at his chin the flippers began scraping against the bottom of the pool. He let all his breath out and tried to force himself under but the air tank kept him afloat. He began thrashing with his arms but his head would not go under. The Arnold children began to laugh. [...] Benjamin pulled the mask partially away from his face, “The show’s over,” he said quietly. “What’s wrong?” “He needs a weight!” Mr. Arnold called. “That’ll get him under. If you had a big rock it would do it.” “Right,” Mr. Braddock said. He straightened up. “Folks?” he said. “There will be a brief intermission. Hang on to your seats.” He hurried past the pool and through a gate into the rear part of the yard, where the incinerator was. [...] When Mr. Braddock returned he was carrying a large piece of concrete used to keep the lid of the incinerator closed. Benjamin took it from him and walked slowly back toward the deep end. Some of the guests began laughing and applauding as his head went under and then it was perfectly quiet beneath the water as he walked gradually down to the very bottom of the pool. He stood a moment looking at a wall of the pool, then sat down. Finally he eased himself down onto his side and balanced the heavy piece of concrete on his hip. Then he turned his head to look up at the shiny silver surface of the pool above, “Dad?” he said quietly into his mask.

In the morning Benjamin got up earlier than usual. He dressed himself in a pair of khaki pants and an old jacket he had bought in the East at an army surplus store, and went downstairs. Mrs. Braddock was in the kitchen. “You’re up early,” she said. Benjamin walked past her and sat down at the table in front of his grapefruit. “I’m leaving home,” he said. “What?” “I said I’m leaving home,” he said, picking up his spoon. “I’m clearing out after breakfast.” Mrs. Braddock reached up to wipe her hands on a towel beside the sink. “You’re going away?” she said. “That’s right.” She frowned and walked across the room to sit down beside him at the table. “You’re taking a trip?” she said. “That is right,” Benjamin said. He dug into the grapefruit. “Well where are you going,” she said. “I don’t know.” “You don’t know where you’re going?” “No.” She sat a moment looking at him. “I don’t understand what you mean,” she said. “If you want the cliché,” Benjamin said, looking up from his grapefruit. “I’m going on the road.” “What?” “On the road. I believe that’s the conventional terminology.” “Well Ben,” his mother said. “What.” “I still don’t understand this. You aren’t just planning to throw your things in the car and leave, I hope.” “No.” “Then what?” “I’m hitchhiking.” “What?” “Mother, you haven’t been on the road much, have you?” Mrs. Braddock began shaking her head. “Don’t get excited, Mother. I’ll be all right.” “You mean you’re just going to pack your bag and go?” “I’m not taking any luggage.” “What?” “I’m taking what I have on.” “Are you serious?” “Yes.” “Well how much money are you taking?” “Ten dollars.” “Oh,” she said. “Then you won’t be gone more than a day or two.” Benjamin raised a section of grapefruit to his mouth. “How long will you be gone?” his mother said. “I don’t know.” “More than a day or two?” “Yes.” “But not more than a week.” “Look,” Benjamin said. “Maybe five years, maybe ten. I don’t know.” “What?”

(1963)

Similar Documents

Free Essay

The Graduate

...Mike Nichol’s “The Graduate” A Real Graduate In Mike Nichol’s, “The Graduate” Ben (a shy, antisocial, college graduate) who attended school on the east coast for four years -more than likely to get away from his parents- returns home to his family and a life full of high expectations, confusion, and a love triangle. Most parents who want their children to be successful, ideally, would not want to have full control over their child’s career path. Unfortunately, this is not the case for Ben. The day he came home his parents threw him a graduation party -considering none of his real friends were invited- that was really for Mr. Braddock’s (Ben’s father) friends and business partners to associate. Though, the average 20 year old would be thrilled to receive a car for graduating college (or on any occasion for that matter). When Ben’s parents surprised him with an Alfa Romeo or as his dad’s guests might say “A wop-job” he didn’t seem too excited. After he became irritated with all the bogus compliments about graduating college, he raced up to his room to escape the madness. Thinking he was alone, Mrs. Robinson (one of Mr. Braddock’s business partners) walked into Ben’s room intentionally and exclaimed, “Oh I’m sorry, I thought this was the bathroom.” Afraid of her impeccable presence and his lack of experience with a woman, Ben becomes extremely nervous as she bluntly invited herself to sit on his bed. But her demanding tone of voice and her promiscuous personality was just the first...

