MovieChat Forums > A Serious Man (2009) Discussion > Themes of 'A Serious Man'

Themes of 'A Serious Man'

posted 10 years ago by Don_Cheech
9 replies | jump to latest

1. "Sometimes you have to help yourself"

It seems Larry telling Arthur this was a one of the major components of the film as well as it's message. it's ironic Larry tells Arthur this because he didn't really help himself throughout the movie. Yes, he went asked others for guidance, but never took it upon himself to change what was going on around him. The only thing he couldn't really change was the fact he was sick (which we find out at the end). The "I didn't do anything" philosophy will get you nowhere in life. Those are usually the words of a victim. If you are being mistreated, you should stand up for yourself and demand respect where it is due. No one will take you seriously if you don't. As a result, he was constantly being trampled on. This movie has several underlying themes but this is one that is more on the tangible side.

2. Prelude (Dybukka curse)

One theme that is not quite as tangible is introduced in the beginning scene where the Dybukka (or however you spell it) is stabbed and walks out the house. As far as I'm concerned, the wife was correct in saying he was a ghost and their family was cursed. On top of that, he apparently leaves no footprints in the snow.
(I doubt the Cohen brothers did this unintentionally) is it possible that these are the ancestors of Larry and the curse has carried over generations? Or is it just the Cohen brothers telling us that Dybukkas (ghosts) are real in the universe of the film? I also think Arthur might be tied up this curse (or Sy) for they both bring trouble into Larry's life. There was another thread that discussed Arthur being shot in the head as a representation of the Dybukka being casted off. This also might make sense considering Larry is soon after given his first share of luck (His boss telling him his tenure is secured). I'm sure I'm missing a few things but the Dybukka is definitely an aspect to this film.

3. Accept the mystery

Between Larry wondering why he is so misfortuned and the Dentist looking for an explanation of the inscribed teeth, the idea of not knowing the answer to everything is key to the film. Sh:t happens and sometimes we simply cannot find a reason behind it. One way to live a better life to is accept this. Now, this might be where things get a little fuzzy, but Shroaedingers cat (maybe misspelled) is undoubtedly relevant to this theme. I've looked into this concept and basically it illustrates the idea that sometimes we simply cannot know something until we observe it (dead/alive cat in box). Apparently this idea is not an example of quantum mechanics but more of a model of how nano particles act. At no point is the cat alive AND dead. We simply cannot say either because we haven't opened the box yet. I'm still not entirely sure on why the Cohen brothers put this in the film (feedback welcomed) but I sense it is simply to reiterate the "accept the mystery" concept.

I'll leave the rest of the themes up to you guys. I decided not to delve into the alleged quantum mechanic / duality theories that surround this film because I'm honestly not educated on that subject and have a hard time understanding it, although I do think the Cohens had it in mind. Anyways, great movie. Gotta love the Cohens and their philosophical ambiguity. Really gets thinking. 8/10

[–] Neuronhead 9 years ago

Thanks for that. All good points.

The first time he really did anything to directly influence an outcome himself was to change the failing grade to a passing grade, thereby bending to the will of the cheats. His life immediately got worse (with the phone call), and a tornado even shows up, possibly to literally destroy everything around him.

I choose to believe what I was programmed to believe

[–] SecondPerspective 9 years ago

Hahah, I don't know why I didn't think of that earlier. Makes me wonder what kind of statement that makes though. You tried to screw with fate, so screw you? Or you can't stand up for yourself, so meet your maker?

I find myself thinking a lot about fatalism and free will with this film. THOUGHTS AND STUFF AND THINGS.

Check out our film reviews! -- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2dmhxS4Zu1ZfyKgA4kF6PA

[–] Iron_Giant 9 years ago

My understanding is that the cat is in a state of simultaneous life/death until observed and/or interacted with, at which point one of the possibilities collapses and it becomes visibly alive or dead.

