Over on the ol Facebook I participate in Cathleen Falsani's group for her new book, The Dude Abides.  On the forum a fellow dude by the name of John Sullivan made a very interesting post yesterday.

I can't say that I've seen all of the Coen movies, but The Big Lebowski has always stood out for me.

Throughout the film the dude is flanked by Walter and Donny. They act like a shoulder devil and angel only instead of representing good and evil they champion the Yin and Yang of Taoism.

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=3992&post=55318&uid=10031134846&post55318=

I must say this had never occurred to us.  I enjoy how John likened Walter and Donny to the classic angel/devil figures.  Takes me back to Looney Tunes or that scene in Animal House.  You have the good and evil aspect of oneself trying to influence the character to go one way or another on a decision or action.  I think the import notation here is the Yin/Yang because neither Walter nor Donny are wholly evil or good.  If I had to pick one, I think Walter would be the more obvious bad choice, but it's not like he has it out for The Dude.

This really spins those character into a whole other dimension of reality.  We've talked about the idea that Donny may not even exist, but we have never presupposed Walter could be a figment of The Dude's imagination of psyche.  I'm really digging this.  In fact, it might even warrant some chat on an episode.

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