What Certainties Survive?: Analysis of The Gal Who Got Rattled (The Ballad of Buster Scruggs)

[@aaindtharivalan8720]

"Arthur did not know what to say to Billy Knapp"

[@moneo007]

This story is captivating. It's my favorite.

[@Steve.From_Saturn1]

@@moneo007nah the first one

[@noir-214]

​@moneo007 My top 3 are the Ballad of Buster scruggs, All Gold Canyon, and this one

[@Steve.From_Saturn1]

@noir-214 what about near algodones to me its better than the gal who got rattled

[@Steve.From_Saturn1]

1. the ballad of buster scruggs 2. all gold canyon 3. near algodones 4. the gal who got rattled 5. the mortal remains 6. meal ticket

[@scoon6196]

To more add on to this uncertainty, my favorite line from this whole chapter comes from what’s written on the page at the very end. “Mr. Arthur had no idea what he would say to Billy Knapp.” Alongside a picture of Mr. Arthur, his rifle, and President Pierce, walking back to the caravan.

[@michaelheintzelman1903]

There exists no 'uncertainty'. You saw what happened. If that isn't 'clear', research what the filmmakers have to say.

[@carboluka]

​@@michaelheintzelman1903who knows what happens afterwards tho

[@michaelheintzelman1903]

@@carboluka Obviously, but hardly the point.

[@fgoindarkg]

​@@michaelheintzelman1903 If you think the Coens ever tell the truth about anything then you're the fool at the table.

[@JordanBellfort23]

Did anybody hear the Shot from Alice killing herself? I did not

[@ryanspengler4877]

I always took the "Don't walk backwards!" scene to also foreshadow the "dog hole!" shoutouts from Mr. Arthur when the war party's horses start falling because all of the adults in the caravan would be experienced enough to know of such dangers on the journey and actually seeing the prarie dogs is to remind us of this much later. The woman didn't want her son blindly falling in and breaking his leg, as the horses will. I also believed that the three shots at Pierce weren't because William was too inexperienced and botched the job, a trail boss would have no problem with such a task, but because he intentionally tried to scare the dog away because he was simply too kind to kill the innocent dog. It's the way he says something to the effect of, "We won't be seeing him again," that makes it sound purposeful. Great video about an incredible film!

[@xavier84623]

I assumed billy let the dog live. The way he says it kinda seems to hint that. Also, it helps her fall in love with him, and also, makes him particularly responsible for her death. I’m pretty sure that’s a valid reading.

[@osio7528]

Yeah, I think he let the dog live as well

[@LymanAlphaBlob]

I'm with you here. Missing a tame dog would be shameful for a wagon train guard, especially one employed by/with Arthur who clearly has some marksmanship training.

[@kingforaday8725]

In addition to great stories I was also impressed by the great cinematography of this movie!

[@unavozenelviento]

Is because was directed by the Coen brothers my friend

[@BuckyNugget]

This made me appreciate how Alice's tragic fate drew out the humanity of Mr. Arthur. 😢

[@CoffeeKillersClub]

It also showcases how dynamic people are given the situation they are presented with, and how multifaceted any one person can be.

[@JohnR22926]

What a pity so few have seen this film. IMO one of the best coen brothers films. Superb dialogue and acting.

[@RicooRichmond]

Don't know if anyone noticed that old woman's name was Ms. Holliday. Doc Hollidays mother died of Tuberculosis and passed in onto him as well. The timeline would line up fairly accurately.

[@lpheaven327]

The Sundance kids name is also a longabough

[@zynga726]

Nice catch!

[@WT_Bolt]

Who is doc holiday

[@YouseeatortoiseLeon]

I always felt that this was the best of the stories because of its complexity. I always felt there were a number of slides subtleties that were posed in the middle passage that would lead to a resolution of a conflict, but as you say, my expectations were subverted, but pleasantly so so.

[@sweetd5953]

Yes, good point on the Cholera. Glances between Alice and her anemic looking brother at dinner table suggest he's been sick for awhile. Probably moving west, which was often suggested for people suffering from tuberculosis, was a major motivating factor for the journey. Likely he lied to his sister about all of it so he wouldn't be alone. But yes...not sure why it would be called Cholera, maybe to suggest general ignorance of the day?

[@duby9811]

Duh, even now, general ignorance grows in Mexico, africa and Asia

[@charlesmichaelschmitt6412]

@@duby9811 I agree, in London and New York after 1880s Cholera was identified through infected water, A Vector of infection, raspatory infections didn't become identified until virology later in medicine.

