Antagonist

Character Role Analysis

Mrs. Robinson

Can you really be the antagonist of the person you're sleeping with? Sure. Just ask Mrs. Robinson. She's obviously attracted to Benjamin, but she avoids developing a real emotional connection with him—it's just about sex—and then tries to prevent him from dating her daughter. She even goes so far as telling Elaine that Benjamin raped her. So, she's transformed from being a seeming ally into the main obstacle to Ben's development. In a way, she represents the path of personal unhappiness—a loveless marriage, alcoholism, etc.—that Benjamin wants to avoid.