How do Different Elemend inThe Gradute Create Meaning?

Editing in this scene is an important part of creating meaning for the rest of the film. The use of straight cuts and jumps shots in this scene both add to the style of editing. Straight cuts are used to show what is going through Benjamins’ mind, they are steady up until he sees Mrs. Robinson naked, because he is not used to seeing naked women, the eventual jump cuts start to draw the audiences attention to Mrs. Robinson very quickly. The speed then changes from a steady speed to a faster pace of editing. This again represents what is going through Ben's mind, for example, seeing Mrs. Robinson naked. He doesn’t know where to look, and he panics, and the jump cuts show this.

The mise-en-scene is another important part of making meaning in the scene I have chosen. The Robinson’s house is large in size. The makers have used high key lighting in the rooms to show this. There is an extensive use of green, mainly fro

m the plants, in the bar area and outside. The bar is used to separate Mrs. Robinson from Benjamin. This is also reminiscent of the legal drinking age in America, the fact that Mrs. Robinson is older than he is, and the significance of Mrs. Robinson giving him the glass of whiskey, and insisting he drinks it. The use of cigarettes by Mrs Robinson also have a strong significance, this draws attention to her mouth and lips.

When Benjamin sees Mrs Robinson naked, he only takes up a quarter of the frame. Mrs Robinson is talking more that Ben, she won’t let him say anything, this can also refer, and resemble this particular use of framing.

During the bar scene, Ben’s facial expressions are of anxiety and loneliness. These are conveyed in high angle shots, to make Ben feel small and less important than Mrs. Robinson. He paces up and down, he is restless, he moves his hands at a quick pace, and he tries to avoid eye contact. These small details all suggest that he feels awkward around Mrs. Robinson. He looks around for something to fix his eyes on. When he sits down his legs are together and his hands are on his lap. He tries not to show any emotion in his facial expressions. When he eventually talks, his voice is mumbles and he stutters at the thought of Mrs. Robinson trying to seduce him. He drinks quicker to try and get the though out of his head. He calms down once Elaines’ name is mentioned. In Elaine’s room, Ben stands looking at Elaine’s portrait; he nods his head as if he is looking at an art exhibition. Ben seems a lot more comfortable now that he feels someone is looking over them, he doesn’t feel as nervous with someone else there. When Ben sees Mrs. Robinson naked, his face is of pure shock and terror. He can’t help but look at her. He starts

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