The Coen Brothers, Storytelling, and Fate

A poem by Ethan Coen reveals a key clue to the brothers’ story sensibilities.

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

One motif we see in Coen brothers movies is fate. Characters may dream. Characters may scheme. But their actions often have unintended consequences. Plus other characters may enter the narrative who significantly alter the flow of the narrative. This extends to events that transpire such as the flood in O Brother…