Film Analysis: O Brother Where Art Thou

“I am a man of constant sorrow, I’ve seen trouble all my days.” This main line sung by
Ulysses Everett T. McGill, played by George Clooney, defined the movie O Brother ,Where Art Thou. Even though this film was broadcasted in theaters fifteen years ago , it was one of directors Joel and Ethan Coen’s best works - at least in my humble opinion. I first watched this movie when I was twelve because I was a big Great Depression fanatic. Since the movie was set around that era, I quickly got a hold of a copy from the local library and watched it from beginning to the end. My first reaction was very confused yet intrigued. Although it was set in the appropriate time frame, the events and the dialogue were a bit out of place. It was not a story of sadness or depression but rather a story about this humorous yet melancholy grand adventure. Now, as I rewatch the movie I begin to realize that O Brother, Where Art Thou parallels’ Joseph Campbell Hero’s Journey. It quickly clicked in my mind as to why Everett T.
However, the first few minutes of the picture did not initiate the Monomyth. Yet, I used to believe the iconic start scene of Everett, Pete and Delmar’s running away from prison while being cuffed to each other was the call to adventure. However scene was not the first step. Although Everett was elected “leader” to find the way back home in the beginning of the film, he would probably ditch Pete and Delmar. Thus, the escape was not the initial step of the archetype. The real call to adventure was when the trio was confronted by the old, blind African American man on a seesaw flatcar. Despite Everett’s explanation for why the blind man was unemployed, the blind oracle started telling the trio about their real adventure : “ You seek a great fortune, you three who are now in chains. You will find a fortune, though it will be the one you seek” (Blind