Barton Fink The Life of the Mind
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After viewing Barton Fink for the first time, I was confused yet intrigued by Charlie's motivation to murder, how he chose his victims, and how that affected his relationship with Barton. While watching the film again, I realized that all the answers revolved around the so-called "life of the mind." It is actually Charlie, rather than Barton, who represents this way of life. Charlie cannot escape himself or his thoughts, and he "Can't trade [his] head in for a new one." He is endlessly troubled by a heat from within him, which is represented by the hotel fire. It is clear this fire is imaginary since both Charlie and Barton treat it with such indifference, and its flames only spread to certain areas. Therefore it does not depict an actual fire, but the fire which haunts Charlie's mind, and makes him "so hot, [he wants] to crawl out of [his] skin."
Charlie's victims are plagued by similar fires. By murdering them, Charlie believes he is helping and freeing them of their pain. He explains to Barton, "I know what it feels like, when things get all balled up at the head office...