STARRING

DIRECTOR

LENGTH

CATEGORY & RATING

AWARDS

POTENTIAL THERAPY RELATED ISSUES

Graduating into adulthood: addiction, adultery, abuse, purposelessness, prostitution, and plastics. A client's need for meaning, purpose, and direction. The distinction between academics and wisdom, cleverness, and clarity.

QUESTIONS

Write short essay answers to any four of the following six questions.

1. With great intensity, Mr. Maguire urges Ben to consider “PLASTICS.” He is quite certain “there's a great future in plastics.” In context to this movie's theme, do you think "plastics" should be understood literally or figuratively? What might be the metaphor or symbolism behind this one prominent word? Do you think many of the people at Benjamin's welcome home party may be involved in “plastics?”

2. Using the DSM IV (Axis I and II impressions only) how would you diagnose Mrs. Robinson, Elaine and Benjamin?

3. “In the naked light I saw, ten thousand people maybe more. People talking without speaking, people hearing without listening, people writing songs that voices never share, and no one dared disturb the sound of silence. Fools, said I, do not know, silence like a cancer grows. Hear my words that I might teach you, take my arms that I might reach you, but my words like silent raindrops fell and echoed in the wells of silence.”
Do you think that Ben's problems, issues, confusions, behaviors, and dilemmas are isolated and unique, or perhaps symptomatic of a large proportion of people in our time? Briefly explain.

4. Describe a treatment plan for one of the characters in the film assuming he or she came to you for psychotherapy.

5. What did you learn from the film that you believe will enhance your clinical skills?

6. How might clients benefit from viewing the film and discussing it in therapy?

DIRECTIONS

Your responses must be typewritten and submitted along with our completed registration form one of three ways: (1) by mail with a check or credit card information; (2) by fax along with credit card information, or (3) by e-mail along with credit card information. If you do not wish to submit credit card information via e-mail or fax, please mail your registration for processing. Your payment must accompany your answer sheet. Do not e-mail or fax us your forms and request us to call you for your credit card information. Submissions via e-mail or fax without credit card information will incur a $10 surcharge. Please visit our contact information page for our mailing address, fax number, and e-mail.