Words: 1455 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

The Graduate

...The Graduate (1967) Mise en scene is an every complex technic that director Mike Nichols usually to portray seduction Between the main charterers of The Graduate (1967) The film follows the protagonist Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), As a recent college graduate who has achieved High standard and remain intellectually focus until recently he struggles to find a way in his life. Benjamin was force to drive Mrs. Robinson home, which leads to the seduction scene. As they walk in Mrs. Robinson seduces Ben and lets him know that she is available by the way she acquired of her jacket . She stalls him with drinks, puts on some music, As she open her legs with the director shooting a low angle to show that Mrs. Robinson is in control. Ones Mrs. Robinson feels that she losing control of Benjamin she force him upstairs. Next thing he knows, Mrs. Robinson has locked the door and is standing before him, glaring naked with Benjamin point of view shoot which the director show that Mrs. Robinson change his mind when led him to the hotel room the next day. In The scene when Benjamin encountered Mrs. Robinson in the hotel room, the shot was taken so seriously, with such stylish of clothing and the energy the humor is just fantastic. Mrs. Robinson's waiting to blow out her mouthful of smoke the way she focuses on rubbing the stain off her collar made Benjamin bang his head, This show how cleverly Mrs. Robinson stimulations Ben into doing what she wants. Benjamin as a confused and isolated...

Words: 275 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

The Graduate

...The Graduate The Graduate is 1967 film that was based on a 1963 novel, The Graduate. I have viewed both the screenplay and the trailer of this film. The trailer took important scenes and presented them in such ways that could actually change the plot of the movie in some ways. The trailer combined so many key shots of the film that gives you just enough to engage you emotionally and spark your curiosity. As the trailer begins you immediately hear an asynchronous sound (Sikov, 79) of background music. The song playing is The song of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel (wikipedia.com). The trailer opens up with a long shot of a young man sitting outside in front of a fountain and there’s a flag waving right above him. The camera then cuts to an extreme long high shot to capture the entire landscape of the university and students walking around the campus behind the young man. The next few shots are various close-up shots complied together that shows several people coming up to Ben rubbing his head and hugging him congratulating him on his graduation. You hear a one lady ask him “what are you going to do now?” And his reply was “I was going to go upstairs for a minute”. This showed that he was definitely clueless that the question pertained to his future career. In the first thirty seconds of the trailer you are already aware that the movie is based on a guy named Ben who just graduated college and with only a few spoken words you can derive to the conclusion that he is undecided...

Words: 2204 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

The Graduate

...Pool Sequence of ‘The Graduate’ “Well, I would say that I’m just drifting. Here in the pool.” says Benjamin Braddock to his father halfway through Mike Nichols’ film The Graduate. Water, and the pool itself become an integral part of Benjamin’s character and it allows the viewer a window into his psyche. None more so, than during the backyard party held by his parents and their friends for his 21st birthday where Benjamin is forced to don a scuba suit and demonstrate its uses. The beautifully crafted sequence clearly illustrates his frame of mind and the divide he feels between himself and the older adults in his life. Throughout the film Ben is reluctant to morph himself to fit into the mold that his father sees as being the appropriate way to transitions into adulthood. Ben’s reluctance and Mr. Braddock’s persistence is clearly evident in the pool sequence. Ben is embarrassed to leave the solace of the house in the silly scuba gear while his father is keen on showing off his son to his friends. Due to heavy coercion, Ben finally emerges from the house with the wet suit and we see through his point of view which is very restricted because of the scuba mask. All Ben can see is the partygoers cheering him on to take a dive into the pool. This technique along with the lack of sound is highly effective in illustrating Ben’s feeling of claustrophobia and isolation that suburban society forces onto him. The sound before the POV shot is of Mr. Braddock’s voice hyping up the situation...