Is there a God? Or is there not? We don't/can't know for sure, which is certainly part of the movie. It's about the impossibility of knowing things with 100% certainty, and the anguish and frustration that accompanies our desire to make sense of life according to a greater purpose/plan. We want to know that things are happening on purpose and that God is in control, but that is a matter of faith. We can't have total assurance and confirmation while God remains in the box and invisible to our human senses.

I take Larry's changing the grade to be evidence of a decision (perhaps made subconsciously) after searching for meaning and divinity and coming up short. He decides that God hasn't given him a sign and a little moral slip will have no divine repercussions--then he gets cancer and a tornado threatens to take his son's life. So he took a gamble that the box was empty and he could compromise his morality and alter the grade, but it turns out he was wrong. It's a bit of a twisted punchline. Larry continues to search and question while his life gets worse and worse, but when he finally takes some initiative and acts, he does the wrong thing and apparently pays the price. Or is it all a coincidence?

The audience wants to apply a framework of meaning to Larry's story in much the same way that most humans want their own lives to make sense. The movie holds a mirror up to our own lives and desire for meaning and a divine plan. The film plays around with the question of whether or not such a purposeful framework exists, and has the perverse humor to suggest that maybe there is a divine plan for your life--and it doesn't always end well.

[–] Don_Cheech 9 years ago

^couldnt have said it better.

I also think it's worth noting his cousin (i forget his name. Walter?" That drew up an insane diagram trying explain existence. You know, that circular maze like drawing. He tried to figure it out the chaos- but obviously it's impossible. That kind of suggests the point of "accepting the mystery".

[–] Don_Cheech 9 years ago

**Arthur hahah not Walter

[–] KutWrite (1302) 5 years ago

Yes.

I was thinking,too about the fallibility of "gurus," such as Arthur and his Munuculus (new calculus?) and supposedly sage Rabbi Marshak quoting Grace Slick... inaccurately.

Near the end, with that huge board filled with math (maths as they say in England), the conclusion is still, as the old 8-balls used to say, "hazy." I think the students bustling out realize that, and so does Larry. This means that Clive was right, which supports Larry giving him a passing grade. Yes, I know Larry also did that for the money, but not 'til he felt justified.

[–] Nigelwyn (3) 4 years ago

I thought he was working on a system to gamble on card games. It seems he was too successful, which is why the cops warned him off.

[–] jewoogle (2269) 4 years ago

man this movie was weird i gotta rewatch it. saw it years ago after pirating it when i was 14 or 15. thought it was weird but i remember that one lady some rocking tits

[–] Shannon (17) 4 years ago

Hi, New to this site. I recently watched A Serious Man.

I like your thoughts on the themes. "I didn't do anything," seems to be the most important theme of the story. Inaction and the failure to accept responsibility and act on it. It reminds me of the idea that to do nothing in the face of evil, is to allow it. What makes us human is a moral responsibility to do something, even if it is only focused on our lives and those closest to us.

He knew the student was committing bribery. Just because he did nothing(not accepting the bribe) he didn't take it a step further and report the student, who could have likely cheated his way through college...unfair to others and ultimately to his own future well-being.
Of course there are several other situations where he did nothing.

I got the impression that Larry and Arthur were related to the family of the ghost and suffered the curse. At first it struck me as odd to bring a curse, that they are not responsible for, into a story that requires responsibilty. But then I realized that none of us it brought into the world free of baggage. We are all products of something. That it is not our fault in origin doesn't excuse the choices or lack of choices we make.

I have never thoroughly understood Schroeder's Cat. It seems to have a dual purpose. One is the uncertainty until one actually looks, examines. The other is the paradoxical cycle. The cat eats the poison that is released into its food. What releases the poison is the decay molecules resulting from the dead cat. The problem with these kinds of paradoxes is that they are impossible. So, I back away from the nonsense of the puzzle. That may be the point of the Cohen brothers bringing it into the story. Ultimately, I suppose we are supposed to examine our lives and determine what we can understand and affect and what we cannot.

From what I understand about Judaism, they don't believe in Heaven or Hell? You get your punishments and rewards here and now. Larry chose badly.