The Graduate
The GraduateNarrative Structure
The first frame we see after the institution's themes, is a
close up a mans face. I know this is the protagonist because it is
the character the opening sequence focuses on- his journey through
the airport. At this point, there is little context because we are
unable to see any costume or location. However, we hear a diajetic
voiceover saying Ladies and Gentlemen, we are about to begin our
decent, which suggests that they are on an aeroplane. At the
moment, there is equilibrium in the film, there is no problems and
everything is normal for the protagonist. This is exercising
Todorovs Equilibrium theory.
The mese en scene in this shot, shows that he is in an
aeroplane. The voice over proceeds to talk about the weather in Los
Angeles, so we know where the rest of the film is set. This medium
shot of people in the plane, also shows Barthes Referential Code.
It displays the culture of late 1960s Americans through their
costume and the set- this was the appearance of aeroplanes in this
times.
Here we see the protagonist moving through the airport. I know
this because his body isnt moving as he moves across the building,
so I can assume that he is traveling on a conveyer belt, as these
are typical features of airports. I can definitely know that he is
The Graduate, because he is wearing a suit, I can assume that he a
professional person.
This opening sequence, the director really used Barthes Enigma
Code, to hook the audience, by making them question what hes doing.
Because the films called The Graduate, we can assume that he is
looking for a job but nothing is definite at this point. This shot
also shows Barthes Referential Code, through the style of the
briefcase, because it is typical of 1960s style.
Here, we see the protagonist wave and smile to something outside
of the shot. This suggests that he is going to meet someone he
recognises and likes. This is an example of Barthes Action Code,
because one action implies that there is further narrative. This
shot again shows the Referential Code, because other people in the
shot are wearing clothes which are typical of the 1960s.
This close up shot, suggests that he is in an office, because in
the background, there is a fish tank, which is typically found in
offices at this time. This opening sequence is based on the Enigma
code, not giving much context or narrative to the story, so we stay
engaged.
