MovieChat Forums > The Graduate (1967) Discussion > Mrs. Robinson's character

Mrs. Robinson's character

posted 8 years ago by billreynolds
16 replies | jump to latest

I find Mrs. Robinson by far the most interesting character in this movie. I really want to know a lot more about her, for example:

What did she see in Benjamin? She made such an aggressive play for him, which seems a little strange given that he was not drop-dead gorgeous and also was very timid, hesitant, and un-suave. Were those the qualities about him that attracted her? If so, why? Why did such a sexy, experienced, sophisticated woman want to be with a bumbling, very youthful 21-year-old? It's implied that Benjamin has no sexual experience at all, so he isn't likely to be a great lover, and Mrs. Robinson doesn't appear to spend any time educating him sexually.

Why did she make the move on him when she did, as opposed to some previous time? Obviously they had known each other and seen each other periodically throughout their lives. Had she been attracted to him for years?

Was this her only affair? Seems unlikely, given that she could probably have her pick of guys and that she seems to have never really loved her husband much. If she had other affairs, were they also with young, weaker men?

Did she really care about Benjamin? I think the movie implies yes - that she doesn't want him to be with Elaine because of jealousy. She seems really devastated when he arrives to take Elaine out. But again, it's a little hard to understand why. Was she hoping to run away with Benjamin?

"The tastes and weaknesses of an artist but [] no actual creative inspiration." -- Fitzgerald

[–] BKB (6125) a month ago

She secretly liked younger men I suppose?? Lack of dick probably also helped.. 🤔

[–] Where (1267) a month ago

She’s unhappy. She married too young. She got pregnant and had to cut short her college years, her single life, her youth. Now she’s edging toward middle age, in a loveless marriage, dependent on alcohol, and watching her beautiful young daughter come of age in a less rigid world.

She preys on Benjamin because he’s an easy target, an aimless post grad who is lounging around his parents house. He’s an amusement for her. She also may see him as the equivalent of her husband, a hapless romantic with no prospects who could get Elaine pregnant and trap her in the same sad mediocre suburban life. She wants Elaine to marry the rich guy because she believes there are only two choices for young women in life: marrying a rich guy or marrying a loser. Mrs. Robinson is too jaded and cynical to trust romance and love.