However, a third party is added to the love affair, as Mrs. Robinson's daughter Elaine (Ross) surfaces as a potential love interest for Benjamin, and proves herself to be a much more pure and innocent woman than is her mother. .
Despite the fact that a seductive female figure and an assailable male figure are characteristic of romantic comedies, their relationship and mindsets are usually much different than those of the characters in The Graduate. In this case, the extremely provocative Mrs. Robinson isn't an alluring or impressive character, but rather one to be pitied. Her alcoholism, bleak personality, lack of fidelity, and abrupt sexuality combine and form the ultimate picture of a hopelessly lost and depressed woman. Benjamin is really more her victim than her lover, as his relationship with her brings him nothing but a sick sort of entertainment and ultimately a great deal of regret. It is because of the horrible burden of his affair with Mrs. Robinson that Benjamin becomes attracted to Elaine and eventually obsessed with her. Therefore, the pitiable and even tragic state of the characters in the triangle separates them from the far more flat and light-hearted characters in most Romantic Comedy films. .
The plot of this film, built entirely upon its dysfunctional characters, is dramatically different from most of its genre. Instead of focusing on two people of different backgrounds falling in love, or on a battle of the sexes, The Graduate probes into a much deeper and darker side of human relationships. The film begins as Benjamin returns home from school and finds himself smothered with congratulations by his parents and their friends. Mrs. Robinson, who is old enough to be his mother, succeeds in seducing the confused boy and initiating a lasting affair that, although it fills time, seems to depress both of them. Under pressure from his parents and Mr. Robinson, Benjamin agrees to take out the Robinson's daughter, Elaine, despite Mrs.
