From Benjamin to Rabbit

Nineteen seventies American life was characterized by series of crises, economic decline, changing social structure, distrust, and disheartenment. Jimmy Carter, in what became known as his “malaise speech,” summarized the general mood of the country, with considerable backlash. In what he called a “crisis of confidence,” Carter argued that American consumer culture and individualism had caused “growing doubt about the meaning of our own lives and in the loss of a unity of purpose for our nation.” This sense of malaise attributed the common mood of the United States was especially influential to pop culture in the 1970s. Many of the films produced in this time present themes of dreariness, hopelessness, skepticism, and paranoia. The existential crisis that Carter refers to can be seen in the anxiety-ridden, post-college Benjamin Braddock in Mike Nichols’s 1967 film The Graduate, and in middle aged Harry “Rabbit” Angstrom in John Updike’s 1981 novel Rabbit is Rich. Both of these texts offer perspectives into how American’s related to life in the United States, while also illustrating the changing culture and how it related to the country’s mood.
Though the 1960s are more known for activism that sought political and social egalitarianism, the fight, particularly for women, was still happening the 1970s. The changing social structure caused by second wave feminism, and the more assertive women that came with it, are represented in both texts. In The Graduate, Mrs. Robinson represents a change from the traditional woman’s role as a wife and housekeeper to one more openly sexual and firm. The monotony of suburban life in the 1970s coupled with the trend of self-indulgence influences Mrs. Robinson to look for something more fulfilling, and in 1967 she had the freedom to do so. The film illustrates how feminism was challenging the traditional male role. This is most apparent in Mrs. Robinson’s domineering relationship with Benjamin. Even after he attempts to break things off, Mrs. Robinson continues to try and control the relationship. It is also worth recognizing that although she is unfaithful to her husband, they are able to maintain a relationship. Mrs. Robinson’s daughter, Elaine, belongs to the same generation as Benjamin, and must also deal with the new sense of individualism in the United States. At the end of the film Elaine runs out of her wedding to be with Benjamin. In this scene, she disregards the demands of her parents and puts her future in her own hands. If her parents and their demands represent the former generation, Elaine’s elope with Benjamin demonstrates her freedom to make her own choices. In the novel, Rabbit’s midlife crisis is partly caused by a loss of masculinity. His wealth is exists because of the women in his life, and he resents it. Relying on the business owned by his mother-in-law, while living with her and his wife, has made him irrelevant and replaceable. While these themes do not necessarily contribute to the malaise of the 1970s (except for men who were insecure), they are certainly a part of the decade that stood out for people in the United States.
The sense of malaise attributed to the 70s comes largely from the United States’ declining economy, stagflation, and unemployment. While living in the wealthiest country in the world, many people in the United States still felt unsure about their futures. Although Benjamin has just graduated college with honors, he feels a great amount of anxiety towards what his future holds. Benjamin’s anxiety is most obvious in the beginning of the film. While being bombarded with questions about his future from his parents and their friends, he repeatedly says that he does not know what he is going to do. Eventually, his concern turns into apathy as he lies around in the pool doing nothing and “taking it easy.” Even by the end of the film, Benjamin has not decided what his career will be. In Updike’s novel, Rabbit Angstrom is lucky enough to benefit from the energy crisis, but still expresses feelings of an unfulfilled life. He truly felt content when he was a basketball star, but lacks a sense of self-importance as a general manager at a car dealership. He may be middle class, but it was not his own success that achieved it. The lack of determination towards reaching a fulfilling career was widely felt by people in the 1970s. This was in contrast to the 1950s when workers felt accomplished in building the United States’ economy.
When Jimmy Carter gave his “crisis of confidence” speech, the backlash was largely because he accused American’s of worshipping consumerism. The Graduate takes place in the heart of upper-class suburbia, and therefore the heart of consumer capitalism. His parents and their friends are excited for Benjamin’s future and pressure him to immediately begin a successful career. His father boils his own advice down to one word: “plastics.” The communal pressures that insisted on creating the ideal suburban life were largely pressures favoring consumerism. One was expected to get a job producing things so they could buy other things. This is also represented when Benjamin’s parents buy him a sports car (which they boast about with their friends), and the unnecessary scuba suit that they encourage Benjamin to use in the swimming pool. In Updike’s novel, Rabbit is obsessed with consumer culture. As a business manager, he often deals with buying and selling cars, and where to turn a profit. He also shows interests in investing in gold and silver, and he mentions reading Consumer Report. Despite being financially successful, Rabbit reflects the lack of self identity and spiritual fulfillment that many people believed described the United States.
Another point that Jimmy Carter made was the harm caused by individualism. With a lack of faith in national leaders, and a skepticism towards trusting others, people in the United States turned inward in the 1970s. In The Graduate Benjamin shows this in his habit of being an introvert. While the questions roll in from his parents and family friends, he never really expresses how much his anxiousness bothers him. One can see from his behavior, especially in the beginning of the film, how apprehensive he stays. He remains on edge and always replies immediately, but his mind always seems elsewhere.
Between the making of the film (1967) and the timing of the novel (1979-1980) the United States experienced the end of Vietnam, Watergate, Kent State, Ted Bundy, Three Mile Island, the Energy Crisis, the Iran Hostage Crisis, the threat of global terrorism, and increasing tension with Soviet Russia. America was becoming dark, and it was happening quickly. Though it is more difficult to identify the themes and moods that characterize a time while it is happening, it shows through the art that is produced, and the culture that is transformed. For cultural historians, things like films and fictional literature provide ample amounts of information that allow patterns and themes to show. For the history of a decade as recent as the 1970s, where many of the typical resources used by historians are not available, the information presented in pop culture becomes even more important.