The Graduate

In The Graduate, Mike Nichols uses music and montages to unravel desperate times. Specifically 'Sounds of Silence' has a huge significance to the film and they play the song several times over; significantly three times, beginning, middle and the end. Whenever I heard the song the lyrics referred to silence as almost an illness. The people in the film lacked honesty and confidence in talking to one another, a lot of the problems would've been solved.

 'Sounds of Silence' helps introduce Ben as a character, and illustrating his feelings of isolation and alienation. This is shown in the first scene where the music works well in playing while on the automated walkway in the airport. The white background illustrates isolation and blankness, as is apparent in his expression. This portrays him in being a sleepwalker which in many ways, that is what he is.

'Sounds of Silence' plays again at the hotel when Ben and Mrs. Robinson meet up and the door is closed, as there is a fade to black. During this song there is a montage showing Ben going through a repetitive daily routine, leading up to an evening in the hotel room for sex. It comes up again how we were introduced to Ben as a lonely detached character, as there is no dialogue just a set up routine that has occurred his whole life. Furthermore, we see him this way in activity that should be fun and intimate.

After the affair and dramatic break up with Elaine Robinson, Ben's confidence increases as he makes the plan to go to Berkeley without hesitance which contrasts to the way he was with Mrs. Robinson. Ben disrupts the wedding and he and Elaine flee together. 'Sounds of Silence' is the same song that ends the movie,  that began the movie. As this song plays, the final shot of Ben and Elaine reveals that neither of them seem secure, or certain after the decision they've made and it demonstrates the disconnectedness at what could've been a happy ending.

Do the lyrics in the 'Sound of Silence' mean something greater than the idea of isolation?