Alexei Volkov
In the 1967 film The Graduate, Mr. McGuire, a friend of the main character Benjamin Braddock's parents, takes Benjamin aside at his graduation party and offers him a piece of advice. He says, Plastics...There's a great future in plastics. Think about it. Will you think about it?. This line has become one of the most famous and quoted exchanges in movie history, and it reflects the values of the older generation that seem repugnant to young Benjamin. The use of plastics has increased significantly since the release of The Graduate, and it has become a ubiquitous part of modern life, impacting the environment negatively.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Mr. McGuire |
| Occupation | Friend of Benjamin's parents |
| Advice to Benjamin | "Plastics. There's a great future in plastics. Think about it. Will you think about it?" |
| Portrayed by | Walter Brooke |
| Film | The Graduate |
| Year | 1967 |
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What You'll Learn
Mr McGuire's advice to Benjamin Braddock
In the 1967 film The Graduate, Mr. McGuire, a friend of Benjamin Braddock's parents, pulls him aside at his graduation party and offers him a single word of advice: "Plastics". He goes on to say, "There's a great future in plastics. Think about it. Will you think about it?". At the time, plastics were at the beginning of an extraordinary evolution as a material, and they have since become ubiquitous in modern life. They are used in art and design, medicine, and packaging, and their use has increased by some estimates over 20 times since The Graduate was released 50 years ago.
From Benjamin Braddock's perspective, however, plastics represent everything he despises and fears. In the context of the 1960s, the word "plastic" had come to mean anything or anyone who is cheap, superficial, and artificial. Benjamin's relationship with Mrs. Robinson, for example, is "plastic" in the sense that it is phony and without feeling. To Benjamin, a career in plastics would be artificial, boring, and soulless. He wants his future to be "different", and a job in plastics would not be different enough.
Mr. McGuire's advice, therefore, serves as a representation of the older generation's cluelessness about what the younger generation finds meaningful. While he believes he is offering sage advice about a thriving industry, Benjamin interprets his words as a symbol of everything he wants to avoid in his future.
In retrospect, Mr. McGuire's advice to consider a career in plastics was not entirely misguided. Plastics have indeed become a dominant material in the world, shaping industries from medicine to design. However, they have also contributed significantly to environmental issues, particularly in waterways and oceans, where they can be mistaken for food by marine animals and break down into microplastics that enter our food web. As a result, while plastics have had a significant impact, their benefits have been countered by their negative environmental consequences.
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The meaning of 'plastics' in the film
In the 1967 film "The Graduate," directed by Mike Nichols, the word "plastics" is uttered by a character named Mr. McGuire, played by Walter Brooke. During a cocktail party hosted by Benjamin Braddock's parents to celebrate his college graduation, Mr. McGuire, a friend of Benjamin's parents, pulls him aside and offers him a one-word piece of advice: "plastics." This line is ranked #42 in the American Film Institute's list of the top 100 movie quotations in American cinema.
The word "plastics" in the film has a symbolic meaning that represents a way of life that is cheap, sterile, ugly, and devoid of meaning. It embodies the values of the older generation, which are unappealing to the young protagonist, Benjamin Braddock, played by Dustin Hoffman. Benjamin is portrayed as disaffected and disillusioned with the values of the older generation, including the pursuit of material success and conformity.
In the context of the film, "plastics" can be interpreted as a metaphor for artificiality, superficiality, and the emptiness of a life driven solely by consumerism and materialism. It reflects a society that is moving towards mass production, standardization, and a focus on synthetic materials. Benjamin, on the other hand, is searching for authenticity, personal connections, and a meaningful existence.
The word "plastics" also contrasts with the natural world and highlights the tension between nature and artificiality in the film. Benjamin is often shown drifting in a pool, emphasizing his aimless state and his desire to find something real and meaningful. The plastic chairs in Kartell, mentioned in a New Yorker article, serve as an example of how plastic has evolved in design, becoming more aesthetically pleasing over time.
Additionally, the use of "plastics" as advice for Benjamin's future career path underscores the film's exploration of the complexities of coming of age. Benjamin is at a crossroads, questioning his future and struggling with his attraction to Mrs. Robinson, played by Anne Bancroft, and his love for her daughter, Elaine, who is not featured in the provided excerpts. The theme of "plastics" adds a layer of social commentary to the film, critiquing the materialism and superficiality of the time while highlighting the search for authenticity and purpose in a rapidly changing world.
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The impact of plastics on the environment
In the 1967 film "The Graduate," Mr. McGuire gives Benjamin Braddock a piece of advice that has now become one of the most famous movie quotations in American cinema: "Plastics." In the film, "plastics" represents a cheap, sterile, and meaningless way of life, embodying the values of the older generation that the young Benjamin finds repulsive. Ironically, Mr. McGuire's advice doesn't seem so uncool now, as plastics have evolved into a versatile material used in everything from art and design to medicine.
However, the impact of plastics on the environment is a significant cause for concern. Plastic pollution has permeated natural and built environments, with research indicating that it may take anywhere from 100 to 1,000 years or more for plastics to decompose, depending on environmental conditions. Once in the environment, plastic breaks down into microplastics and nanoplastics, contaminating every ecosystem on the planet, from the Antarctic tundra to tropical coral reefs.
