The Graduate quotes

View Quote Benjamin: Elaine, I like you. I like you so much. Do you believe that? [She nods] Do you?
Elaine: Yes.
Benjamin: You're the first thing for so long that I like, the first person I could stand to be with. My whole life is such a waste. There's just nothing. I'm sorry. I'll take you home now.

View Quote Desk Clerk: Can I help you, sir?
Benjamin: What? Oh, no. I'm just...
Desk Clerk: Are you here for an affair, sir?
Benjamin: What?
Desk Clerk: The Singleman party, sir?
Benjamin: Oh, yes, the Singleman party.
Desk Clerk: It's in the main ballroom.
Benjamin: Ah, thank you.

View Quote Benjamin: I'm going to marry Elaine Robinson.
Mr. Braddock: Don't you think that idea is a little half-baked?
Benjamin: Oh no, Dad, it's completely baked.

View Quote Elaine: What are you going to do?
Benjamin: I don't know.
Elaine: Are you going home?
Benjamin: No.
Elaine: Well, where are you going?
Benjamin: Elaine, you're going to have to stop asking me that.
Elaine: I don't want you to leave tomorrow.
Benjamin: I don't understand.
Elaine: I don't want you to go anywhere until you have a definite plan.

View Quote Benjamin: Listen to me. What happened between Mrs. Robinson and me was nothing. It didn't mean anything. We might just as well have been shaking hands.
Mr. Robinson: Shaking hands? Well, that's not saying much for my wife, is it?
...
Benjamin: What happened between Mrs. Robinson and me was nothing. It didn't mean anything. We might just as well have been shaking hands...The point is I don't love your wife, I love your daughter, sir.

View Quote Elaine: Good night.
Benjamin: Are we getting married tomorrow?
Elaine: No...
Benjamin: Day after tomorrow?
Elaine: I don't know. Maybe we are, and maybe we're not.

View Quote Benjamin: That older woman that I told you about?...The married woman. That wasn't just some woman...
Elaine: [realizing] Oh, no. Oh, my God. Get out!
Mrs. Robinson: Good-bye, Benjamin.

View Quote Benjamin: [offering her a coat-hanger] Wood?
Mrs. Robinson: What?
Benjamin: Wood or wire? They have both.

View Quote Mr. Braddock: What's the matter? The guests are all downstairs, Ben, waiting to see you.
Benjamin: Look, Dad, could you explain to them that I have to be alone for a while?
Mr. Braddock: These are all our good friends, Ben. Most of them have known you since, well, practically since you were born. What is it, Ben?
Benjamin: I'm just...
Mr. Braddock: ...worried?
Benjamin: Well...
Mr. Braddock: About what?
Benjamin: I guess about my future.
Mr. Braddock: What about it?
Benjamin: I don't know. I want it to be...
Mr. Braddock: ...to be what?
Benjamin: ...Different.

View Quote [to Elaine] That's why I've been acting this way. I'm not like this. I hate myself like this. Listen, could you just stop crying, please?...I've had this feeling ever since I graduated. This kind of compulsion that I have to be rude all the time...It's like I was playing some kind of game, but the rules don't make any sense to me. They're being made up by all the wrong people. I mean no one makes them up. They seem to make themselves up.

View Quote Mrs. Robinson: [on the phone] Benjamin.
Benjamin: Yes?
Mrs. Robinson: Isn't there something you want to tell me?
Benjamin: Tell you?
Mrs. Robinson: Yes.
Benjamin: Well, I want you to know how much I appreciate this. Really.
Mrs. Robinson: The number.
Benjamin: What?
Mrs. Robinson: The room number, Benjamin. I think you ought to tell me that.
Benjamin: Oh, you're absolutely right. It's 568.
Mrs. Robinson: Thank you.
Benjamin: You're welcome. Well... I'll see you later, Mrs. Robinson.

View Quote Mr. Robinson: Do you ummm... do you want to tell my why you did it
Benjamin: Mr. Robinson!
Mr. Robinson: Do you have a special grudge against me? Do you feel a particularly strong resentment? Is there something I've said that's caused this contempt, or is it just things I stand for that you despise?

View Quote [in a letter] Dear Benjamin. Please forgive me, because I know what I'm doing is the best thing for you. My father is so upset you've got to understand. I love you but it would never work out.

View Quote Mr. Robinson: [about Ben] Who's that guy? What's he doing? I'll take care of him.
Mrs. Robinson: He's too late.

View Quote Mrs. Robinson: Don't be nervous.
Benjamin: Get away from that door.
Mrs. Robinson: I want to say something first.
Benjamin: Dear God.
Mrs. Robinson: Benjamin. I want you to know that I'm available to you, and if you won't sleep with me this time...
Benjamin: Oh, my God.
Mrs. Robinson: ...if you won't sleep with me this time I want you to know that you can call me up anytime you want and we'll make some kind of an arrangement. Do you understand what I...?
Benjamin: Let me out.
Mrs. Robinson: Benjamin. Did you understand what I said?
Benjamin: Yes, yes, let me out.
Mrs. Robinson: Because I find you very attractive. Now, anytime you want, you just...
Ben: Oh Jesus, that's him.