What are the dominant thoughts that run through the six stories in The Ballad of Buster Scruggs?

Alden 2021-12-02 08:01:26

Obviously, one sentence can be summed up: the uncertainty of everything .

The whole movie is full of various uncertainties. The fifth story reveals the mystery, and it is also the one with the most reversals. To quote the line from Story 5: " Uncertainty is the right way for everything in this world. The only thing we can be sure of is the next life. Everything we see and touch is unsure whether it is true or not. From ancient times to the present, What can be truly certain? "

"The only thing we are sure about is the next life."-This sentence seems not easy to understand, I personally think it should mean: The only thing that is certain is that we will all die. ——This sentence corresponds exactly to the sixth story, and it is seamless.

Story 6 is the pinnacle of uncertainty , and also the most difficult and connotative story. I'm thinking, should I make a separate diagram?

"The Ballad of Buster Scruggs" I can't even determine the meaning of the title. If the title can be changed, I will change it to "One Hundred Thousand Uncertainties . "

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Extended Reading

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs quotes

  • Buster Scruggs (segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs"): I'd like me a splash of whiskey to wash the trail dust off my gullet and keep my singing voice in fettle.

    Cantina Bartender (segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs"): Whiskey's illegal. This is a dry country.

    Buster Scruggs (segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs"): [points to the other customers] Well, what are they drinking?

    Cantina Bartender (segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs"): ...whiskey. They's outlaws.

  • Englishman (segment "The Mortal Remains"): They're so easily taken when they are distracted, people are. So I'm the distractor, with a little story, a little conversation, a song, a sparkle... and Clarence does the thumping while their attention is on me.

    Irishman (segment "The Mortal Remains"): He is very good, this one. You should see him.

    Englishman (segment "The Mortal Remains"): No, *he* is good!

    Irishman (segment "The Mortal Remains"): [shrugs] I *can* thump.