Elaine Robinson from "The Graduate" is a complex character representing a generational shift and disillusionment with societal norms.
Key Aspects of Elaine's Character:
- Innocence and Idealism: Initially presented as naive and sheltered, fresh out of college.
- Rebellion: Experiences a crisis of identity, questioning her parents' values and expectations.
- Romantic Confusion: Caught between the inappropriate advances of Benjamin Braddock and her own desires for genuine connection.
- Growth and Independence: Ultimately chooses her own path, rejecting both Benjamin and her pre-determined future.
Elaine's significance lies in her representation of a generation grappling with change and seeking authentic meaning in a seemingly superficial world.