Pulp Fiction analysis - part 1: The briefcase contents

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Each character sees something different in the case. According to Wikipedia, the idea that the briefcase contains Marsellus's soul gained popular currency in the mid-1990s. Analyzing the notion, Roger Ebert dismissed it as "nothing more than a widely distributed urban legend given false credibility by the mystique of the Net".(Ebert, 1997, p. 188.) In an 'Artist on Artist' discussion with Robert Rodriguez, the video of which is available on YouTube, Tarantino says that he has been telling people since 1994 that the briefase is "whatever you think". I interpret this as being equivalent to saying that it contains whatever you want it to contain.

I offer $1000 to anyone who can show proof that Tarantino has said, "the briefcase is only a McGuffin", i.e., that he has said the briefcase is solely a plot device. Specific information must be provided with the proof, such as the date QT made the statement, where he was when he said it, and who was present. Note that the 'Tarantino A to Zed' book and the snopes dot com website don't meet any of these proof criteria (I checked both myself).

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[MrMovieAnalyst]

@RobertAldrichASC If that's your opinion, that's fine, but I disagree.

[RobertAldrichASC]

@MrMovieAnalyst In 2001 the monolith obviously represents a higher intelligence at work in the universe and the idea that there are mysteries that may be beyond the reach of human intelligence. The monolith plays a significant part in the film and is central to the story. The briefcase in Pulp Ficition was a way for Tarantino to log his own entry in the pop culture lexicon. It has no significance to the story itself and serves no purpose other than being Tarantino's tribute to the Macguffin.

[MrMovieAnalyst]

@RobertAldrichASC YouTube has a new comment moderation feature, and I have my account set to moderate, so your comments will not post right away.

Again, the fact that there was some influence of KMD on Tarantino, doesn't necessarily contradict my analysis. Also, I doubt that he would outright lie about such a thing.

[MrMovieAnalyst]

@RobertAldrichASC That part of the def'n isn't just 'less value to the story' but is along the lines of 'it [the contents] are meaningless' (see the def'n on wikipedia). The briefcase is physically like the monlith in that both are flat, black non-reflective cuboids. For the 'allegorical' signficance, see my blog - it's too much to go into here.

[RobertAldrichASC]

@MrMovieAnalyst I'm sorry, I have tried to post responses but it seems not all of my responses will post. If you look up stories about the death of Maxine Cooper you will find that Tarantino commented on her, Kiss Me Deadly and the influence it had on Pulp Fiction. Now, I do not claim that Tarantino is being honest, he is a more than a bit of a BS artist, and perhaps he elevated in stature the level of influence the film had on his film because he just wanted to pay tribute to Ms. Cooper.

[RobertAldrichASC]

@MrMovieAnalyst A MacGuffin is a plot device that sets the characters in motion on their journey. In general it is something they are chasing but that has less value to the story than what is going on around it. It does not have to be something that can be "whatever you want" but the fact that in Pulp Fiction it is a MacGuffin that can be whatever you want makes it a much more effective plot device. When you compare it to the Monolith in 2001 in what way do you find them similar?

[MrMovieAnalyst]

@RobertAldrichASC No, like I said, I knew you weren't Aldrich cause I know he's dead.

You have yet to cite any references I can look at; and like I said, even if T. was influenced by the film, that doesn't contradict my analysis.

[RobertAldrichASC]

@MrMovieAnalyst You are not telling me you were silly enough to think I was Bob Aldrich? Tarantino talked about KIss Me Deadly and it's influence on him and Pulp Fiction when Ms. Cooper passed away. He also said that he had wanted to create a character like the Ralph Meeker character for pulp fiction.

[MrMovieAnalyst]

@RobertAldrichASC If you look up the definition of McGuffin, you'll see that it is something that's a plot device. The 'whatever you want' part is not a necessary part of the definition, i.e., just because something in a movie is 'whatever we want' doesn't in and of itself make it a McGuffin. The briefcase is in one sense a plot device, but it's also much more than that - it represents the Space Odyssey monolith, and its contents DO have meaning, therefore it's not a McGuffin.

[MrMovieAnalyst]

@RobertAldrichASC Regarding your two quotes, where are you getting this information? Besides, even if K.M.D. served as some sort of inspiration, that doesn't necessarily equate one briefcase with the other. And, if the briefcase in P.F. was so hot, Vincent and Jules would not be able to handle it as they do.

(See my 'p.s.' regarding your identity below.)