Words: 537 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Graduate

...Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Personal Success Introduction to Graduate Study in Health Sciences/HCS504 John Dean Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Personal Success Many people nowadays want to accomplish many things in their lives for personal and professional growth. Some people can achieve these goals, but others have obstacles that come along the way in where their dreams can either change or diminish. Even though some goals/dreams do not come true I believe that we should never give up because who knows what can come along. My personal and professional goals at this time are to accomplish my Master’s degree and advance into the DNP program. Another personal goal is to get into one of the good hospitals in the city and work as a nurse with babies or Pediatrics. The third personal goal is to get married and have a family. These three goals are some of my main goals at this point in my life, especially to have a family, as I am at a point in my life that family becomes important. I know there will be some obstacles that will come through my life of pursing my goals, but with God, the support of my family, and my persistence I know that I can accomplish these goals. Reasons to Pursue Graduate Study Education is an important aspect in our lives. It gives us knowledge, skills, and personal growth so that we can be successful. My reasons for pursing a graduate study is for personal growth, to gain more knowledge in regard to my nursing career,...

Words: 1276 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Film Analysis of "The Graduate"

...Film Analysis of “The Graduate” The 1967 film by Mike Nicoles “The Graduate” is about Benjamin Braddock, a recent college graduate, who is at a crossroads in his life. He is caught between adolescence and adulthood searching for the meaning of his upper middle class suburban world of his parents. He then began a sexual relationship with the wife of his father’s business partner, Mrs. Robinson. Uncomfortable with his sexuality, Benjamin and Mrs. Robinson continue an affair during which she asked him to stay away from her daughter, Elaine. Things became complicated when Benjamin was pushed to go out with Elaine and he falls in love with her. Mrs. Robinson sabotaged the relationship and eventually the affair between Mrs. Robinson and Benjamin is discovered. Understandably, Elaine runs back to college. Benjamin follows her to school determined not to let her get away and ultimately disrupted her wedding. In the end, Elaine runs off with Benjamin uncertain about her pre-determined destination. “The Graduate” cannot possibly begin to unravel the several very complex themes that run throughout the film. The coming of age story as the film attempted to relay a message of innocent being push in an unwanted direction through a society filled with expectations. It focuses on the development and the maturing of the young college graduate and his journey from child to adult as well as sex and relationship. It captures what it is to be young, restless, skeptical and confused. It is reflective...

Words: 2040 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Graduate Programs

...The expectations of students are much higher in graduate school. Many programs have a bi-yearly review process where your work is evaluated and critiqued. The results of this review could lead to your dismissal from the program if you have not met the department's expectations. Writing becomes extremely important as you prepare to execute your thesis in your last year. Projects and presentations are stepped up as well. Learning to do comprehensive and thorough research is a large part of what your graduate study is about. Research in graduate school goes to a different depth than in your undergraduate study and the expectations of your research will be high. Classes are usually smaller in graduate school. You can no longer hide among the masses of students that were present in undergraduate school. Class participation is counted as a larger percentage of your grade. Graduate students are asked to evaluate and form opinions and questions about subject matter and be able to discuss them in class. There is a greater sense of professionalism in graduate school. This level of education is where more intense career training takes place and you will be asked to conduct yourself professionally. You may also be asked to leave off your casual to sloppy student attire and dress in a more professional manner. The biggest difference between graduate and undergraduate school is in the thesis or dissertation. A thesis or dissertation is a large research and writing project that can be...

Words: 334 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Graduate Courses

...There are some major difference between undergraduate and graduate courses. The graduate school is more intense and rigorous academically than undergraduate studies, but at the same time graduate school represents a rewarding experience. As graduate students, we are expected to demonstrate high quality results, better skills, self-motivation, professionalism, independent thinking, research and how to manage our time. I remember the main focus of undergraduate program was general knowledge and introduction of new information. While I was in nursing school, I didn’t work. I was a full time student and I had the opportunity to live with my wonderful parents who always offered me financial and emotional support. As a graduate student, I will apply to this course the knowledge that I acquired from the undergraduate school and also the experience that I have of being working in different hospitals. I will be more dedicated, responsible, self-motivated and with better time management skills. I consider a graduate learning community differ from an undergraduate learning community in diverse aspects such as age, experience, motivation and professionalism. Most of the students in graduate school have a much wider age range. Some of them may already have many years of work experience in the field that they are studying or are likely to have spouses, children and other family’s responsibilities. I would describe a graduate learning community as a group of students or even faculty instructors...

