O Brother Where Art Thou Meaning

I’m surprised you didn’t explain who Tommy represents. His character represents Robert Johnson, the father and founder of the blues who “sold is soul to the devil at the crossroads” in Clarksdale, MS (the delta, the poorest region of the poorest state in the nation) in the 20s.

Big Dan declares he sells "The Truth" as he raises his left hand, in exact opposition to swearing on a Bible... brilliant, subtle symbology... Excellent analysis, especially the ending.

My attraction to this movie is that they travel to Tishomingo, MS to sing into a can. My mother grew up in Tishomingo during the depression.

The references to the Odyssey that are given in the film are numerous. In the opening credits of the film a line of text “O Muse! Sing in me, and through me tell the story…” which is also the opening line of the The Odyssey. The other major similarities are the character names. George Clooney’s character, Ulysses ‘Everett’ McGill and Ulysses is the Latin translation of Odysseus furthermore the wife’s character is named Penny which is the short form name for Penelope (Odysseus wife). The Governor of Mississippi in the film is Menelaus ‘Pappy’ ODaniel who shares the same first name as the Odysseus’s brother in arms and King of Sparta. Moreover the governor’s opponent in the election is a character names Homer Stokes who shares the same first name as the author of the epic poem. John Goodmans character Daniel “Big Dan” Teague is a character with only one good eye which may be considered homage to Polyphemus who was the Cyclops in the epic Poem. In the film there are a large group of women found cleaning clothes in the river it is their beautiful singing voices which bare a striking resemblance to the Sirens in the epic poem. Lastly, in the film there is a character who is a blind railroad hobo and it is this character who acts much like a prophet, one could argue that this character is in may respects very similar to Tiresias who portrays the blind ghost prophet in the poem. In regards to parallels in the film which mirror that of the epic poem many examples can be found. For example it is he case that Everett’s Crew (Delmar and Pete) portray three themes found in Odysseus’s crew which is irresponsibility, irrationality and mutiny. It is the case that on many instances Pete rebels against Everett’s authority which is very similar to that of Eurylochus.
There is an excellent scene in the film where the crew members disguise themselves as members of the Ku Klux Klan in order to make a swift escape. It is the case that in the Odyssey, the crew members disguised themselves from the blind Cyclops by tying themselves to the underside of sheep in order to make their escape. In the film the protagonist has a daughter whom until later in the film he had never seen in Person. The very same can be said for Odysseus who had mad many allusions to having never seen his child Telemachus. As a final example and probably the most important parallel, it is the case that the character Everett is making his journey back to his wife and encounters many difficult circumstances that hinder his progress, much like that of Odysseus. Everett is making his journey back to stop the marriage of his wife to Vernon much like Odysseus making the journey back to kill his wife’s suitors. Finally when Everett does actually confront Vernon he is badly beaten one could argue that this is similar to how Telemachus is unable to stop his mother’s suitors. In conclusion it is the case that although one may not see all of the similarities between the Odyssey and O brother Where Art Thou on the surface, however it is the case that upon closer examination one can find many parallels between the film and the epic poem.

“The moral of this story, the moral of this song, is simply that one should never be where one does not belong.”—Bob Dylan

My HS english teacher played this movie in class. Every time I rewatch it, I go back in time and I feel like Im back in those days right before graduation. Feelings of total freedom. Good movie.

IMHO one this is one of the best movies ever made. Such a wild and entertaining story. lovely music, acting and cinematography and a very clever script. Also a great tribute to that period of history. Just a perfectly well rounded movie!

It's the only movie ever in my life that I watched from beginning to end and then immediately watched it begining to end for a second time in same evening. No other film have I done that with or even wanted to do so. This is just SO good in SO many ways it's almost impossible to put it into words.

The treasure they found was not the treasure they were seeking. They sought for mammon but found redemption

I'm so glad that you mentioned The Odyssey. After reading The Iliad and The Odyssey 50 years ago, I seem to see the story repeated in many stories. Even in my own life experience.

I always thought the 3 men digging the graves at the end were supposed to look like the 3 protagonists until they turn around. You just see their backs for a while and it looks like our 3, digging their own graves.

Excellent analysis. This is my all time favorite movie and your editing was top tier. Especially the end.

I caught a lot of the undertones amidst my many viewings but NEVER thought about the physical and metaphorical baptism of the ending. LOVE IT!

I've seen this movie so many times, I have most of it memorized. I never realized these hidden narratives going on within it until you pointed them out. Great work

I am not a religious person but my father who was from Italy was when I was a young man we used to walk to his restaurant to make bread early in the morning and every morning we would pass a homeless man screaming and fury that God had a message for all of us my father would stop and talk to this man every morning as I got older this became a little wary some for me and then one day I asked my father why does he stop and talk to this crazy man and my father's reply has stuck with me ever since.. he said son who's to say that this man is the only man on the planet who's got a direct connection with God he is the link that we have all been looking for he may or may not be the only person on the planet who can foresee the future and or the past because God tells him things. Never judge a man by what he has what he does or what he looks like judge a man by the content of his character in that.

I would say I watch this movie 20+ times a year easily. The story, the art, the set, costumes, characters, plot, MUSIC!, sound effects... it's just a great balance.

Good analysis. Missed the parallel with Odyssey in getting home in time to save Penelope from the suitors

Oh wow! That is a really good analysis. Even ignoring the context, straight to the point, avoiding sidetracking into lengthy explanations. Great job.

This legitimately made me tear up and almost cry (I stop myself from crying, I need to unlearn that) from how beautiful this was made. It's such a good analysis and it really brings a whole new meaning to the movie. I understood what it was about, but this really gets into the meat and potatoes of how good the Coen Brothers are at making this movie

This movie reminds me so much of my older brother who passed away in 2011 when i was 2 due to suicide, I always thought Justin (my brother) played Pete in this movie..everytime i watch this movie i cry because of how much i miss him, It’s been almost 13 years since he died, this movie tugs my heartstrings so much and it makes me cry everytime i hear “Down to the River”.. this is a really good movie and i love it so so much <33