Soundtrack to the Graduate essays

Soundtrack to the Graduate essays The sound track and the image track in The Graduate do well to complement each other. Music, dialogue, and sound effects add to the mood, and set the tone of any given scene. The often indistinct main character, Benjamin Braddock, is handled many different ways by sound throughout the picture. The ways in which he interacts with people and his environment is shaped by the sound track. As the film opens, Simon and Garfunkle'sThe Sound of Silence? is heard as Benjamin departs the airport. This song is refrained several times throughout the movie. It seems that when Ben is alone and reflecting, this song establishes a sort of clarity within him. He is still very much confused at these points, but at least he has a momentary clear mind. The song itself is rather somber and cryptic, as Ben is at a puzzling and arduous time in his life. The next sound heard immediately after the 'sound of silence? theme is the bubbling and splashing of Ben's fish tank. Ben is positioned in front of the tank, and it seems that Ben is entrapped within the tank. The same aquatic noises are heard as Ben samples his new scuba gear. Ben is immersed in his surroundings, just as the fish are. During Mrs. Robinson's seduction of Ben, she plays a saucy Latin song on the radio. This action shows that she is very much in control of the situation and of the mood in the room. The song choice is obvious to depict the sultry disposition of Mrs. Robinson. Later on, when a topless Mrs. Robinson corners Ben, they?re speech runs together as a twisting philharmonic sound blurs even further. In this very awkward moment, all logical sound is blurred. It perfectly matches the look on Ben's face. When the tables are turned, and Ben is in the driver's seat, the audio track sounds completely different. Ben is overwhelmingly nervous as he scampers around the hotel lobby. His dialogue is jumpy, and also, curious noises arise from his throat as he paces arou...