How we cite our quotes: All quotations are from The Graduate.
Quote #1
[During the extended introductory shot, an expressionless and robotic Benjamin stands motionless on the moving walkway in the airport with "The Sound of Silence" playing on the soundtrack.]
In the opening scene, Nichols shows us right away who we're dealing with. Ben looks almost "erased" as a person, just allowing the walkway to move him and having no initiative of his own.
Quote #2
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.
Benjamin is confused. He can't really articulate what he wants his future to be, but he knows he wants it to be "different." But different in what way? We know he doesn't see himself as the corporate "plastics" type, and he also doesn't want to have unfulfilled ambitions like Mrs. Robinson. He doesn't really identify with anyone in the adult world. His parents seem to be very comfortable in their own identities, but Ben doesn't want their life.
Quote #3
LADY 3: What are you going to do now?
BENJAMIN: I was going to go upstairs for a minute.
LADY 3: No…I meant with your future.
LADY 2: With your life.
BENJAMIN: Well, that's a little hard to say…
This is another example of Ben not knowing what he wants from his future. He doesn't want to do something he's not passionate about, but it's unclear what he is passionate about. His identity at this point is still more defined by what he doesn't want than what he does want.