A Melodious Journey
O Brother, Where Art Thou is a film directed by Ethan and Joel Coen and is based on the Odyssey. The film follows Joseph Campbell’s monomyth, especially the stages of departure, initiation and return. These stages are demonstrated by the main characters, Ulysses, Pete and Delmar. The film uses music to develop the stages and guides the journey. The journey begins with the group escaping a chain gang and unknowingly recording a song, and throughout their journey they cause plenty of trouble but their reputation is restored when they sing their song again. The group’s journey is influenced by music.
Firstly, Ulysses, Pete and Delmar escape from a chain gang where they break rocks in harsh conditions. They escape because Ulysses convinces Pete and Delmar about a secret treasure. Some days after escaping they sing a song at a radio broadcast station called “Wezy”. The group believe that they are singing to be paid, but their song is actually being recorded. This is the stage of Departure accompanied by the sub stage called Supernatural Aid. In the substage of Supernatural Aid a mentor presents the hero with one or more artifacts that helps them later in the journey. At this point the group has started…show more content… These women are called the Sirens. The Sirens drug the three men with corn whiskey, making them lose consciousness. Later, Delmar and Ulysses wake up to find that Pete is missing. Later in the story they find out that Pete was given to the authorities by the women. This is the stage of Initiation accompanied by the sub-stage of Temptation. In the substage of Temptation an offer or personal gain tempts the hero to stray away from their journey. The Sirens’ temptations interfere immensely with the group’s journey. It leads to Delmar believing that Pete has been turned into a toad and leaves them worrying for
