One of the important aspects that the film incorporates in order to enhance the theme of religion are the intertextual references for the depiction of the devil. The intertextual description of devil in the hypotext’s of Greek mythology, The Odyssey and the Bible enhance and provide further meaning to the character of Sheriff Cooley. In image 1, Everett describes the devil as “red and scaly with a bifurcated tail” who carries “a hay fork”. However, Tommy Johnson swiftly interrupts by saying “Oh, no. No, sir. He's white, as white as you folks, with empty eyes and a big hollow voice”. The first description given by Everett depicts the typical image of a devil in bible as well as Greek mythology because most of the time the devils are described
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As seen in image 1, Sheriff Cooley is seen wearing his dark shades which reflect flames when his face is seen in medium-close up shot. However, the flames in his eye disappear when he hears the sound of the water which is about to flood that area. This scene can also be perceived through image 2. This represents the flood from Noah’s ark and the struggles faced by Odysseus while travelling through the ocean. This is because the flood in Noah’s ark had a potential context of destroying evil from the world and bring peace and harmony through the destruction of greed and other vices. This was also seen through the Odyssey as Odysseus eventual overcome the obstacles faced by the sea God ‘Poseidon’ Similarly, the fire/flames in Sheriff Cooley’s glasses resemble evil and the flood from the Dam represents resurrection from evil as the water is symbolised as being pure because it is also used during baptism scene in the movie. Overall, the elements fire and water show the religious and heroic context of good overcoming evil. This enhances the appearance and characteristics of Sheriff Cooley as the flames and dark glasses relate him to destruction and evil because he is seen wearing the glasses at day time as well as night time resembling blind revenge for their escape from the
As seen in image 1, Sheriff Cooley is seen wearing his dark shades which reflect flames when his face is seen in medium-close up shot. However, the flames in his eye disappear when he hears the sound of the water which is about to flood that area. This scene can also be perceived through image 2. This represents the flood from Noah’s ark and the struggles faced by Odysseus while travelling through the ocean. This is because the flood in Noah’s ark had a potential context of destroying evil from the world and bring peace and harmony through the destruction of greed and other vices. This was also seen through the Odyssey as Odysseus eventual overcome the obstacles faced by the sea God ‘Poseidon’ Similarly, the fire/flames in Sheriff Cooley’s glasses resemble evil and the flood from the Dam represents resurrection from evil as the water is symbolised as being pure because it is also used during baptism scene in the movie. Overall, the elements fire and water show the religious and heroic context of good overcoming evil. This enhances the appearance and characteristics of Sheriff Cooley as the flames and dark glasses relate him to destruction and evil because he is seen wearing the glasses at day time as well as night time resembling blind revenge for their escape from the