Words: 265 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Graduate Essay

...Growing up, I aspired to be a princess. I assumed, like most rational five year olds, that not only was being a princess an actual career path but that it was the only career path for a girl like me. I could wear beautiful gowns, prance around in tiaras and tell people what to do. What’s not to love? Sadly, that dream came to abrupt halt when my mom found it necessary to inform me that I was mistaken, that the odds of me becoming an actual princess were quite miniscule. Luckily, children are resilient and I recovered from this heartbreak quite quickly. Through growth and maturity, I soon set my sites on higher aspirations and announced that I would be one of the following: a doctor, a lawyer, a fashion designer or a hybrid of all three. To most, that list of possible career paths might seem all over the place with very little, if anything, in common. However, most people would be wrong. All three potential careers were positions of leadership, of being in charge, something that appeals to me as much today as it did when I was five years old, dreaming of being a princess. Working in retail was never part of my long-term career goals until I attended the University of Montevallo. In fact, the idea of working in retail past the age of twenty-two sounded almost painful. Working on weekends and on holidays? Who would subject themselves to such torture? Yet, at the age of twenty I found myself enrolling in Montevallo’s Retail Merchandising and Business program with a smile on face...

Words: 1505 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

The Graduate Program.

...The Graduate Degree   JaNeice Brown   COM/516   March 24, 2014   Instructor Lynn Davis                               The Graduate Program.   A good graduate program provides their students with necessary skills, tools and resources to be successful.  The program will employ staff and instructors that enjoy teaching and guiding students.  Standards within the program are equal to others in nation and prepare the student for a working environment. Public speaking skills and writing skills are improved though the learning process. Some programs go over and beyond with ensure their students are accurately ready for the beyond the program. The goals set by the student and program will allow the student to be organized to gain completion of their goals and degree. Time management and the ability to focus are characteristics of a great student.  Extra resources and programs such as, seminars, classes, workshops and online resources are at the deposal of the student. The University of Phoenix exceeds these characteristics. The University provides their students with tools and resources such as Task Stream, e portfolio, online resource and the library.  The team assignments give students the opportunity to interact with different personalities.  They are one of the many universities that go over and beyond by preparing their students with reading material and articles such as, "Stay Cool When Things Get Hot: How to Communicate and Present Your Ideas More Effectively"...

Words: 440 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Graduate Studies

...Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Personal Success 2you HCS/504 April 8, 2013 Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Personal Success Pursuing a graduate degree creates many opportunities and comes with many challenges, such as balancing work and attending school and adjusting to the increased workload of school (M. Schlemper, 2011). Finding balance with time management and stress management can be a challenge within itself. Now that I have decided to make this important decision to pursue my educational goals to obtain a Master’s degree in nursing there were several questions that I had to ask of myself. How am I going to afford school, how do I manage my schedule, how do I keep my family intact and most importantly how do I maintain my sanity? I researched several schools to view the various programs offered. Applied for financial aid and discussed my educational goals with my employer and spouse. Every person has a reason for pursuing a graduate degree, for some it is to enhance their career path and others it is a requirement of their organization. These reasons can be personal or professional, which include a feeling of achievement and personal success and increasing their competency (Plunkett Iwasiw & Keer, 2010). Personal and professional reasons for acquiring a graduate degree was so that I could advance my career path as well as enhance my knowledge base and be able to provide an evidence base practice that is required to keep up with the...