[@livewire2759]

Sure, TB sufferers were known to head west, but not NW to Oregon which is mostly rainforest, they headed SW to the deserts of New Mexico and Arizona, since humidity can exacerbate the illness. I believe you're right about them assuming it was cholera due to their medical ignorance... after all, there were a LOT of diseases around back then that have since been mostly eliminated due to vaccines. Hell, it could have simply been the flu, considering that he was vomiting, which can easily dehydrate a person, and water is rather scarce on the high plains where they were travelling. It is a bit odd, however, that nobody else got sick, as contagious as influenza can be...

[@Direfloof]

A wonderful bit of cinematography is that Arthur’s gun hand physically comes from off screen before he’s scalped. In the most literal terms a film can speak, his survival is unknowable until the last possible moment.

[@TheSaltydog07]

I love to listen to interesting takes on film and comments that follow. Thank you❤

[@mjbabicful]

Stellar analysis. I've watched this at least 10 times and you pointed out things I hadn't noticed. That's also a testament to the richness of this chapter.

[@LanguageFilm]

Thank you! It's really an amazing bit of cinema.

[@starwarstheme1]

The writing in this story is boss level, I enjoy the entire dialogue of this story like sipping a fine wine... the nuances, the folksiness of it, th research of expressions and demeanor people of the era had, and yes even before I saw this video I caught all of the subtle hints in dialogue and conversation that would reference future events in the plot... Ive gone back to watch TBOBS and toggled straight to "The Gal Who Got Rattled" to just watch that story... and dang it every time it reaches the end where the final shot blends with the book art with the caption "Mr. Arthur had no idea what he would say to Billy Knapp." I always find myself teary eyed... every darn time. One of my favorite westerns.

[@lmbilello]

I enjoy Coen films but I'm definitely not a film critic. I know uncertainty is an ongoing theme of theirs but Alice's death isn't the result of uncertainty. It's her uncharacteristic certainty (given the previous scene with Knapp regarding her wishy-washy nature) that her death is the best path forward that drives that decision. It's typical of the Coen's that it turns out it was an unnecessary step & alluds to Knapp's statement that 'certainty' is rarely justified. Regardless, she signed her death warrant when she wandered off alone in the prairie, not when she shot herself. I enjoyed her character growth but it seemed at the expense of her common sense. Her laugh & joy when she's holding the dog, as if the dog's return & survival is mirroring her own future, was touching. But it's juxtaposition next to her imminent death was jarring (I'm sure intentionally). However, given that her death was ultimately unnecessary, this plot choice made a bit of a mockery of her final act of taking control of her life (through death). Her growth as a character was as pointless as her death & left me feeling kind of sad & empty at the same time. That said, I enjoyed the analysis above & the movie.

[@LanguageFilm]

Hi Lisa, I'm not a film critic either...just a language nerd who likes the Coens! So your interpretation is as valid as mine. I agree with you that her death is a "mockery" of her whole journey until then. Yes, it's sad and empty, and one reason why I feel like this is the Coens at their most nihilistic and cynical. They spend so much time on her and Billy's growing relationship and then pull the rug out from under us. Yeah, she does lack some common sense. It's hard to know how much time elapses over the course of the story, but it feels like not very long...no more than a few of weeks at most. One thing I didn't mention in the video that I noticed about the structure was how the scenes alternate between day and night pretty regularly to give us a sense of time passing. But it's hard to know just how far along Alice has gone from her initial state in the opening scene until the ending. Thanks for the feedback and comment!

[@lmbilello]

​@@LanguageFilmIt's absolutely nihilistic and cynical and I'm a sucker for a happy ending so this probably won't be a repeat watch for me but the growing relationship was very well done. I agree, they did a great job creating a sense of time through day/night scene. I really enjoy your videos! I feel like you mentioned No Country for Old Men in either this video or another one, are you planning on covering that film at some point?

