Post-Graduation

In 3-4 years time we will be in the same situation as Benjamin Braddock, the leading character in the classic movie "The Graduate." Although hopefully, we will handle our entrance into the real world a little better than he did.

"The Graduate" is a comedy drama that was released in the 1960s. It's the story of Ben Braddock, a recent college graduate who has no direction in life. While his parents are thrilled that he is entering a new stage, he seems, at most, apathetic about his future. This leads him to be especially susceptive to the charms of the wily Mrs. Robinson, his neighbor, who seduces him. Later, after a long affair, he falls in love with her daughter.

While certainly eccentric and scandalous for its time, "The Graduate" is much more than shock value. It is a critique of the previous generation's way of life. Braddock's parents (and their friends) value fitting in, settling down with a company for the long haul, and finding a relationship not necessarily out of love, but out of necessity. But Ben decides he wants to do something different. He wants to break out of the shallow lifestyle of his predecessors. Only problem: he's not sure how.

Ben: I'm just...
Mr. Braddock: ...worried?
Ben: Well...
Mr. Braddock: About what?
Ben: I guess about my future.
Mr. Braddock: What about it?
Ben: I don't know. I want it to be...
Mr. Braddock: ...to be what?
Ben: ...Different.

This disinterest in maintaining the status quo was very much a part of the youth culture at the time. As the Vietnam War continued to escalate, many young people struggled to find meaning in life and began to criticize their parents for their beliefs. Throughout the film, several scenes feature Ben surrounded by people, but alone and isolated, continually struggling to find a connection in an increasingly hypocritical and shallow world.

The film's soundtrack also serves as an important device to reinforce the mood of isolation and loneliness. The song "Sound of Silence" by Simon and Garfunkel serves as a ever-present reminder of Ben's loneliness.

...And in the naked light I saw, ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking, people hearing without listening.
People writing songs that voices never shared, no one dared disturb the sound of silence...

Throughout the movie, Ben is portrayed as awkward, indecisive, naive, and humorous, all of which fly directly in the face of what he is supposed to be. His parents laud him for his accomplishments: Captain of the Cross Country Team, Head of the Debating Club, Managing Editor for the college newspaper, but when it comes down to it, none of that has helped him discover himself.

I think that this last part, especially, still resonates with people today. In the college arms race to get into prestigious schools, many students spend time racking up accomplishment while not actually understanding and exploring their own interests and potential. This results in many students coming out of college confused about where to go next. While today, this is considered more of the norm, it was a radical thought in the 1960s when "The Graduate" was released.

Similarly, many of our parents still believe in finding one company and working there for life. Today, the millennial generation is expected to continue breaking with tradition by job-hopping between several different companies during their careers. According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics, older millennials (born in the 1980s) have held an average of 6.2 different jobs by the time they reach age 26. This change in perspective may have originated as early as the 1960s when young adults like Braddock became disillusioned with the values maintained by their parents.

Even though "The Graduate" was released almost 50 years ago, we can still use it to learn more about the culture of that time and how we got to where we are today.