Words: 1063 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Graduate Advisory

...NYU Wasserman Center Graduate Student Advisory Board Fall 2014-Spring 2015 Application The Wasserman Center is in search of outstanding graduate (Master’s and PhD) student volunteers to join the Graduate Student Advisory Board! This student advisory board partners directly with the Wasserman team to address the career goals and needs of graduate students across the university. As a volunteer board member, your efforts will be dedicated to enhancing graduate student professional development. You will be able to share specific insights about your graduate program and find opportunities for the Wasserman Center to support career-related events within your department. What are the benefits? • Leadership experience and the ability to use your talents to make a difference with your peers • Partner directly with the Wasserman team on marketing strategies, workshop/seminar creation, and event planning What are the requirements? • Enrolled in a Master’s or PhD program with a graduation date of May 2015 or later • Commitment to be a board member for at least two semesters (Fall 2014 and Spring 2015) • Attend at least two board meetings each semester. Meetings are held on the first Friday of each month from 12:00-1:00 pm. Unless otherwise noted, meetings take place in Conference Room A, Wasserman Center, 133 East 13th Street, 2nd Floor. o Friday, October 3 (Location TBD) o Friday, November 7 o Friday, December 5 ...

Words: 548 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Graduate Study Challenges

...Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Personal Success When deciding to return to graduate school, a person has made an excellent step in advantaging their knowledge in their particular career field. Before returning to graduate school, most people have given serious thought to the time commitment that they will have to face for the next two to four years. They have had many sleepless nights and day dreamed about the stress they will face to complete a graduate degree. Therefore entering a graduate program should not be taken lightly. In many disciplines it is required to have a graduate degree to practice independently in that career field (e.g. Social Worker and Psychologist). Nursing is now requiring nurses to have a graduate degree to advance into management positions. Employers are demanding their nurses to have more than just the knowledge to care for patients. They want the nurse who is placed in a management role to have the knowledge to be a leader. Nurses are returning to school to gain more knowledge in their career field, increase effective communication skills, have a higher potential for promotion, and to have a greater earning power. When deciding to return to graduate school, a student must have a strategy that is going to get them through the next two-four challenging years of their life. Personal and Professional Goals My reason for pursuing a graduate degree is to gain more knowledge in the healthcare industry, become a more effective...

Words: 1152 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Graduate School Preparedness

...January 29, 2014 “Preparing Graduate Students for Graduate-Level Study and Research” Summary The number of academically under prepared and at-risk college graduates completing graduate-level degrees is increasing. Many of the students are doomed to failure either because they are academically disqualified or because they lack the guidance to acquire new information necessary for involvement of their thesis and/or project. Ultimately the cost of losing students is worrisome to both university/college officials and program coordinators. One of the most common hindrances for graduate students is the completion of the thesis, which almost always involves complex reviews of subject area literature. This problem is often overlooked, since program coordinators, faculty advisors and other officials assume that students automatically have knowledge of procedures in obtaining previous data/research findings relevant to the thesis work. This could not be further from the truth. In lieu of reading this article for review Katherine O’Clair hypothesizes that providing graduate students with adequate resources and support, including the help from the library, is required for protecting and increasing return on investments for university graduate programs. Often, just simply involving a university/college librarian can help reduce graduate student attrition and improve degree completion rates. O’Clair had a simple question of, “does a course with given credit prompt graduate students to evaluate their...

Words: 657 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Challenges of Graduate Study

...Issues and Challenges of Graduate Studies Karen Hallman AJS501 January 16, 2012 Terence Hunt Issues and Challenges of Graduate Studies Today, postgraduate education faces numerous encounters in terms of ultimatums, quantity, excellence, and proceeds, both for wage-earners and the customers concerned. Why scholars decide to pursue this level of education and the inducements offered by organizations and businesses are acute factors in altering and accepting trends. As a graduate student we face many challenges and obstacles while pursuing our careers. In the months to come ones biggest challenges is articulating enough to gain employment, diligence in time management, and keeping up one’s grade point average. Time management is the biggest challenge for me. Throughout the course of my daily routines of juggling school, work, and family it appears there is never enough time in the day. Emerging time management skills is a voyage which needs practice and control along the way (Time Management, 2012). Taking steps to manage time consist of reorganizing one’s day so that one is in control, prioritizing, and placing my most important goals and values first. My methods for making my time management into a success plan includes getting plenty of rest, exercise, maintaining a to do list, becoming flexible, and one will learn not to procrastinate. (Gardner, Jeweler, & Barefoot, 2011) Keeping up one’s grade point average and keeping one’s stress level down is another...

Words: 832 - Pages: 4