[@LanguageFilm]

That's one of their best but also one of their most well-covered by KZbin video essays! :) But actually yes, I just came up with a good idea for it the other day...unfortunately, I'm not sure if I'll be able to make it soon. I have less time in the fall to devote to videos, unfortunately. But it IS definitely one of the next videos on my list to make. Thanks for supporting the channel! :)

[@kellyrhoads1067]

I may be waaaaaay off, but I truly believed while watching the conversation about certainty, that in that moment she character developed so much, that she became ‘certain’ that the best thing to do for Billy was to wander off with the yapping dog, in order to get caught by Indians. It seemed to me she came to the realization she needed to rid billy of herself. And then the next Scene, she had wandered off. I thought her giddiness about the groundhogs was her being slightly euphoric about her suicidal intentions. It sounds a little dumb now that I have written it down, but I can still sort of see it in my mind. I loved your analysis of this, because I was very confused pretty much the whole 2 hours, but yet intrigued. So I came to you tube looking for answers

[@alisterfolson]

I love this. Who knows what really went down? All we know is that she's dead, and someone's gonna get some bad news.

[@Durmomo0]

As much as All Gold Canyon was such a great triumphant moment the Gal That Got Rattled broke my heart.

[@ViaFerrataCH]

You could also say that the boy (representing us) is not supposed to look back (on the past), but to continue forward (somewhat blindly) into the future...

[@jollyjakelovell4787]

"The Gal Who Got Rattled" is the most honest of the stories from 'The Ballad of Buster Scruggs'

[@63DW89A]

The Brother had tuberculosis. Cholera was a big killer on the wagon trains west. In his weakened condition because of tuberculosis, the Brother could have easily contracted Cholera. And, according to actual journals kept by travelers on wagon trains, Cholera was a quick killer, often killing someone by nightfall who appeared healthy at sunrise.

[@tylerhollenbeck2494]

I appreciate this breakdown you broke down this scene or short story real well I got to say this is probably one of my most favorite coen brothers film

[@creationzikaz4836]

Again, brilliant analysis. You're channel is going somewhere, keep it up!

[@zjokka]

thanks so much, a very well done analysis that gives me a head start teaching this in class! Couldn't have done it without your video... 12:38 Alice's changed attitude towards the dog also (misleadingly) foreshadows her own motherhood? She's like a parent playfully rediscovering the world through the eyes of the child (President Pierce). The premise of the whole end scene is of course just Little Red Riding Hood.

[@dontribal739]

With the boy walking backward, I would say that part of the message could be to not "walk forward" but also looking backward. ORIENT YOURSELF FORWARD, and don't look back.

[@jameshartley5]

Fine Essay! I love love love this story by the Coen Brothers and you're correct: they like to "subvert expectations." In their great first film *Blood Simple* they did the same.

[@ieshaweaver4013]

This movie was not something I’d normally watch but my bf suggested it so we watched it together. I absolutely loved it. I had some questions about some parts of the movie and came across your channel and I’m hooked! I really appreciate you making these videos and your articulation. You have confirmed a lot of what I was thinking but you also have shown me so much more. Thank you 🙏🏼 ❤

[@LanguageFilm]

Awesome, thank you!

[@ahobimo732]

If you liked this movie, there are a couple other Cohen Brothers movies you'd probably like as well. Oh Brother Where Art Thou and The Ladykillers are both kinda similar to The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.

[@johnnyphever]

When I first watched it, I was convinced that the entire shootout with the war party didn't really happen. It's the story that the old man told his young partner after killing her out in the plains so he wouldn't lose his longtime friend to marriage.

[@Ashas.Garden]

Oooh. That’s dark.

[@michaelsotomayor5001]

"his easy gait showed no alarm" There may be something there that may prove your point. Arthur may ultimately be a psychopath.

[@prestonarmer277]

I thought the same thing

[@MartinSage]

What!!?

[@jameshartley5]

this chapter is based on a fine short story written about 1910 i think. It ended the same.

[@jesush7662]

Thank you for posting your analysis. I watched the movie blind only seeing clips of the buster Scruggs story. I was very confused but enjoyed the film. Watching your videos really enlightened me

[@hagengilbert8102]

Your channel is really great, I hope you get many followers so that these keep coming!

[@zynga726]

I watched a recap of this movie on another channel which led to KZbin recommending these analyses of that movie. These analyses give a lot more depth to the movie which I originally dismissed as a quirky movie based on that movie recap.

[@UncleDansVintageVinyl]

Beautifully done. Thank you, sir.

[@frankpellow]

Really enjoyed your analysis. I agree this is the best of the chapters (on my first, second and third viewing).

