Lesson Overview 

The Graduate Movie Questions (see my page on Movie Questions).  Why The Graduate?  There are two (make that three) very powerful reasons - 1) The main character's drifting and passivity (accompanied by an incredible naivete) perfectly match that Candide's title character.  2) That same aimlessness and feeling overwhelmed by society's expectations (Plastics, anyone?) is what so many of our students are currently expiencing.  My World Literature Class is made up of seniors who will, in a few short months, be graduating and will face many of the same situations as the film's Ben Braddock.  3)  There is an incredible exchannge between Ben and Mrs. Robinson in the movie - where they are asking each other questions - and she says that she isn't interested in Art - but a few minutes later, he finds out that she was an Art Major in college.  Almost this exact kind of scene - and its intergenerational implications is found in The History of Love - when Alma's uncle asks her what she wants to do when she grows up (be an Artist she says to please him because she knows his wife has lost - or never really had - interest in it).

See the handout or my page on Movie Questions  for more instructions on this film.  Remember - what is NOT ITALICISED is to be answered while watching the movie; what IS ITALICISED is to be done at home (and is more of an essay).  The follwing is taken directly from the handout: As you watch this movie, please answer the following questions.  Most of them are simple content questions, though a few (esp. the Metaphor Alert questions) will require a bit more thought than can be given during your actual viewing (think about these and answer them later).  You should also jot down any connections between this movie and the novel, Candide, that occur to you.

NOTE: THERE ARE IMPLIED (and direct) SEXUAL REFERENCES, VERY BRIEF (SUBLIMINAL) NUDITY, AND A SCENE AT A STRIP CLUB IN THIS FILM.   It is possible to skip those scenes or to unfocus them if you are using a projector - or to edit them out if you are techhh-savvy.  In any case, you want to make sure you have everyone's ok - parents, administration, etc. before showing this movie.

Thoughts on the Lesson 

Even though I told parents about the movie, and much more objectionable movies and shows were being shown on Prime Time Television,  and these were Seniors who would soon be heading off to college - I still worried about showing this movie.  One year I was showing it and an assistant principal walked into my classroom.  Uh-oh.  I was sure I was doomed.  He asked - "Joe, is this The Graduate"?  "Yep" I nervously answered - sure I was in big trouble.  "I LOVE this movie" he said.  And he took a set with the class and watched along with us.  For the next several years - he found out when we'd be watching it - and he came and watched it along with us.  You never know. :)