Dead Man Blog


William Blake in Dead Man is thrust from his normal accountant life into a run away murderer that is very contrary to his profane life and character. He discovers a unfamiliar side of life as he travels out West to escape, interacting with Native Americans, being shot and thrown into chaotic life as an outlaw. He searches for spiritual meaning in his inevitable death throughout the film similar to how Hirata embarks on the spiritual journey to fulfill his past away parent's resting rituals. They are similar in that both William and Hirata are hesitant and in questionable about the unknowns they each face on their physical and spiritual journey and really do not know what to expect until they find their true sacred meanings at the conclusion. I find William to be in refutation about his inescapable death and this is why he chooses the flight in a fight or flight mindset. He does not see his true meaning until later in the journey similar to how Hirata did really understand why he was there until he meets the old man and gets drunk.

I see Blake constantly trying to find ways to revert back to his original life but at no success as the violence, killing and chaos continue to escalate throughout the film. Through this, I see his existence slowly slipping away.

Nobody portrays the Native American man that helps William Blake after he is shot and helps him during his journey in the West, believing him to be the dead poet William Blake. I see Nobody as a symbol of independence and a turning point in his journey as well as a conscience rather than an individual. I believe Nobody helps him spiritually in opening his eyes to a different perspective of how fragile life really is and how it can turn on the flip of a coin. At first he doesn't accept the help, but after his wounds become too much to bear, Nobody is able to help. He also aids him by showing him independence by urging Blake to create his own path and this is when I believe Blake understands the meaning of life as he nears death. Finally, the name "Nobody" I think illustrates a symbol of conscience because although he did help physically, I think most of his help was spiritual and forced Blake to rethink and ease the pain of death.

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