[@TheTVCriticorg]

Superb analysis, thanks for doing this

[@yourhomiek]

I watched this film a few times ago, but it still sometimes breaks the surface of my mind, especially this chapter. I had a theory that there was no indians at all, as the older guy wanted to keep his business and his partner, so he just got rid of the poor girl. Well, I think it doesn't really make sence, as the family man can be even more productive as his responsibility growths. I gotta say that your analysis is really interesting and does make sence. The delivery is also enjoyable. Please, don't stop

[@sequoyahwright]

I am a curious enthusiast without training or education, but I knew the Ballad of Buster Scruggs was saying much more than I saw and heard. Thank you for these analyses. I love works of art which deliver messages in multiple layers. I would enjoy more work along these lines. Any Coen Bros work of course, but also any others that seem worthy. For me, that would include the Westworld series (at least Season 1) (HBO), the Legion series (FX), anything by Eggers or Aster, Midnight Mass (Netflix), and certain video games (esp. Read Dead Redemption- either or both). Thank you for your hard work and generosity.

[@Pewpew_McGoo]

Well, I don't know what to say. President Pierce is a nervous creature and excited by animals larger than himself.

[@Homerj1117]

This was my personal favorite story of the movie

[@livestreamsfromtexas2137]

Alice also only had 1 indian she had to kill and 2 bullets. She made the choice to listen to another person instead of taking things into her own hands. She coulda been the next Annie Oakley if she put her mind to it.

[@TaufiqBangladeshiAnimalBreeder]

what about shooting accuaracy and the amount of time it takes to shoot for a person who never used firearms ever in her life.....she made the right decision based on her assumpsion.In my view,when i watched for the first time.she should have waited more to ensure the end of mr arthurs life.

[@michaelheintzelman1903]

The next Annie Oakley? Fookin ridiculous.

[@livestreamsfromtexas2137]

@@michaelheintzelman1903 Youre right. You should do the same thing she did if youre ever in a similar situation.

[@michaelheintzelman1903]

@LiveStreams FromTexas2 Haha! Absolutely. The next time I'm in western Nebraska and the wagon train is attacked by savages....fer shure!!! You might want to practice as well.

[@livestreamsfromtexas2137]

@@michaelheintzelman1903 Im comanche so ill probably be one of the ones attacking.

[@VisceralAshes]

For me only one story, the one with Tom Waites, was the one with any surprise or subversion of expectation. Each other story projected that the main person would die from the start. They setup the deaths from the start of each tale. I experienced each as only awaiting to see how the tragedies would unfold, which made seeing the prospector survive an actual subversion. I did enjoy each tale but, just like with Poe, tragedy was always the inevitable conclusion.

[@egx161]

Excellent work here with this content. Didn't the Cohens use the name? "grandma Turner" in other films? True Grit?

[@yagomizuma2275]

9:06 literally shadows her fore

[@McAmeron089III]

I just watched the last chapter again today; and,it seems I remember a dialogue the trapper had at some point on the stagecoach about not remembering how he got to be on the coach when I watched it the first time. It's got me questioning my memory. I'll try to find the movie on something other than Netflix..

[@VCBird6]

My wife and I had a debate the first time we saw this movie over whether Billy missed the dog on purpose to spare it and just shrugged it off as "Arthur is a better shot than me in these matters" He was plenty capable. He just couldn't do it. Makes Alice' fate all that much more tragic that an act of kindness caused her to lose her life in the end Although, ironically, she proved herself a harder person in the end than Billy when the time came

[@jrizzy626]

“Strait is the gate…” … “and narrow is the way, indeed”

[@LanguageFilm]

It was studying for this video that I finally found out that it’s not “straight & narrow.” 🤔

[@danmcconnell5941]

Interesting about the dog…and it’s called President Pierce, named after the president who was an aggressive expansionist who forced many tribes in the PNW onto reservations.

[@_enchan0426]

Can be a plague? Start of a plague? Yep. Uncertain.

[@BrettonFerguson]

This was my favorite story in the film also.

[@MegaJackpinesavage]

A recurring Coen Bros theme throughout their movies --- "No Good Deed Goes Unpunished!"

[@seanluby]

Though i could not stop for death, death kindly stopped for me. That's who she was

[@bethanymartin5516]

I kind of think walking backwards means; that she was freed from one man who wanted to use her and is now tied to another. It's like she's made progress and received freedom only to be thrust back where she started. Tied to her brother, tied to an unknown fiancé, then tied to the man on the trail. She's treated as a commodity as a woman, rather than a liberated human being. As a woman on those times, she has no means to make money. To be asked to pay 400 dollars, an unbelievable sum, her only hope is to find a man to pay it. She has no agency at all. In the fight, she's defenseless if he dies, and if he does die she'd be tied to a new gang of men who'd likely not kill her but use her. It's sort of poetic and sad. Just my way of reading it.

