Theory of the Stranger

[DigitalBuddha]

Some crazy fucks believe that the Stranger was only a figment of the Dude's imagination or perhaps an occasional flashback he was talking to. I believe that this was a possibility except for the fact the the Stranger spoke to Gary when he ordered a sarsaparilla.  Seems like bullshit to me, but other dudes and dudettes might think otherwise.

[ZenDudeist]

I don't get these imaginary character theory's. I heard a guy on the Lebwoski Podcast site expound a theory that stated that Donny was not a real person even, but only Walter's imaginary friend, perhaps a fallen comrade from Vietnam. His justification for this was that The Dude never directly acknowledges Donny.

To be sure I watched the movie again and there at least three times, once directly, where the Dude does directly acknowledge Donny.


1. 'My rug, Donny...' Said to Donny in an early scene where he is trying to ascertain the facts of the whole Chinaman issue.


2. Thank you, Donny!' Said to Donny, by The Dude, after Donny informs Dude that his phone is ringing.


3. And finally, in what I believe, shoots this theory into the ground, you have the scene where Dude rushes to Donny's side after his apparent heart attack wondering if he's perhaps been shot amidst the confusion of the battle with nihilists.


Now, for a second let's just say that Donny is a figment of Walter's imagination that the Dude has learned to live with, just to avoid conflict. Why would he then go out of his way, during the midst of the fight even, to check on the wellbeing of a fictional person?

And then, skipping the funeral, you have the closing remarks by the Stranger remarking on how he 'didn't like seeing Donny go'.... Now if Donny had been a fake, a phony, a fucking goldbricker from Walter's post Vietnam guilt etc... Would it not be a positive thing that Donny finally decided to cross over to the other side? And furthermore, leaving that point aside, if The Stranger is also *not real* you then have one of The Dude's lucid imaginary friends commentating on the demise of one of Walter's imaginary friends. Which uh, doesn't, ya know, make sense.

[DigitalBuddha]

Walter would be a weird fuck for sure if he ran around town constantly shouting out "Shout the fuck up, Donny" if no one was around! 

[ZenDudeist]

Yeah, I have a habit of saying that now whenever I'm pissed off in general, not like seriously or anything, but like when the old computers running slow, or I'm out of oat sodas... I find quoting the Great Walter Sobchack when you are stressed out can really relieve some tension...

[Andrea D.]

Dudes, the stranger is some kind of Dude's admirer, just like us.
This is very clear in the beginning.
"But I'll tell you what, after seeing Los Angeles and thisahere story I'm about to unfold--wal, I guess I seen somethin' ever' bit as stupefyin' as ya'd see in any a those other places, and in English too, so I can die with a smile on my face without feelin' like the good Lord gypped me."
He's not a dude's flashback, the dude is not the type of selfish-dude that will imaginate a stranger talking about him all the time, of course selfish persons are not dudeist, they're human paraquats.

PD: Excuse my english, i'm trying to do the best i can.I hope that somebody understand.Dios m?o.
Abide.

[ZenDudeist]

You're doing fine Dudette.... Good observations.

[Bill]

Actually, I always thought the Stranger was a Dude from the 1800s. A previous incarnation of the immortal Dude. He's just checking in to see how the latest Dude is faring. And he seems to be pleased with what he sees (except for all the cuss words)

[ZenDudeist]

Huh, that's a very fucking interesting theory.

If there's any truth to that Elliot in a sense played a similar role in the Ghostrider movie with Nick Cage last year where he was like the ghost of a 1800s badass demon killing guy, while Nickles was the 21st century counterpart...

[DigitalBuddha]

I was thinking that the stranger was some kind of author watching the Dude's life. Sort of showing up at various venues that Dude hangs out at to get more material for the next chapter...............

But I'll tell you what, after seeing Los Angeles and thisahere story I'm about to unfold--wal, I guess I seen somethin' ever' bit as stupefyin' as ya'd see in any a those other places, and in English too.

[Andrea D.]

That's fucking interesting dudes.

[DigitalBuddha]

That's fucking interesting dudes.

Yeah, Dudette, the Stranger could be the dudes biographer. The Stranger writes his new book "The Dude Abides."

[DirtDude]

I like Bill's theory. Other than a previous dude incarnation, he could also represent the personification of the immortal Holy Dude Spirit that resides in us all. He likes the Dude's style because he has let the Holy Dude spirit emanate in himself to a level of almost supreme Dudeness. The stranger is the narrator of the story, and he appears to be somewhat of a mystic. He could be a Master Dude and the film could be a story used to teach prospective dudes about new shit coming to light and achieving a state of Dudeness.

[DigitalBuddha]

I like Bill's theory. Other than a previous dude incarnation, he could also represent the personification of the immortal Holy Dude Spirit that resides in us all. He likes the Dude's style because he has let the Holy Dude spirit emanate in himself to a level of almost supreme Dudeness. The stranger is the narrator of the story, and he appears to be somewhat of a mystic. He could be a Master Dude and the film could be a story used to teach prospective dudes about new shit coming to light and achieving a state of Dudeness.

So when the dude says that he abides, could he be making a statement deeper than we have thought? He abides in everything? Far fucking out, man.

[Hillbilly dude]

Actually, I always thought the Stranger was a Dude from the 1800s. A previous incarnation of the immortal Dude. He's just checking in to see how the latest Dude is faring. And he seems to be pleased with what he sees (except for all the cuss words)

That i agree with!!!! good call dude

[equinox]

I thought the stranger was God.  He seemed to exhibit qualities that I associate with God. His voice for example.  He seemed to have a loving, non-judgemental demeanor.  He ordered a soft drink at the bar.  He suggested that the dude not use so many cuss words, but ultimately said,"Have it your way." That's just my opinion, man.