O' Brother Where Art Thou questions

#1
MphsBlues

MphsBlues

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#1
I've read the Odyssey and I am a writer, myself, but I need help with a couple of things. Someone smarter than I should know:

What or whom does the the blind man on the push-thingy on the railroad tracks represent?
What is the relation to Homer's Odyssey to the folks in white gowns going to the river to get Baptized? Why does one of the characters refer to them as a 'colony of gophers?' (I paraphrase)
Why is Robert Johnson inserted into the story?

It's been a lot of years, and I have had way too many beers to remember The Odyssey that well.
 
#3
#3
It's "Tommy" Johnson, and I think that was just a cool way to weave in a fun historical figure's legend into the story of their band.
 
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#4
#4
I think that may solve part of the veiled clues in the movie. Thanks, kind sir :hi:
 
#5
#5
MphsBlues said:
I've read the Odyssey and I am a writer, myself, but I need help with a couple of things. Someone smarter than I should know:

What or whom does the the blind man on the push-thingy on the railroad tracks represent?
Click to expand...

He is a composite between Homer himself (a blind poet), and the character of Phemius, a bard who recites The Return from Troy, which roughly predicts Ulysses' journey.

What is the relation to Homer's Odyssey to the folks in white gowns going to the river to get Baptized?
Click to expand...

They are the Lotus-Eaters.

Why does one of the characters refer to them as a 'colony of gophers?' (I paraphrase)
Click to expand...

I don't think the line is in reference to the congregation. I think it's in reference to Delmar repeatedly offering the others a bite of the gopher he has snared and cooked. But I could be wrong. I'd have to watch it again.

Why is Robert Johnson inserted into the story?
Click to expand...

It's just a fun, historical reference. Same goes for the inclusion of Babyface Nelson. Neither is a direct reference to the Odyssey.
 
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#6
#6
n_huffhines said:
It's "Tommy" Johnson, and I think that was just a cool way to weave in a fun historical figure's legend into the story of their band.
Click to expand...

That's what I thought, as well, but didn't know if he was inserted as a replica of an original character. I just know, after watching it several times, that I wish I were clever enough to come up with it. :)
 
#7
#7
bamawriter said:
He is a composite between Homer himself (a blind poet), and the character of Phemius, a bard who recites The Return from Troy, which roughly predicts Ulysses' journey.



They are the Lotus-Eaters.



I don't think the line is in reference to the congregation. I think it's in reference to Delmar repeatedly offering the others a bite of the gopher he has snared and cooked. But I could be wrong. I'd have to watch it again.



It's just a fun, historical reference. Same goes for the inclusion of Babyface Nelson. Neither is a direct reference to the Odyssey.
Click to expand...

Wish I could give this more 'likes.' You are good.:hi:
 
#8
#8
Bama, can you remind me what the lotus eaters are about? I don't remember that part of the Odyssey.
 
#9
#9
n_huffhines said:
Bama, can you remind me what the lotus eaters are about? I don't remember that part of the Odyssey.
Click to expand...

Ulysses' crew eats the fruit offered by the Lotus-Eaters, and become lethargic. Some of them completely forget that they're on their way home. This is what allows them to be captured by the cyclops.

OBWAT plays with the order of events quite a bit.
 
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#10
#10
1. The blind man represents Tiresias who is a blind fortune teller who tells Odysseus he will endure a long journey.

2. The religious folk in white gowns represent the Lotus eaters which took the crew in when they went off course and gave them lotus to eat which made them care free about anything especially their journey. Odysseus had to force the crew back to the ship. I'm not sure why they referred to them as a "colony of gophers", maybe they meant "gofer" as an insult to religion.

3. Tommy Johnson represents Athena who secretly helps Odysseus on his journey. If you notice, every time they encounter him in the movie, thing always end up going their way.
 
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#11
#11
thehardknoxlife said:
1. The blind man represents Tiresias who is a blind fortune teller who tells Odysseus he will endure a long journey.

2. The religious folk in white gowns represent the Lotus eaters which took the crew in when they went off course and gave them lotus to eat which made them care free about anything especially their journey. Odysseus had to force the crew back to the ship. I'm not sure why they referred to them as a "colony of gophers", maybe they meant "gofer" as an insult to religion.

3. Tommy Johnson represents Athena who secretly helps Odysseus on his journey. If you notice, every time they encounter him in the movie, thing always end up going their way.
Click to expand...

That makes sense. Thank you :hi:
 
#12
#12
thehardknoxlife said:
3. Tommy Johnson represents Athena who secretly helps Odysseus on his journey. If you notice, every time they encounter him in the movie, thing always end up going their way.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I agree with that interpretation.

I took a class in college where this made up about a week's worth of conversation, and a couple of people make that argument. But Athena was more helpful to Telemachus, Ulysses' son, than she was directly helpful to Ulysses. I was more into the idea that Johnson represented Telemachus, in that he is on a separate, but corresponding journey.

In the end, neither allusion completely comes together for me. I think Johnson is more of a composite character than a direct allusion to the poem.
 
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#13
#13
I may have some more questions, later. My wife informed me that she has never seen the movie from beginning to end. I am going to make sure she does and may come back with more queries.
 
#18
#18
I don't want Fop, Go* *amn it! I'm a Dapper Dan man!
 
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