[@LanguageFilm]

10/10 agree and I really like that reading of "walking backwards." However, I think we can (albeit generously) read Billy Knapp's marriage proposal as being a route for Alice to be something of an equal partner in their relationship, given how favorably he is portrayed (his only fault is being unable to kill a defenseless animal). He doesn't seem to treat her as a commodity the way her brother does. I see their possible future together as "progress" compared to her starting situation (but your reading makes sense too). It's definitely not a feminist story, as she must resort to the guidance and protection of the men around her throughout. But there is a scene where Billy basically says if she declines his proposal, they'll try to find another solution, and he doesn't want to present marrying himself as her only alternative. And she seems inclined to accept his offer for more reasons than just settling the debt. You're right...it is unfortunate that Alice's "agency" appears limited to accepting a marriage proposal...though regrettably that's probably not too far off from the historical reality of the time period. Yikes!

[@bethanymartin5516]

@@LanguageFilm Totally, he's definitely characterized positively. But in my eyes she still lacks the freedom she gained for a brief moment.

[@duby9811]

All that writing just to get it wrong lmao A for effort

[@grogery1570]

That does fit with the theme of other stories in this film. That the characters don't die because of choices they made, but die due to a set of circumstances beyond their control.

[@boxtupos7718]

@@grogery1570 What's sad about this one is the girl finally made a decision of her own; It was just that it was the wrong decision.

[@Direfloof]

I know it’s not meant to be the case, as the characters are not played by the same actor, but on my first watch I thought that the gold thief from the canyon and the money-demanding trail hand were the same person. It’s a head canon I entertain as a thematic depiction of greed.

[@tashuntka]

Great....I'm binging your stuff as I type 👍🙏😬😜😆😱🤯🤐

[@whatup8427]

Does anyone know what the end text says on this chapter? Like we can read a little of it but not all and i have been reading scripts trying to find out what it says. Also the page next to it i think it was telling us her thoughts.

[@JordanBellfort23]

Did anybody hear the shot from Alice killing herself ? I did not 🤔

[@rory_pond1701]

It's fun to play with causality, but the simple fact is that Mr. Arthur's advice (along with his providing Alice the gun) is the leading cause of Alice's death. The dog alone bears no responsibility, as it isn't until Arthur tells Alice what he thinks the war party will do to her and gives her the means to end herself that her death is all but certain.

[@richardarnez4932]

The sole attribute of causality is that there is no beginning or end to the line. So I agree that in the very narrow window you're providing that yes Mr Arthur gave the gun and the instruction that ultimately led to her death, but it was actually her inexperience in life that was the cause of her death. Mr Arthur had grown up knowing the different outcomes and possibilities of living outside of a domestic lifestyle, and the right moment to pull the trigger on either someone or yourself, and it was because of her unfamiliarity with death that she "jumped the gun". The entire film is basically a comment on how modern civilized people are becoming less and less acquainted with death. At one time, you lived and died in the house that you grew up in, which meant you watched every single older family member die in your house and we're well acquainted with death. And now, when our grandparents show the slightest sign of their declining health, we rush them to a nursing home where we don't have to watch them eventually die. Then the funeral home comes and takes your loved one and helps facilitate the burial process, when at one time you just had to dig a hole in your backyard and bury your grandma with your own hands, and your children had to watch you do so, if not help. What I don't agree with is that you can put your finger on one instance and say, "THIS is what caused it". There are two sides we are viewing, the REAL sides of life and death, and the Bonanzaesque representation of them that humans generally prefer. "The people in the story are us....but not us".

[@adstryker5084]

The leading cause of Alice's death is Alice. In retrospect Arthur might wish he hadn't given her that advice, but why would anyone with a normal will to live kill themselves before they absolutely had to? Given the fact that Arthur said there were two bullets in the pistol -- an assertion she should have verified for herself -- a reasonable person would have waited for that last Indian to close to within a few yards and shot him with the first bullet. Then, if he was still advancing, that reasonable person would have to decide what to do with the last bullet.

[@thewolverine3045]

@@adstryker5084 I had the same point that i commented with my gf when we watched this movie. - Alice jump the shark, because she had two bullets- but obviously I got defeated with a simple. - ‘ well, that’s what you said because you’re thinking like a man’ …. yes and no.

