The theme of The Graduate is the emotional journey of an innocent and confused
recent college graduate who is exploited through an affair with a family friend who is a
married woman. It is satirical and often times comedic in its reflections of the social and
sexual mores of the 1960s.
A tight close up of Benjamin Braddock’s face opens the film, a sharp contrast of
his face against the stark whiteness that surrounds his head, symbolic of a Christ-like
halo. It appears as though he is alone but he is actually on a plane, interacting with no
one - isolated in thoughts and emotions. More symbolism of isolation with no one there
the luggage chute, he ...
