MovieChat Forums > The Graduate (1967) Discussion > Plot hole

Plot hole

posted 3 years ago by Theman (1240)
9 replies | jump to latest

Mrs. Robinson says she does not like art but moments later she said that art was her major.

[–] mnphotoguy99 (442) 3 years ago

Maybe her thinking or interests evolved? I don’t think it’s a plot hole that a character changed from when they were in college.

[–] Owlwise (1536) 3 years ago

Exactly. She might even be saying that she doesn't like art because she couldn't pursue it after college & seeing it is a painful reminder of that for her. She's unhappy with her life, knowing how much her past potential never came to anything, due to getting married—maybe even having to get married? I can't recall if that was mentioned, but it would fit.

[–] Ace_Spade (9610) 3 years ago

Tonne of good insight right there. Excellent point, and a good tie to the major themes of the film.

[–] Owlwise (1536) 3 years ago

Thanks. When I was young & saw this film when it first came out, Mrs. Robinson was just a villain to me. Decades later, I feel pity for her, realizing that she's trapped & doesn't know how to get out of that trap.

[–] ducksoup (3933) 3 years ago

A villain? Wow, I must admit, I never thought of her this way. I might need to do a rewatch with this in mind. Totally new perspective.

[–] Owlwise (1536) 3 years ago

I was a young teen during the heyday of the generation gap, so that had something to do with my feelings about Mrs. Robinson then. :)

[–] Ace_Spade (9610) 3 years ago

Well, and of course Dustin Hoffman is kinda in the same place. He's feeling trapped and aimless, and even though he hasn't made those mistakes yet, he's about to...

[–] Owlwise (1536) 3 years ago

Yes, that too. :)

[–] Theman (1240) 3 years ago

Those mistakes created Elaine though.