[@kobanebook9888]

Its not "what he thinks the war party would do" its literally what they would do, rape and kill

[@sequoyahwright]

I found it 100% believable that Alice would not think to check the rounds in the revolver, or even necessarily know how to do so if she were so inclined, considering her upbringing. Even today, I am consistently amazed at how ignorant adults can be considering the handling and operation of firearms. Regarding matters of combat and life and death, it is proven that most people, even professionally trained soldiers, do not normally want to kill anyone, and will hesitate to do so as long as they can, in general. This is one of many driving reasons modern military training in the USA is as it is. Mr. Arthur is obviously experienced in armed combat, and undoubtedly had at least some idea how things would go when he told her what he did. According to historical accounts, he was likely not too far off, and it would've been similar if the circumstances were reversed. War is hell, as they say. It is easy for us to say that she should have fought to the end, but in reality, very few of us would have the fortitude to do so when outnumbered and outclassed so badly by enemies. Considering that Alice is a young woman of her times, from a very sheltered upbringing even for the period, and had likely never even held a weapon in her hands before, nor seen the likes of a party of fierce, painted warriors riding down on her on horseback, I would have been absolutely disappointed is she had even tried to fight. As it was, I was a bit surprised she had the resolve to self-terminate, as naïve as she was, but if the Coen bros intended this as an expression of subversion, I can see the narrative value of it, in which case, I say it is still damn well done.

[@michaelheintzelman1903]

The indian attack is arguably the most realistic in all of cinema history.

[@MyNamesDEADMAN]

Eh it was really rare they'd attack coach trains so in that sense it isn't but the battle tactics are quite real. The intimidation definitely

[@michaelheintzelman1903]

@MyNamesDEADMAN They weren't attacking the wagon train. It was only the two seemingly vulnerable stragglers miles away from group protection. Pay attention.

[@christophercolasurdo919]

@@michaelheintzelman1903Yeah Arthur even makes a point of saying more or less this. They leave the trains alone, but they aren’t with the train.

[@GodyP]

Right next to Rambo

[@elwray3506]

Is this here Grandma Turner the same Grandma Turner, who shared bed with little Maddie in "True Grit" though?

[@garybraden7865]

Grandma Turner turns up in True Grit as well.

[@jamesmata2945]

This was a just slice of life story. Such was life back then. People killed for no reason really.

[@soothsayer2406]

Love your videos and work... please collaborate with Collative Learning for an ultimate Film Analysis team up podcast.

[@nickdarr7328]

Coughing is just shorthand in movies for being sick

[@charlesmichaelschmitt6412]

So, the discrepancy between Cholera and Tuberculosis: Coughing and dog barking; Pres Pierce and Alice are connected, Gilbert owns or has priority statutes to their condition, Alice was nervous. Pres Pierce was reluctant in dying, Alice being nervous and also slighted; took the easy course of action killing her sick brother. He could have been fatigued, etc. Coughing caused Pres Pierce to bark! Just my personal opinion.

[@hallamhal]

Now what's the significance of Mr Arthur yelling "dog hole!" every time a horse trips in a dog hole?

[@astrotrek3534]

Dog hole!

[@wesleyhargis5115]

Typhoid fever would potentially include a cough. But it untreated normally still takes a few weeks to kill someone. I think the only good explanation is that this was an oversight by the writers. They could have gone with a stroke or the like as cause of death bur that's not what we got. Still a blemish in a beautiful analogy is acceptable

[@MrMycotic]

I believe that the dog is death from the last story. He’s there as a distraction and the Native Americans are the “thumpers” I also found it unsettling that she was laughing and smiling with an animal that is supposed to be dead. Furthermore foreshadowing her death, “Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back.” - Marcus Aurelius

[@michaelsotomayor5001]

20:55 I don't think there is an error in respects to the "cholera" disease... back in the day in Spain they would say "me da colera" interchangeably with "me da coraje" both expresses frustration to the point of disgust (in other words Gilberts frustration). Also cholera is a disease that spreads in areas where there is no proper treatment for drinking water. I think this "cholera" in the movie, is a disease of ideas. A disease spread in a commune. Gilbert, Alice's brother, represented the idea of slavery or racism. An idea that is diseased. He represents the dying reality of men owning humans as property. A reality that President Pierce was trying to quell or cull in which was his presidency. Gilbert wants to kill Pierce (like they did with Lincoln) but the general sentiment is no longer to that point. There may be a tie with the landlady mentioning to eat the half plate of food off of grandma as in 'eat the lessons from her plate' (cholera). Because I can say this with certainty, now that I've met people in Dallas; their grandparents still held on to certain views... and trust me they were a bit out there in terms of racist.

