Theme Of Isolation In The Graduate

Isolation, or the disconnection from reality, can cause people to do horrible things out of desperation. In the 1967 classic The Graduate, the main character, Benjamin Braddock, feels like his life is empty and meaningless. In result, he fires up a scandalous affair with the married Mrs. Robinson in order to feel something. The cinematographer, Robert Surtees, uses camera zooms and the director, Mike Nichols, uses underwater scenes to portray Benjamin’s depression and discontent with his life.
The college graduate, Benjamin Braddock, returns to his parent’s home until he figures out graduate school. Feeling confused and unsure about his future, Benjamin becomes depressed and quiet until Mrs. Robinson, who is also discontent with her unfulfilling life, seduces him into committing adultery. As their relationship comes to a close, he is still haunted by his sinful past as he begins to fall in love with Mrs. Robinson’s

In one scene Benjamin’s parents buy him scuba gear, in which he tries it out in their pool. Shown through the eyes of Benjamin, you can see the blurriness of the scuba headpiece glass, much like the blurriness of his future, and hear the sad silence despite his muffled breaths. Underwater, he is alone and content, not bothered by the pressures of graduate school and Mrs. Robinson. Because of Benjamin’s sadness and uncertainty, he always seems stiff- never fully relaxed.
Playing along with the director’s choice to create a sense of aloneness, the cinematographer, Robert Surtees, uses camera zooms and angles to bring this theme to life. In the beginning of the movie, Benjamin is walking through an airport on the way home and the camera is eye-level with him, zoomed in tight to show his face that is sad, tired, and lonely. Multiple times in the film the camera focuses on Benjamin starring in the fish tank or at a wall, contemplating things