In 2000, Homer’s Odyssey is moved on screen but in a different context: in the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?, a modern American “Odysseus” sets on his quest for home in rural Mississippi in the 1930s during the Great Depression. This adaptation closely follows the script of the epic, but with a few key changes. It shows the important differences between ancient Greek and modern values: individual glory is less emphasized while caring for family and community becomes the main focus.

Fame vs Family

The story of Odysseus’s ten-year-long journey back home highlights how he earns and receives treasures along the way and how he was to return with the glory and fame. It is clear that in Ancient Greek society fame is a crucial component of a heroic epic. Although Odysseus lost all his men along the way, he was nonetheless rewarded with plenty of fortune and won additional fame in the conflict with the suitors. From his quest, we can see popularity and glory lie at the core of Ancient Greek heroism, and are highly encouraged and admired.

Would Odysseus still be a hero today? In the adapted movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?, the answer is very clear: family has replaced fame and becomes the ultimate treasure of modern society.

During the Great Depression, millions of people were unemployed, families were migrating, and children were starving. Families became very unstable and were separated and dislocated. They moved from one place to another, but could not find stability. Different from Odysseus, who tries to bring honor and fame back home, the trio simply yearn to return home: Everett wants to be back with his family, Pete wants to start a restaurant, and Delmar wants to get back his family farm.

Unlike the Trojan War, the Great Depression was a war of people fighting for a living. Fame is only vanity if it cannot bring jobs and food. Glory is not included in the definition of heroism in the movie: the ability to provide a stable life for your family and to take responsibility for them become the priorities.

Alone vs Accompanied

Everett, like Odysseus, has companions, Delmar and Pete. They are not as smart as Everett and cannot speak as eloquently, but they trust Everett enough to follow him all the way back to his hometown. From the beginning, they are chained together by the iron manacles and the craving for home as well. Along the journey, they meet “sirens,” the “Cyclops,” Big Dan Teague, and all the other dangers. Emotionally, the trio is never separated (although Delmar thinks Pete is turned into a frog for a while). With the iron chain removed, community, family, and friendship form a stronger connection. They understand that in rural Mississippi, Odysseus will no longer be able to return home by himself.

In The Odyssey, individual heroism is praised, but a single individual is useless within the context of the Great Depression. In contrast, Everett returns home with his companions and the idea of home pulls the trio together. It encourages them to challenge Homer Stokes, the candidates for mayor, and leader of the KKK group, not to earn a name for themselves, but for the sake of Tommy’s life and unity of community.

A Loyal Bride vs a Loaf of Bread

Besides the men, contrasts between women in The Odyssey and in the movie also show the importance of family. Penny, as a reference to Penelope, completely turns her back on her husband, even when Everett comes back. She chooses the suitor over her husband, out of the consideration of her children. Dying for treasure is not an honorable death and loyalty can not be kept to the expanse of family. Penny tells her daughters that their father died in an accident disregarding the fact that she knows Everett is alive. She cannot risk the well-being of her daughters for the foolish and useless hope of her husband. Instead of sitting and weeping, Penny goes on with her life and takes care of herself and daughters. In the adaptation, Penny is one of many women who rose up as the defender of the family when male householder is absent.

Song of Hero vs Song of Home

Helen Lin

Author

Hi! I am an international student at Colgate University and I am from China! I am majoring in Studio Art and thinking about double-majoring in Geography. People and different cultural stories really fascinate me and I wish I, too, can create inspiring stories in the future.

p.s. Thank you in advance for loving my cats! 🙂