[@Reprodestruxion]

They’re not savages , it’s their land and it’s how they were used to battle and in this case forestall the invasion of said lands

[@mpalfadel2008]

Just found out a couple of days ago one of my direct ancestors was Bat Masterson, Dodge City Lawmen, n that other family members left Missouri for Oregon when the Oregon Trail opened in 1840 I surprised they survived the journey as well as that family fables can turn out to be true…

[@justinjex1]

Alice did the right thing. The brutality of the plains Indians was incredible. She would have been $exually assaulted and then brutally tortured to death. It seemed inevitable at the time she shot herself.

[@Martin-ql2bd]

Why didn't Billy come to help Arthur defend them?

[@michalsoukup1021]

Had to protect the train

[@m.hernandez1404]

I don't think the brother's death needs to make sense. People suddenly die all the time.

[@azpatriot7937]

i always enjoyed playing cowboys and Indians growing up

[@commentaccount7880]

The stereotype of natives being wolves? Bro they were fucking brutal wtf do u mean lol, sweet video tho

[@Reprodestruxion]

Or they kidnap the woman and then marry her off as a squaw

[@BrettonFerguson]

"I don't condone this portrayal of native Americans as savage wolves..." It's our christian values and morality that makes us view this behavior in a negative light. The Vikings wouldn't have viewed it as savage or abnormal. The native Americans wouldn't have viewed it as savage and abnormal. Therefore getting offended because native Americans are portrayed as savages, you are accepting the behavior is in fact savage and inferior, and christian values brought to America by whites are correct and superior. And therefore you have already lost. So many people fall for this fallacy. For other things too. Even for basic things like technology. People argue Native Americans, Sub-Saharan Africans, and other tribal people were actually advanced. they had cities with large populations. They had agriculture. They had division of labor and money like civilized folk. They had all these other inventions too. Automatically assuming living in cities is superior to tribes. Assuming agriculture is superior to hunter gatherers. Assuming having jobs is superior to making everything you need yourself. Accepting civilization is superior than tribal life is wrong IMO. It's a lie and everyone accepts it. You go to school for at least the first 18 years of your life, then you work 40 hours a week for the rest of your life. This is superior to spending everyday with your family and friends. Never working with strangers. Have you ever worked with your dad, brother, grandfather, or uncles? Roofing a house or building a shed or whatever. It isn't really work. It is work but it is fun. It isn't stressful like working a construction site with strangers. Then you will have to hunt and fish. If you accept agriculture you will need to plant for a week or two in the spring and harvest a week or two in the fall. This isn't like working 40 hours a week all year.

[@loverofyurigagarin1149]

I mean what other choice you have?

[@Brian-mp2mv]

My favorite Coen Brother's movie! The stagecoach scene with Tyne Daily was my least favorite chapter.

[@KevinPosey-xv6in]

The child walking backwards is fore showding but not for the reason given. The reason shows up when the Indians attack and their horses keep stepping into the prairie dog holes. The holes can be covered over and are a real danger to both horses and humans, especially when walking backwards.

[@theALmighty66]

All he had to do was say, "Just make sure I'm definitely dead first before you pull the trigger." Ugh

[@Puppy_Puppington]

PAN-SHOT!!!!!!

[@Craziecory]

Or both.

[@benquinneyiii7941]

Reversal

[@benquinneyiii7941]

Unsaniatry

[@williamcaseylaw]

great scene. it was what it was . don't try to rewrite history!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ArdentLion]

The torture of captives by native americans was not a stereotype. It is historical fact. It was the favorite entertainment of the Commanche.

[@castelodeossos3947]

Most interesting, Sir. Although one doesn't necessarily agree with all the observations, it does give some depth to one's understanding of the film. Worthy of mention might be that the dog's constant barking is not dissimilar to nervous coughing and that Alice's newly found freedom brings with it also the freedom for her to be foolish, straying from the caravan, thereby endangering both herself and Arthur, emphasized by her foolish laughter at the prarie dogs. A real shame is, however, the now obligatory insertion of Politically Correct virtue-signalling, which always ruin such intelligent analyses: 'Now, I'm not condoning the stereotype of Native Americans as, you know, savage wolves' (14:37). '...she's already been primed to think of the wilderness as a merciless and brutal place' (15:00). Those two observations suggest that Arthur speaks not from many years' experience on the plains but from white supremacist prejudice and that his having 'primed' Alice in his evil and unfounded way of thinking is the reason for her fatal choice. A sorry although unsurprising flaw in an otherwise intelligent and well-presented analysis.

