Theory of the Stranger

[Elbowski]

This is our concern, Dude, and what a wonderful and mindfucking question you have posed. And in English, too. The Stranger moves in mysterious ways, indeed.

[greatspiritmonk]

Like a Taoist monk. Or a Dudeist Monk. 

[sufidude]

If The Stranger is a mere mortal, how does he narrate an event in the past, while at the same time, discussing future events (which are still in the past for the audience) while being directly involved current events of the story?

My mind is not currently limber enough to understand this.

I think we're getting into wachowski brothers territory here.

[Bush-League Psycho]

So, the Stranger is another Dude.

And to the Stranger, the Dude is the Stranger.  Obviously, "The Dude" is not a name anyone would self-apply where he comes from, but then there's a lot about the Dude he doesn't understand.

But the Stranger doesn't want to understand, he wants to be stupefied.  That way, he can go to his grave without feeling like the Good Lord gypped him.