We have at least one example of a bad marriage in The Graduate, and one potential example of a good one (not counting Benjamin's parents' marriage, which seems to be pretty good). The bad marriage is the Robinsons—obviously bad, because Mrs. Robinson cheats on Mr. Robinson and it ends in divorce. Evidently, this marriage happened because Mrs. Robinson got pregnant and felt she had no choice but to drop out of school, get married, and give up her artistic ambitions. She doesn't really love her husband, and looks for an affair as an escape from boredom.
Elaine's marriage to Carl is a sham, pushed on her by her parents, who are desperate to get her away from Ben. She goes along with it. As for Ben and Elaine, we don't know what really happens; maybe she gets an annulment and they marry. Is this a real relationship or just rebellion against their parents? Is that a basis for a marriage? In the final shot, we know the jury's still out on that one.
Questions about Marriage
- Do you think Ben and Elaine will marry? Will it last?
- "Having to get married" was a pretty common situation prior to the 1960s and the sexual revolution, availability of birth control, etc. Was that a force for social stability? In this film, what were the results of that societal expectation?
- Why did Elaine agree to marry Carl Smith?
- Why does Elaine choose Ben over Carl? Is it love? Something else?
Chew on This
By wanting to marry Elaine, Ben shows he's just as conventional as his parents.
Marriage could be a dead end for women of Mrs. Robinson's age, but it was the only choice open to them.