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Larry's an exaggerated version of what a lot of people do. He thinks that if he just stays in his lane and doesn't raise a fuss, the world will come to him. And in a way, that almost happens-- he stays in his lane, and he still gets tenure, avoids the suit, keeps his family ostensibly together. But, by not actively taking part in his fate, and thus killing the metaphorical dybbuk, he also invites greater calamity on himself- he's going to die, and so is his kid. The whole movie, I had the reaction of wanting to slap Larry around and tell him to get active in his life. However, I know that anyone looking in on anyone's life might do the same, and we do not have the obvious blinking signs in front of us that Larry does.
Actually, the Coens do something that Kevin Smith did in Clerks- Larry's "I didn't do anything!" is analogous to Dante's "I'm not even supposed to be here today!"- a reaction in passive disgruntlement and acceptance of one's fate, rather than an attitude of making the best of what's in front of you.
In fact, you don't have to be Jewish at all to get it-- you just have to be American. "I didn't do anything!" is a statement of entitlement and exceptionalism that fits right on in with the period of the film and the arc of American history. --------------------------------- Photo zine(some images NSFW): http://bit.ly/USaSPhoto
"This (and every, actually) conversation needs more Chesterton and less Mike Francesa." - Walleye
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