In "Jacob's Ladder", what is the significance of Jacob mistaking left and right sides of his body?

In "Jacob's Ladder", what is the significance of Jacob mistaking left and right sides of his body? - Overhead view of white inscription on center of chalkboard located on black background

While I didn't have a problem deciphering most of the allusions and allegorical scenes in the movie Jacob's Ladder, this one still bugs me.

Several times throughout the movie, Louie asks Jacob to turn onto his right side, Jacob turns to his left, and Louie tells him to turn onto "his other right". Is this significant or alluding to something, or is it just a meaningless running gag?



Best Answer

TV Tropes officially lists it as "Your Other Left", indicating it's a running gag. I don't see how it could be taken any other way, as there's never been any indication previously in any work that spirits were prone to forgetting the difference.




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In "Jacob's Ladder", what is the significance of Jacob mistaking left and right sides of his body? - Overhead view wooden frame with white inscription about social injustice on black background
In "Jacob's Ladder", what is the significance of Jacob mistaking left and right sides of his body? - Wooden frame with IT SHOULD NEVER HAVE COME TO THIS text on center
In "Jacob's Ladder", what is the significance of Jacob mistaking left and right sides of his body? - Top view of blackboard with written white REJECT WHITE SUPREMACY words on center on black background



What is the significance of Jacobs ladder?

According to the Midrash Genesis Rabbah, the ladder signified the exiles which the Jewish people would suffer before the coming of the Jewish messiah. First the angel representing the 70-year exile of Babylonia climbed "up" 70 rungs, and then fell "down".

What does a ladder symbolize in the Bible?

The ladder (or staircase) is symbolic of the connection between HEAVEN and EARTH. It represents progress, ascenscion, and spiritual passage through the levels of initiation. In the Bible, Jacob's ladder established contact between man and God, and there are seven rungs on the ladder of virtue.




More answers regarding in "Jacob's Ladder", what is the significance of Jacob mistaking left and right sides of his body?

Answer 2

I would say that this faintly echoes the fact that Jacob is "confused about where he is". Given two possible locations, he currently perceives himself in the wrong one.

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