The Dudeism Forum

Quote from: digitalbuddha on August 26, 2009, 11:47:38 PM
My recent theory is that the entire story takes place in the stranger's head and we are looking into his mind as this a here story unfolds. That would explain all of the surreal scenes such as carpet ride over Los Angeles  and the dude rolling down a lane looking out from inside a bowling ball. Maybe we enter the stranger's mindscape during a flashback brought by some mighty powerful peyote.

Wha, that ma knewest durn theory.

You got any sarsaparilla?

It makes sense. Because the Stranger knows more than just what the Dude tells him. But it doesn't seem that the Stranger has any strict regimen. He doesn't drink oat sodas or caucasians. Could it be that the Dude told him all the story and he just repeat it to us? And the surreal scenes are a product of Dude's mind? Interesting thoughts.

Quote from: greatspiritmonk on August 27, 2009, 01:54:07 AM

It makes sense. Because the Stranger knows more than just what the Dude tells him. But it doesn't seem that the Stranger has any strict regimen. He doesn't drink oat sodas or caucasians. Could it be that the Dude told him all the story and he just repeat it to us? And the surreal scenes are a product of Dude's mind? Interesting thoughts.

I didn't see the Dude tell the Stranger anything about what was going on, out of all of the times I've seen the movie. So no, I don't think that's plausible.

You are right, but he seems to know anyway what's going on with the Dude. If all the movie is a kind of dream, or an occasional acid flashback, which I don't think, the Stranger could be the Dude's conscience or something like that.
He is the one who tells all the story from the beginning to the end. So he probably was always around in a way or another. He doesn't talk only about their conversations at the bowling alley.

Well, I'll take a nap and see if it clarifies something. 

Quote from: TheDudeInMe on August 27, 2009, 09:11:07 AM

Quote from: greatspiritmonk on August 27, 2009, 01:54:07 AM

It makes sense. Because the Stranger knows more than just what the Dude tells him. But it doesn't seem that the Stranger has any strict regimen. He doesn't drink oat sodas or caucasians. Could it be that the Dude told him all the story and he just repeat it to us? And the surreal scenes are a product of Dude's mind? Interesting thoughts.

I didn't see the Dude tell the Stranger anything about what was going on, out of all of the times I've seen the movie. So no, I don't think that's plausible.

And that's my point, dude. It's all in the stranger's head. No one needs to tell him anything.

WE are The Stranger, man.

"catch you later on down the trail" ??!

Or, alternatively, The Stranger is our higher power.

Quote from: Whiteheart on August 29, 2009, 01:18:09 AM
WE are The Stranger, man.

"catch you later on down the trail" ??!

Or, alternatively, The Stranger is our higher power.

Is that some kind of Eastern thing?

Quote from: Whiteheart on August 29, 2009, 01:18:09 AM
WE are The Stranger, man.

"catch you later on down the trail" ??!

Or, alternatively, The Stranger is our higher power.

You mean something like a human form of Tao? Lao Tzu? JCD (Jesus Christ Dude)? Our Soul?

So it could be Dude's dream. I've got an headache now. 

The Stranger was most definitely a prophet. In the Judeo-Islamic understanding, a prophet is simply one speaks on behalf of God. Such is the reason that folks like Amos and Muhammad are accepted without having the divine claims or awesome miracles of Jesus, Moses, or even Krishna. The Stranger most certainly speaks on behalf of the dude for our own edification and to our own greater understanding. As such he is, in addition to anything else, certainly a prophet of Dudeism- possibly the first like John the Baptist.

A Dudeist Prophet. A kind of compeer to Dudeist Priests.

Funny thread this one, full of things to consider. 

Quote from: Bill on November 21, 2007, 04:43:12 PM
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)

The fuck you talking bout'? Cuss words?

Is this some kind of eastern thing?

Deus Ex Machina, that stranger is.

According to a dude at that other forum, sarsaparilla has as it's root, "zarza",  meaning "bush".

Quote from: Elbowski on September 09, 2009, 05:54:03 PM
Deus Ex Machina, that stranger is.

According to a dude at that other forum, sarsaparilla has as it's root, "zarza",  meaning "bush".

"Are we gonna split hairs here?"  Well, yes we are...

The Stranger can't be deus ex machina as he is also the narrator and makes an equally unobtrusive appearance mid-way through the film.  If anybody fills this role, it's Donny, whose completely unforeseen myocardial infarction, death, and bereavement is the epilogue to this whole durned human comedy.

Foe me the stranger resembles one of those taoist sages from China. The ones wandering around the country helping people, giving teaching and so on. And telling insightful stories too. And in English too. 

Multiple concerns with the Stranger.  In the beginning, he informs us the story happenned in the past (takes place in the early 90's), but at the end of the moview, he actually speaks to the current day audience just after his direct involvment in the story as it unfolded at that time in the past.  Very confusing to conteplate.  Then, he references future events, while still residing in the past, concerning the little Lebowski that he happens to know is on the way.

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.