Spirituality in O Brother, Where Art Thou

O Brother, Where Art Thou is a film about three escaped prisoners: Everett, Delmar, and Pete looking for a treasure (or so they think) and keeping away from the law. This film deals quite a lot with Christian spirituality and redemption of sins and passed actions. There are different beliefs between the three main characters Delmar and Pete are firm believers in God and in one scene actually become baptized to be forgiven of their previous sins, Delmar brings up the crime he committed and how God has forgiven him. Everett on the other hand does not believe in Christianity and is constantly arguing with the other two that there are very simple explanations for things the other two characters believe are divine intervention. In the same baptism scene Everett tells Delmar and Pete that they are "dumber than a box of hammers" for getting baptized and it will not help them with their law troubles.

There is constant images of spirituality through this film of both good and evil. Tommy the African American guitar player claims that he sold his soul to the devil to learn how to play the guitar. To which later he believes the devil is collecting his soul when the KKK lynch mob gets a hold of him. Another is the bible salesman (John Goodman) who turns out to be nothing more than a crook and robs Everett and Delmar of their money. There is this constant battle between good and evil and the three main characters are always caught in the middle.

The climactic scene when the law finally catches the three main characters, even after they were given full pardons from the governor and they are about to be hanged the audience believes Everett is having a spiritual moment where he drops down on his knees and prays asking God to give him a miracle and let him see his daughters again. Then suddenly water comes crashing in and they are flushed away from there situation. When the three characters come to the top of the water and Delmar and Pete are proud to ask Everett about his spiritual moment and claim their salvation (from the law that is) was a miracle to which Everett responds with "There is a perfectly good scientific explanation to what just happened." I think this shows how there will be a constant battle between people over the existence of God and some people will always believe one side or the other just like Delmar, Pete, and Everett.