the graduate scene analysis

Response Paper
Screen Studies
Ashleigh
3/20/2003


The Movie The Graduate directed by Mike Nichols is a coming of age story entailing the confusions young adults go through as to whether they actually are adults or still kids. The film attempts to relay a message of innocence being pushed in an unwanted direction through a society filled with expectations and selfishness of an older generation. Nichols does this successfully through using many different symbols throughout the movie such as the use of water.
Water, is the most common symbol in the movie, signifying his overwhelming confusion and being sub-merged in it. This happens when he is leaning against the fish tank in his room during the party when he attempts to think about his future. Then again, on his birthday in his scuba gear when his parents push him into the water, indicating his unwillingness to comply with their demands. ...