![]() ![]() Who can forget the chilling effect of one’s first reading of A Good Man is Hard to Find when we realize the Misfit is executing the Bailey family members one by one. While Pulp Fiction undoubtedly takes us into the cellar of human depravity, I was reminded, after watching it, of Flannery O’Connor’s nightmare world. Meanwhile, this online reviewer explains “Why Christians Should Love Pulp Fiction.” Both authors dissect the characters, dialogue, and plot of the film, gleaning truths embedded in the story that Mr. Philosopher Mark Conrad discusses “Symbolism, Meaning and Nihilism” in the film. Most interesting are the philosophers and theologians who have weighed in on the film’s meaning. Winning numerous accolades from the international film community, Pulp Fiction has also collected endless comment and analysis from film buffs and aficionados. When it came out, Pulp Fiction was blasted for indulging our lust for gratuitous gore and gangsters, vice, violence, and innocent victims. At the depth of the film there is one scene of sexual perversion and violence that takes you into the heart of darkness. Not only is the violence graphic, but also the language and behavior is what you would expect from gangsters. ![]() It is not for the squeamish and it is certainly not a film for family viewing. Those unfamiliar with Pulp Fiction should be warned. With a plot line that destroys plot lines, and banal dialogue overlaid with shocking violence, the film has been hailed as an homage to nihilism on the one hand and an illustration of divine Providence on the other. Pumpkin and Honey Bunny are lowly bank robbers who have their eye on restaurant stick-ups, and Lance and Jody are a scumbag couple of drug pushers. Butch is a boxer who Marsellus instructs to throw a fight to cheat the bookies. Vincent and Jules are the hired killers for crime boss Marsellus Wallace. A story from deep within the underbelly of Los Angeles’ crime scene, at first the film seems to glorify gangsters, exalt addiction, and magnify mindless murder. Pulp Fiction is the violent, witty, crazy, disjointed film that made Quentin Tarantino’s reputation. So there was a meaning after all! But it was not the meaning I was expecting. But at the end of the film, and at the end of O’Connor’s stories, the light of Providence glimmers tantalizingly. ![]() Quentin Tarentino’s film “Pulp Fiction” and Flannery O’Connor’s stories smell of nihilism. ![]()
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