Big Lebowski Essay
1) Introduction
The Big Lebowski’s image of the American Dream falls afar from its traditional associations. The movie’s commentary on American society centers on the American dream and its anti-hero, the Dude, providing a counter-dimensionality created through the interplay of events and characters.
The Dude has never tried to achieve the American dream since he is aware that the ideal is actually an illusion people struggle to achieve, yet usually end up in frustration. His situation appears as a conscious choice, and he enjoys his personal dream – a rather simplified life in his little close community in Los Angeles. He is usually seen bowling, driving around, drinking White Russians –also chasing his rug. Unemployed, he does not seem to be looking for a job either. Even though he gives the …show more content…
As late capitalism has risen, “ an inverted millenarianism in which premonitions of the future, catastrophic or redemptive, have been replaced by the end of this and that (the end of ideology, art, or social class; the crises of Leninism, social democracy, or the welfare state, etc., etc.)” (Jameson, 1991: 1). The postmodern era has occurred as a loss of orientation where people don’t believe in master narratives, totalization or salvation any more and are fed up with the expectations of a capitalist society. In that frame, The Big Lebowski fans find relief in the Dudeness philosophy. They accept the things, as they are, -as nothing can be done to change them- and enjoy the Dude’s laid-back, relaxed approach towards life. Hundreds of clubs and festivals around the world celebrate the so-called Dudeism. The annual Lebowskifests, for example, are held in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, Austin, Seattle, London, Edinburgh and many other cities where people gather together for the sake of Dudeness (cf
The Big Lebowski’s image of the American Dream falls afar from its traditional associations. The movie’s commentary on American society centers on the American dream and its anti-hero, the Dude, providing a counter-dimensionality created through the interplay of events and characters.
The Dude has never tried to achieve the American dream since he is aware that the ideal is actually an illusion people struggle to achieve, yet usually end up in frustration. His situation appears as a conscious choice, and he enjoys his personal dream – a rather simplified life in his little close community in Los Angeles. He is usually seen bowling, driving around, drinking White Russians –also chasing his rug. Unemployed, he does not seem to be looking for a job either. Even though he gives the …show more content…
As late capitalism has risen, “ an inverted millenarianism in which premonitions of the future, catastrophic or redemptive, have been replaced by the end of this and that (the end of ideology, art, or social class; the crises of Leninism, social democracy, or the welfare state, etc., etc.)” (Jameson, 1991: 1). The postmodern era has occurred as a loss of orientation where people don’t believe in master narratives, totalization or salvation any more and are fed up with the expectations of a capitalist society. In that frame, The Big Lebowski fans find relief in the Dudeness philosophy. They accept the things, as they are, -as nothing can be done to change them- and enjoy the Dude’s laid-back, relaxed approach towards life. Hundreds of clubs and festivals around the world celebrate the so-called Dudeism. The annual Lebowskifests, for example, are held in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, Austin, Seattle, London, Edinburgh and many other cities where people gather together for the sake of Dudeness (cf