Conversely, this is my favorite example of “art” / every day objects being used to elevate heroes.
Unlike the villains mentioned in the other post, The Dude is emotionally invested in a common item rather than a priceless work of art. His relationship with mass produced items communicates his Every Man status and grounds him immediately.
The way The Dude interacts with the rug speaks volumes about his character. He is seen above, lying on it, almost meditating on it in complete peace. This is critical to understanding his character– he likes the little things in life and is sensitive enough to derive joy from every day objects.
Then it is pissed on– a literal and metaphorical event indicating that this peace is disrupted. And when he acquires another rug and appreciates it just as much, we learn it’s not about that rug or any rug at all, but what the rug means to him; something we can relate to much more than Ed Norton’s Mona Lisa.
