Apropos of Nothing

Deconstruction, Psychoanalysis, and the Coen Brothers

By Clark Buckner | Publisher: State University of New York Press

About the book

The Coen Brothers' films are rife with figures of absence. In The Big Lebowski, the Dude does nothing. He is put on the trail of a kidnapping that never happened, and solves the crime when he realizes that he paid the ransom with \"a ringer for a ringer.\" The Hudsucker Proxy features a dupe who draws zeros throughout the film, enthusiastically proclaiming, \"You know, for the kids!\" Barton Fink is a film that revolves around the absence of a film. In Apropos of Nothing, Clark Buckner appeals to these and other figures of the void in the Coen Brothers' films in order to articulate the close proximity and ultimate opposition between Lacanian psychoanalysis and Derridean deconstruction. In the process, he situates both theories in relationship to Heidegger's existential phenomenology, and undertakes a comparative analysis of the negativity in death, language, drive, anxiety, visual perception, paternity, and the unconscious. Formulating one of the most theoretically rigorous readings of the Coens' oeuvre to date, Buckner also offers a readable overview of some central debates in late twentieth-century continental philosophy.

Editions of Apropos of Nothing

Hardcover
ISBN 9781438452555
Paperback
ISBN 9781438452548
PDF
ISBN 9781438452562

Read an Excerpt

The Coen Brothers' films are rife with figures of absence. In The Big Lebowski, the Dude does nothing. He is put on the trail of a kidnapping that never happened, and solves the crime when he realizes that he paid the ransom with \"a ringer for a ringer.\" The Hudsucker Proxy features a dupe who draws zeros throughout the film, enthusiastically proclaiming, \"You know, for the kids!\" Barton Fink is a film that revolves around the absence of a film. In Apropos of Nothing, Clark Buckner appeals to these and other figures of the void in the Coen Brothers' films in order to articulate the close proximity and ultimate opposition between Lacanian psychoanalysis and Derridean deconstruction. In the process, he situates both theories in relationship to Heidegger's existential phenomenology, and undertakes a comparative analysis of the negativity in death, language, drive, anxiety, visual perception, paternity, and the unconscious. Formulating one of the most theoretically rigorous readings of the Coens' oeuvre to date, Buckner also offers a readable overview of some central debates in late twentieth-century continental philosophy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Apropos of Nothing about?

The Coen Brothers' films are rife with figures of absence. In The Big Lebowski, the Dude does nothing. He is put on the trail of a kidnapping that never happened, and solves the crime when he realizes that he paid the ransom with \"a ringer for a ringer.\" The Hudsucker Proxy features a dupe who draws zeros throughout the film, enthusiastically proclaiming, \"You know, for the kids!\" Barton Fink is a film that revolves around the absence of a film. In Apropos of Nothing, Clark Buckner appeals to these and other figures of the void in the Coen Brothers' films in order to articulate the close proximity and ultimate opposition between Lacanian psychoanalysis and Derridean deconstruction. In the process, he situates both theories in relationship to Heidegger's existential phenomenology, and undertakes a comparative analysis of the negativity in death, language, drive, anxiety, visual perception, paternity, and the unconscious. Formulating one of the most theoretically rigorous readings of the Coens' oeuvre to date, Buckner also offers a readable overview of some central debates in late twentieth-century continental philosophy.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Apropos of Nothing?

The Arts > Performing arts > Films, cinema > Film history, theory or criticism

Where can I read a sample of Apropos of Nothing?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781438452555

How long is Apropos of Nothing and how many pages does it have?

Apropos of Nothing has 270 page(s)

Is Apropos of Nothing part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series SUNY series, Insinuations: Philosophy, Psychoanalysis, Literature

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Apropos of Nothing?

Clark Buckner

Who is the Publisher of the book Apropos of Nothing?

State University of New York Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Apropos of Nothing is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781438452555) and paperback(ISBN 9781438452548) and pdf(ISBN 9781438452562)

Where can I buy Apropos of Nothing online or support local independent bookshops?

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Where can I buy Apropos of Nothing?