Why is everyone assuming that the cat has a deep meaning?
It's just a cat, for Christ's sake. It's not meant to hold any particular, deep meaning. All he wants is milk and occasionally be petted.
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MovieChat Forums > Inside Llewyn Davis (2014) Discussion > Why is everyone assuming that the cat ha...
Why assume the cat has some deeper meaning? Because usually something repeatedly shown isn't just there randomly. Someone wrote the thing or person or, in this case an animal into the story for a reason. If a cat happens to be in a scene in the background that's one thing. When a cat plays a big part of many scenes, well, that's another thing altogether.
shareThe Coen's give hints about themes.... like a dream or a puzzle.
you may well be right about the cat and no one will ever know.
... When Llewyn says he is not the cat but he has the cat.. I think it means he has the talent. Sometimes artists are referred to as 'the talent' ..like on a work sheet. OH OH I'm rambling again..
Old Bee Party V Swirled
I assume the cat symbolizes an ongoing theme that Llewyn is a screw-up at everything he does except singing.
sharemacguffin
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People feeding milk to cats are ignoramuses. Cats are intolerant to lactose and will develop diarrhea if they eat milk.
shareAll cats are not lactose intolerant.
shareNearly all adult mammals, including humans, are, I believe. Nevertheless, they can all drink some milk without problems, but they just can't chug it down like Europeans.
It's about how audaciously you are carrying on in calm.
The Coens have form in this area. Their films are packed with symbols with unravelling meanings. It's usually something that people are searching for or chasing. The bros are philosophy majors, things like the cat are never just plot devices
There's the hat in Millers Crossing
The rug in the Big Lebowski
Also hula hoops, metaphysical explanations of the world, dry cleaning, a screenplay etc etc etc
It's worth noting that the cat he brings back to the Gorfeins looks like the real thing, but on closer investigation turns out to be fake. Llewyn wants to find it, but it ends up coming back to the Gorfeins of its own accord. If that's not a metaphor for Llewyn chasing, faking, misappropriating "cool" I don't know what is.
Are you trollin' me? The cat is named Ulysses for cryin out loud, and the film kept that a big secret until the very end. Ulysses is the Roman name of Odysseus, the hero of Homer's The Odyssey who is famous for taking a 10 year road trip on his way home from the Trojan war. Llewyn goes on a road trip, the cat(s) go on road trips. Furthermore, the Coen brothers made O Brother Where art Thou? - a modern day adaptation of The Odyssey, so we know they like that story. What else do you need? Bright pink arrows pointing to the cat saying "this is symbolic"?
exactly! But it's still a McGuffin.
shareBy the way - female ginger cats are very very rare.
shareThis is true - and I have one!
She's almost 15 now, adopted as a rescued feral cat (found in an alley at about 6 weeks old) - it took nearly 2 years before she would allow anyone to get close enough to touch her! Now, she's constantly at my side, no matter what room I'm in - even the john...
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"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."
This is true - and I have one!
She's almost 15 now, adopted as a rescued feral cat (found in an alley at about 6 weeks old) - it took nearly 2 years before she would allow anyone to get close enough to touch her! Now, she's constantly at my side, no matter what room I'm in - even the john...
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"Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."
> The cat is named Ulysses for cryin out loud, and the film kept that a
> big secret until the very end.
Actually, I think that was a joke. Lillian is merely making a mythological reference, comparing her cat to "Ulysses" BECAUSE he found his way home. It is Llewyn who cluelessly asks "The cat's name is Ulysses?" We never hear her answer.
But that does not mean the reference to the Odyssey is not meant to be significant.
I dont think its a joke actually. In the audition for Bud, Llewyn sings about the Gate of Horn, which takes its name from a passage in the Odyssey.
shareAre you trollin' me? The cat is named Ulysses for cryin out loud, and the film kept that a big secret until the very end. Ulysses is the Roman name of Odysseus, the hero of Homer's The Odyssey who is famous for taking a 10 year road trip on his way home from the Trojan war. Llewyn goes on a road trip, the cat(s) go on road trips. Furthermore, the Coen brothers made O Brother Where art Thou? - a modern day adaptation of The Odyssey, so we know they like that story. What else do you need? Bright pink arrows pointing to the cat saying "this is symbolic"?
So what you are saying is the meaning is blindingly obvious if you have knowledge of ancient Rome, greek mythology and the know the detailed background to the Coen's other films.
Yes that sums up the average movie going audience.
When I heard Ulysses I assumed there was a James Joyce connection but I've never read it.
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Every detail in every movie is supposed to "have a meaning" judging my this forums.
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