From the beginning of Dead Man, William Blake is portrayed as an introverted, literal man who is clueless about many aspects of life. He is appalled at the fact that his position as accountant was already taken by someone before he arrived in the town of Machine. He is also shocked to see the working conditions at the factory and the atmosphere of the town. In addtion, throuhout the film, people continued to as William Blake is he had any tobacco. Every time he was asked, William Blake replied, "No, I don't smoke." The townspeople who asked him for tobacco all wanted the drug for their selfish purposes. However, I believe Nobody's intentions were a bit different.
It is a custom in Native American tribes for tobacco to symbolize healing and wellness. When Nobody meets William Blake, he is as good as dead. William Blake was shot in the heart, confused, naive, and wanted for murder. Nobody wanted him to have a respectable departure from the physical world, so he set out to create an honorable death for William Blake. Was Nobody asking for tobacco in order to use its healing powers and to put William Blake's sufferings at ease?
Nobody seems to use tobacco in a healing way. He sends Blake away in the boat and when Blake reminds Nobody that he does not smoke Nobody replies with the spiritual and comforting smoking of tobacco. The constant comment that Blake does not smoke also separates him from the social norm of people around him who enjoy smoking.
Posted by: Emily A. | 03/23/2012 at 12:05 AM