The Graduate Scene 10 Summary

We Always Cry at Weddings

  • Back in Berkeley, Ben finds Carl Smith's fraternity. He quizzes the frat brothers about where the wedding's being held and discovers it's in Santa Barbara. The frat brothers joke about Carl being a "make-out king."
  • He races back in his car, speeding into town. At one point, he stops to make a call, pretending he's a minister and needs to know where the wedding is. He figures out where the church is located.
  • He runs out of gas and has to sprint the last mile there.
  • At the church, he runs up to the second floor, where, through a giant balcony window he can see Carl and Elaine kissing, having just been declared man and wife.
  • He pounds on the glass, screaming Elaine's name. Mrs. Robinson looks up with a satisfied smirk.
  • He's too late.
  • Elaine stares up at him and and finally screams back, "BEN!"
  • He runs downstairs, and fights off the enraged wedding guests, including Carl and Mr. Robinson.
  • Mrs. Robinson tries to stop Elaine, but can't.
  • After battling the guests with a cross from the church, Ben uses it to bolt the door after him. He and Elaine dash out hand in hand, hop on a city bus, and speed off.
  • Some pretty amazed bus passengers turn around to stare at the young woman in a wedding gown and her sweaty, disheveled companion.
  • Elaine and Ben are elated, but as the bus moves along, their expressions become neutral and quizzical. They're not sure what's next.