Jules Winnfield: Existentialist Hitman
I was going through some old writings and here's a short blurb I wrote that was printed in the Tampa Tribune back in April of 2002 that I thought would be worth revisiting (WARNING SPOILERS FOR PULP FICTION):
Would you describe Pulp Fiction's Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson) as having embrassed existentialism at the end of the movie? His interpretation of Ezekiel sounds to be very much from an existentialist's stand-point. Pointing out that he is along in an evil world, and that he has found that his meaning is to go about on his own and no longer hurt, but to help. As a hitman, Jackson was following a course similar to that of predestination -- This may be why the death of Vincent was included. Had Jules not quit working for Marsellus, he too may have been placed inside that apartment where Vincent was killed.
Jules is a man of moral code. He won't eat a dog because it has personality. Yet, while employeed by Marsellus, Jules had no second thoughts about blasting a man with whom he shared stories about hawaiian burgers. It wasn't until Jules broke free from the deity that is his boss (and note that all action in the movie revovles around Marsellus), that he was able to be true to himself. His actions are very much that of an existentialist.
Finally, this brings up what is in the briefcase -- The object which Jules has worked towards -- No one knows what it is. Just as no one can "see" God, no one can see what is in the briefcase. Jules does not beleive that his life should be determined over something which we do not have a full understanding of.
Bored
Very interesting and very plausible.