Explanation of the ending of Easy Rider
This is regarding the 1969 classic Easy Rider. I found the ending was abrupt and very quick. Although throughout the movie it has been shown how society dislikes and avoids hippies like Wyatt and Billy, the end seemed unusual. Wasn't the shooting of both riders by some random truck drivers, a bit of a stretch? And that too when there was hardly any confrontation/conversation. Did they end Easy Rider abruptly or is there any subliminal message here?
Best Answer
It all comes full circle. At the begining Wyatt destroys his watch in pursuit of freedom as time only serves to constrain them. Throughout the journey they come across lots of people and ideas such as the hiker and his village he lives in, which is were Wyatt learns about himself and freedom. They enter the south and if you notice characters and ideas change completely, one being how in the south at that time they were not big on freedom and acceptance as people were earlier in their journey. This change is big when you see the lawyer get killed, showing that in the south they will do whatever they want to someone who is different.
At the end as you know they are killed by 2 random truckers; Billy first, making him a martyr. Wyatt is killed after this, learning earlier when he says "WE BLEW IT" saying that they missed there chance for happiness and true freedom. He realizes that death is the only way to truly be free and turns around and heads down the road to die.
Pictures about "Explanation of the ending of Easy Rider"
Why does Wyatt say we blew it in Easy Rider?
Instead of reveling in the moment Wyatt answers cryptically, \u201cYou know Billy. We blew it.\u201d The meaning of the line has been the source of great debate. Some critics felt it was a comment on the futility of their life on the road; that Wyatt feels by leaving the commune he's blown his chance at happiness.What is the point of the movie Easy Rider?
"Easy Rider" takes the gang leader (Fonda) and condenses his gang into one uptight archetype (played by director Hopper.) It takes the aimless rebellion of the bike gangs and channels it into specific rejection of the establishment (by which is meant everything from rednecks to the Pentagon to hippies on communes).What happened to Jack Nicholson in Easy Rider?
A knife incident cost Rip Torn Jack Nicholson's role Actor Rip Torn was originally penned in to play the role of George Hanson, a character eventually depicted by Jack Nicholson, with the reason for this switch allegedly being a restaurant fight between Torn and Dennis Hopper.What was in the gas tank in Easy Rider?
While Wyatt is more easy going, believing in the karmic nature and practicality of helping others when they can and in turn asking for help when they need it, Billy is a little more suspicious of the people they encounter, especially in hiding their wad of cash that is stuffed into the gas tank of Wyatt's bike, that ...AN \
More answers regarding explanation of the ending of Easy Rider
Answer 2
This movie is about the capitalist ethic in America, analogous to capitalism being some sort of delusional, "spaced-out" road trip high. The very feeble and fragile looking machines they ride (the American dream) symbolize the war machine: American aggression and expansion having to turn back and not getting farther than the western shore, namely the Vietnam era (1960's) was a loss. We are at the end of the road for American freedom, and other nations are supposedly now on the move. The death scene at the end is symbolic of America turning inwards, into itself, losing hopes and dreams of further expansionism, and now turning inwards, America left to the ravages of bigotry, hate, and futile endeavors (and some strict German-looking guys in a pick-up truck...just a bunch of good ole boys from down south). America finds death awaits it: knowing Hollywood as we know Hollywood, the script was likely written by pessimists with foreign accents while drinking wine at a patio café on the Rhine River, because it portrays a negative image of American expansionist endeavor.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Visal Vijayan, Furkan Idrizi, Ayna, Zszen John