[@chasekays81]

More tragic than "A Serious Man"? Get real.

[@makeit2927]

Or the ending of The Man Who Wasn’t There?

[@GradKat]

It was the only story in the film that I didn’t like. I couldn’t warm to the lead actress, whom I found deadly dull.

[@rottensquid]

Brilliant work, but I must say, I disagree that Alice was driven to suicide by uncertainty. Quite the opposite. After saying almost nothing, Arthur suddenly waxes loquacious, with absolute conviction, about what awaits Alice should she be captured by Indians. This sudden flood of words, in such dire circumstances, fill her world, carrying the weight of absolute certainty with them. That absolute certainty is what drove her final act. And just to twist the Coen Brothers knife, historical accounts of real frontier women who ended up "captive" among native tribes paint a picture that couldn't be more different from Arthur's lurid description. Indeed, many reports tell of women refusing to leave the tribes and return to white society, because they were treated with far more respect among the "savages."

[@spencersecrest6001]

Yea they also raped and murdered women two there male warriors from back in the day like cmon dude lol

[@ThereIsAlwaysaWay2]

Good to see subversion of expectation done properly. Not nefariously bastardized and use as an excuse/motif to push woke agendas.

[@EdgieAlias]

What the fuck are you even talking about

[@auguste980]

Come on bro, why was it so hard to simply tell the story as it was? Why did you have to go into modern politics? Those were INDIANS, and they were known for scalping people every now and then. So, no, it was not a stereotype.

[@thanksfernuthin]

Yeah. Native Americans never did anything to women. They'd give them a lollypop and let them go. Darn those stereotypes.

[@BTSArmy-ge5gf]

Thanks for calling these Jews "colonizers" which they are.

[@MartinSage]

The boy's wages is simple. Tell him ALL his wages and MORE are buried with the brother. Go get it Boy!! Regarding the couple. They have ZERO Chance to survive. She is never able to solve even the easiest problem. He can't even shoot a dog in his own hands let alone a wild indian or bad ass cattle rusler. Plus, they have NO Skills nor $$$. PLUS ...they lack good old Common Sense😱. Mr. Arthur did his young partner a blessing by giving the girl a gun.😅

[@michalsoukup1021]

We don't know if he is broke in fact I would suppose that if he has been a train boss for 15 years he would probably save some money

[@eugenehong8825]

A pointless final act. Subverting expectations = stupid endings

[@Archonus]

My least favorite story of the anthology. What a pointless, wretched little story.

[@Wastelander1337]

That's how I felt watching the entirety of the ballad of buster scruggs Most of the stories seemed pointless and incredibly depressing. Just looking at the contained narratives, most of the stories are pointless and depressing, but this channel has given me new perspective on the movie and I'll end up rewatching it soon

[@Archonus]

@@Wastelander1337 At least the actual Buster Scruggs story was entertaining. I wish the whole movie was just about him traveling around and being an outlaw.

[@c_xela]

No

[@hoopz5095]

@@Archonus "pointless" is pretty ironic considering the short's core and also an incredibly stupid criticism which i hope i don't have to explain, all in all, you just simply missed the point (if you don't like it, ok, but pointless, it flew over your head so fast, you didn't even notice it). And also, ironically, this is the most movie-like out of all the shorts, in terms of arcs, yes, but i felt like it had the most care put into the script overall too, felt the most in-depth (it was based off a tale, i think, so that helped), dualities were cool too The first story is pure fun but a whole ass movie with him, now that's a struggle, in terms of character work (talk about pointless), his death only adds to his balls-off character which was the right call from the coens I would trust the coens on making one on him, though and I also think ballad of buster is an average movie, overall

[@duby9811]

@@Wastelander1337 sorry it wasn’t marvel lmao cringe commie

[@joecollins9595]

I always assumed it was cholera. In the prarie, he walked with a waddle, as if his ass was chapped. He would have left the wagon to take a.massive bloody shit the night he died. If he didn't care what his neighbors thought of the dog barking he would not have cared if they heard him coughing. He may have very well also had TB, but I assumed he died from the bloody mud butt.

[@nyg_dbone]

You’re saying a whole Lotta nothing