The Graduate
Throughout the movie The Graduate by Mike Nichols I picked up on the use of motifs and how they were significant. The first time you see a motif used is when Mrs. Robinson sneaks in on Benjamin while he is in Elaine's room. You see Mrs. Robinson's reflection through the portrait of Elaine which represents how she is trying to act younger than she is. She is trying to act like her daughter would. It also shows how she has to be secretive about what she is doing because what she's doing in proper and shouldn't be done.
Another scene where you see motif being used is in the scene where Mrs. Robinson comes to meet Benjamin at the hotel bar. You see her reflection upside down which represents how upside down this whole affair is. It represents how this is so unusual and just messed up.
Towards the end of the movie you don't see the use of motifs used anymore because he's in love with Elaine and she doesn't have to prey on him. She doesn't have to act immature in order to win him over. Mrs. Robinson had to sneak up on him and persuade him into having an affair with her while you always saw Elaine. You always saw her without surprising Benjamin. Do you think that motifs should've been used around Elaine? Do yo
I also noticed the motif of reflected surfaces, and I think you brought up the two most important scenes where they were used. What I find the most interesting about this technique is that when you look in a mirror, you see the opposite image of yourself (meaning your hair is on the other side of your head, your eyes are reversed, and so on). I think Mike Nichols did this on purpose to reveal how the scenes were the exact opposite as they should have been. Ben and Mrs. Robinson should not have been having an affair or sneaking around. This answers the question you posed, whether or not there should have been reflected surfaces. There shouldn't have been because there was nothing wrong about Ben and Elaine's relationship.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the mirror motifs were definitely present throughout the film and I also believe these are two important scenes to show the character traits of Mrs.Robinson. I remember when watching the scene when her reflection is in the bar, she is at a high angle showing the Ben is looking up to her. With this movie being so much about regaining power, it shows Mrs.Robinson doesn't think of Ben as an equal.
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