Everyone's Looking for Answers

So say a couple of characters in O Brother, Where Art Thou? I asked the class to do a little research on a topic from the film--not necessarily a theme, but something that is part of the plot or setting or zeitgeist of the Depression Era. Something that makes this particular film work. Several focused on music--gospel, blues or bluegrass--while others focused on con men or the women in the Depression or stereotypes of the South. In 800 words, they present information on their topic, discuss its presence and significance in the film, and, finally, try to connect it all up with The Odyssey. The posts below are the work of various students in the class.