Music in The Graduate (1967)

Matthew Collins

Music in The Graduate (1967)

In the film The Graduate directed by Mike Nichols, used various songs written by the folk rock legends Simon & Garfunkel. In the film the director had selected specific songs to illuminate certain emotions that the main character Benjamin feels. In the scene where Ben in riding the automatic walkway in the airport, the song The Sounds of Silence opens the movie and helps introduce Ben as someone who is alone and isolated. Repetition is seen throughout the film; the director uses the same music to convey a similar message. An example of this is Ben’s first sexual encounter with Mrs. Robinson in the hotel room; the Sounds of Silence begins to play again. This reminds the audience that even in a moment of intense emotion Ben still remains just as detached and lonely as he always was. Another song the director chose to repeat throughout the movie is Scarborough Fair, because the song emits a dreamy and light feeling. Nichols uses this song in the scene where Ben is seen stalking the Robinson house; it shows that he is still in a dream, but he needs to face reality. The music in the film was innovative for its popularity at the time and the fact that director was able to accurately use it to help develop Ben as a character.