The Philosophy of the Coen Brothers. Mark T. Conard
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THE PHILOSOPHY OF POPULAR CULTURE
The books published in the Philosophy of Popular Culture series will illuminate and explore philosophical themes and ideas that occur in popular culture. The goal of this series is to demonstrate how philosophical inquiry has been reinvigorated by increased scholarly interest in the intersection of popular culture and philosophy, as well as to explore through philosophical analysis beloved modes of entertainment, such as movies, TV shows, and music. Philosophical concepts will be made accessible to the general reader through examples in popular culture. This series seeks to publish both established and emerging scholars who will engage a major area of popular culture for philosophical interpretation and examine the philosophical underpinnings of its themes. Eschewing ephemeral trends of philosophical and cultural theory, authors will establish and elaborate on connections between traditional philosophical ideas from important thinkers and the ever-expanding world of popular culture.
Series Editor
Mark T. Conard, Marymount Manhattan College, NY
Books in the Series
The Philosophy of Stanley Kubrick, edited by Jerold J. Abrams
Football and Philosophy, edited by Michael W. Austin
The Philosophy of Film Noir, edited by Mark T. Conard
The Philosophy of Martin Scorsese, edited by Mark T. Conard
The Philosophy of Neo-Noir, edited by Mark T. Conard
The Philosophy of The X-Files, edited by Dean A. Kowalski
Steven Spielberg and Philosophy, edited by Dean A. Kowalski
The Philosophy of Science Fiction Film, edited by Steven M. Sanders
The Philosophy of TV Noir, edited by Steven M. Sanders and Aeon J. Skoble
Basketball and Philosophy, edited by Jerry L. Walls and Gregory Bassham
THE PHILOSOPHY OF
THE COEN
BROTHERS
Edited by
Mark T. Conard
THE UNIVERSITY PRESS OF KENTUCKY
Copyright © 2009 by The University Press of Kentucky
Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth,
serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre College of Kentucky,
Eastern Kentucky University, The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College,
Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State
University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania
University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western
Kentucky University.
All rights reserved.
Editorial and Sales Offices: The University Press of Kentucky 663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508-4008 www.kentuckypress.com
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
The philosophy of the Coen brothers / edited by Mark T. Conard.
p. cm.—(The philosophy of popular culture)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8131-2526-8 (hardcover : alk. paper)
1. Coen, Joel—Criticism and interpretation. 2. Coen, Ethan—Criticism and interpretation. I. Conard, Mark T., 1965–
PN1998.3.C6635P45 2008
791.4302’330922—dc22 2008038678
This book is printed on acid-free recycled paper meeting
the requirements of the American National Standard
for Permanence in Paper for Printed Library Materials.
Manufactured in the United States of America.
Member of the Association of
American University Presses
Contents
Part 1. The Coen Brand of Comedy and Tragedy
Raising Arizona as an American Comedy
The Human Comedy Perpetuates Itself: Nihilism and Comedy in Coen Neo-Noir
Philosophies of Comedy in O Brother, Where Art Thou?
No Country for Old Men: The Coens’ Tragic Western
Deceit, Desire, and Dark Comedy: Postmodern Dead Ends in Blood Simple
Part 2. Ethics: Shame, Justice, and Virtue
“And It's Such a Beautiful Day!” Shame and Fargo
Rebecca Hanrahan and David Stearns
Justice, Power, and Love: The Political Philosophy of Intolerable Cruelty
Shai Biderman and William J. Devlin