The ingestion of plastics by marine species is a particular area of concern, with over 1,500 species in marine and terrestrial environments known to ingest plastics. This leads to a range of health issues, including suffocation and entanglement. Furthermore, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) estimated that in 2019, plastic products were responsible for 3.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with 90% of these emissions stemming from the production and conversion of fossil fuels into new plastic products.
The toxic impacts of plastics are evident throughout their lifecycle, from production to use and disposal. Plastics are made from fossil fuels, and the extraction process releases hundreds of toxins that can cause damage to sensory organs, affect bodily systems, and impair organs. Microplastics and hazardous chemicals used in plastic products further contaminate the environment and can enter the bodies of animals and humans, leading to severe health consequences.
Addressing the plastics crisis requires policy interventions that target adjacent sectors, such as the chemicals, waste, and petrochemicals industries. While plastics have evolved to find applications in various fields, their pervasive presence in the environment underscores the urgency of finding sustainable alternatives and mitigating their harmful effects on human health and nature.
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The use of plastics in modern life
In the 1967 film "The Graduate," Mr. McGuire advises recent college graduate Benjamin Braddock to pursue a career in plastics, saying, "There's a great future in plastics." At the time, plastics represented a cheap, sterile, and meaningless way of life to Benjamin. However, Mr. McGuire's advice doesn't seem so uncool now, as plastics have become an integral part of modern life.
Plastics are synthetic polymers made from natural substances like cellulose or, more commonly, the carbon atoms found in petroleum and other fossil fuels. The ancient Mesoamericans first processed natural rubber, a type of polymer, around 1600 BC. However, the development of modern thermoplastics began in the nineteenth century, with the invention of vulcanized rubber by Goodyear and the discovery of polystyrene by Eduard Simon. The first fully synthetic plastic, Bakelite, was invented in 1907 by Leo Baekeland.
Plastics are strong, lightweight, flexible, and mouldable, making them exceptionally useful in various applications. They have contributed significantly to sustainability and environmental protection. Plastic packaging extends the shelf life of fresh foods and beverages, reducing food and packaging waste. Plastic insulation, sealants, and building products improve energy efficiency and reduce heating and cooling costs. Plastics are also crucial in the development of computers, cell phones, and medical advancements, such as artificial heart valves.
The versatility of plastics is evident in their use in art and design, such as Zaha Hadid's plastic jewellery and Kartell's plastic furniture. With the increasing availability of 3D printers, it is predicted that many more products will be made from plastic. While plastics have improved our lives, there are also concerns about their environmental impact. Scientists are working on making plastics safer and more sustainable, with innovations like bioplastics, which are made from plant crops instead of fossil fuels.
Overall, plastics have become indispensable in modern life, impacting various industries and our daily lives. While we strive for more sustainable practices, it is clear that plastics will continue to shape our world in the years to come.
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Plastic as a symbol in 'The Graduate'
In Mike Nichols's 1967 film "The Graduate," the word "plastics" is uttered by Mr. McGuire, a friend of the main character Benjamin Braddock's parents. During a cocktail party celebrating Benjamin's college graduation, Mr. McGuire pulls him aside to offer a single-word piece of advice: "plastics." This exchange has become one of the most famous and quoted movie dialogues.
In the film, "plastics" takes on a symbolic meaning, representing a way of life that is cheap, sterile, superficial, meaningless, and boring to Benjamin. It embodies the values of the older generation, which the younger generation, like Benjamin, finds unappealing and artificial. The use of the word "plastics" in this context reflects the belief that a career in this field would be unfulfilling and soulless, lacking authenticity and genuine human connection.
The symbolism of "plastics" in "The Graduate" extends beyond just a career choice. It also represents the disconnect between generations and the struggle of the younger generation to find their own path and purpose. Benjamin, disaffected with wealth and its pursuit, views "plastics" as a symbol of everything he despises and fears. It represents conformity and a lack of individuality, which is in stark contrast to the "different" future he desires.
Furthermore, the use of the word "plastics" can be interpreted as a commentary on the artificiality and superficiality of modern life. In the 1960s, when the film is set, plastic was becoming increasingly common and synonymous with mass production and a disposable culture. It represented a shift towards synthetic materials that were manufactured rather than natural, further emphasizing the sense of sterility and inauthenticity that Benjamin associates with the word.
While Mr. McGuire's advice may seem misguided and out of touch to Benjamin, it is not without merit in a broader context. Plastics have indeed become an integral part of our lives, evolving into a versatile material used in various industries, including art, design, and medicine. From plastic jewellery and furniture to medical devices and potential future innovations like 3D printing, plastics have proven to have a "great future," as Mr. McGuire predicted.
In conclusion, the word "plastics" in "The Graduate" serves as a powerful symbol that captures the tensions between generations, the search for meaning and authenticity, and the evolving nature of materials and culture. While it represents a way of life that Benjamin rejects, it also foreshadows the significant role plastics would play in shaping the modern world.
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Frequently asked questions
Mr. McGuire said "plastics" in the movie "The Graduate".
Mr. McGuire is a friend of Benjamin Braddock's parents.
Mr. McGuire was offering Benjamin Braddock a piece of career advice at his graduation party.
Mr. McGuire: I want to say one word to you. Just one word. Benjamin: Yes, sir. Mr. McGuire: Are you listening? Benjamin: Yes, I am. Mr. McGuire: Plastics. What's wrong with plastics?
