''The graduate''
Written by Charles Webb
The Graduate
Written by Charles Webb.
Published by Penguin Books in 1986.
Number of pages: 191
Before reading:
I got this book because I found the blurb interesting. It appealed to me and I was
wondering what would happen in this book. I had not previously heard of this book.
`Chapter 1
Benjamin Braddock is graduated and his parents give him an exam party. There are many friends of the parents of Benjamin. But Ben doesn't want to be at the party, he wants to go
away. He feels uncomfortable. But he can't go away because his parents stop him, and friends don't let Ben go.
Then Mrs Robinson asks him (a friend of his parents) if he wants to bring her home. This is exactly what he needs, go away from house. So he brings Mrs Robinson to her house.
Arrived at the House of Mrs Robinson she asks Ben to come inside. He goes inside and drinks what and starts a little conversation with Mrs Robinson.
Then Mrs Robinson tries to seduce him and she dresses herself out. Ben was shocked!
Mrs Robinson is a good friend of his parents, and what if Mr Robinson comes home? Why
does she do this? See page 22: 'Haven't you ever seen anybody in a slip before?' she
said, letting the dress fall down around her and onto the floor. 'Yes I have,' Benjamin said,
glancing away from her and at the portrait of Elaine. 'But I just -'
'You still think I'm trying to seduce you, don't you.'
After this conservation Mr Robinson arrived home. Benjamin went downstairs and had a little conservation with him and later he went home.
Chapter 2
Benjamin thinks much about his future. His parents want him to be teacher, but he doesn't want this, he doesn't want to be on a college anymore. But he also doesn't know what he wants to become.
It's Benjamin's birthday. So they are celebrating it. The Robinson's are also there that evening. Benjamin gets from his parents a diving suit. Exactly what he wanted, but he feels very uncomfortable and he would prefer to be alone.
The next morning Ben tells to his parents that he wants to make a trip. He wants to go
away. He doesn't want to take stuff or money with him. However, he gets a check for his father. His parents find it weird that he goes, but let him go though.
Chapter 3
Benjamin comes at night back from his trip. His mother and father woke up and wanted to know everything about his trip. Ben is very tired but tells what he he's done. He went to the
North. To Redding. There he found some jobs like washing dishes and chores. He has also assisted putting out a large fire.
He found this trip useless and it was a bad idea.
Two days later Ben went to a bar at the Hotel Taft. He felt lonely and sad. He decided to
call Mrs Robinson and ask if she wants to come over to drink something with him. Mrs
Robinson comes and they drink something, talk a little bit and they have sex that evening.
Chapter 4
Benjamin doesn't feel good. He doesn't know what to do. So he watches TV at home and doesn't do anything else. His parents do not know what is going on with him.
Then the Robinson's came along. It was very awkward and there were often silences. Ben did not know what he had to say. He felt terrible in front of Mr Robinson.
That evening Ben's mother asked what happened to him and what is going on. He told his
mother that he is ashamed for the friends of his parents. Because he has no job and doesn't do anything. Also his father talk to Benjamin. He thinks it's because of Mrs. Robinson that it was so embarrassing. He thinks it’s a demonic woman. For no reason.
Ben decides to write a letter to Mrs Robinson. He writes that he doesn't want to deal
longer with this affair. He finds it terribly. Terrible against his parents and against Mr Robinson.
But they are still meeting each other. And they still have sex. You cannot call it a
relationship. They don't talk much, so Ben wants to talk more. Mrs Robinson tells him that she and Mr Robinson are married because she was pregnant of Elaine, not because they loved each other.
They still don't love each other. Elaine doesn't know this. Elaine is studying in Berkeley. Mrs Robinson wants that Ben promises that he never will ask Elaine out. She does not give a clear reason. But Ben promises to never ask Elaine out.
Chapter 5
The daughter of Mr & Mrs Robinson (Elaine) comes back from school. The parents of Ben
and the father of Elaine want that Ben and Elaine date each other. Although Ben find
Elaine very attractive, he can't do this. He has promised Mrs Robinson to ask Elaine never
out. Benjamin and his parents discuss at the table: See page 91, 92:
'Ben?' his mother said. 'Don't you think she's a terribly attractive girl?' 'Yes I do,' Benjamin
said. 'But that's not the point'
'Because I think she's one of the prettiest -'
'Mother, she is a beautiful girl,' Benjamin said, putting the salt shaker back on the table.
'But Elaine and I do not get along.'
'How do you know?'
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