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Out of the three philosophers, Tolstoy’s Existentialism fits best in this particular scene, which is reflected by Jules’ faith in God.
Tolstoy, during his existential crisis, came to the conclusion that faith, which is part of the irrational knowledge, could save the despair of one’s life. He believed that faith could “give men a sense of the infinite which is not destroyed by suffering, deprivation, and death.” Jules, in his life as a contract killer, was facing all this. He especially faced imminent death when the man hiding in the bathroom unloaded upon Jules and Vincent with a gun. However, when they realize they were not hit with any of the bullets at all, Jules has a great revelation, repeatedly saying that it was “divine intervention”. Jules believes that this is a sign from God telling Jules to retire from his life as a killer. Although Vince remains skeptical, Jules sticks to his decision. However, Jules’ revelation and transformation becomes much more emphasized in the diner scene, when Jules is held up by the two small-time crooks, Honey Bunny and Ringo. Jules disarms Ringo, and forces a standoff between him and Honey Bunny. However, when he has the chance to dispose of the two robbers, he instead performs his first act of redemption by letting them take the money and run. This shows that Jules has the “real faith” that Tolstoy describes. Tolstoy mentions that only peasants, monks, dissenters, and simple-lettered folks are capable of achieving real faith, rather than the rich aristocrats. Jules fits as a commoner, a lowlife who kills people for money. However, it is his lifestyle that ultimately leads to redemption. His true faith is further emphasized through his recitation of the bible verse, the one he recites before he commits any execution. However, this recitation is different from the one he used earlier in the movie.
Tolstoy, during his existential crisis, came to the conclusion that faith, which is part of the irrational knowledge, could save the despair of one’s life. He believed that faith could “give men a sense of the infinite which is not destroyed by suffering, deprivation, and death.” Jules, in his life as a contract killer, was facing all this. He especially faced imminent death when the man hiding in the bathroom unloaded upon Jules and Vincent with a gun. However, when they realize they were not hit with any of the bullets at all, Jules has a great revelation, repeatedly saying that it was “divine intervention”. Jules believes that this is a sign from God telling Jules to retire from his life as a killer. Although Vince remains skeptical, Jules sticks to his decision. However, Jules’ revelation and transformation becomes much more emphasized in the diner scene, when Jules is held up by the two small-time crooks, Honey Bunny and Ringo. Jules disarms Ringo, and forces a standoff between him and Honey Bunny. However, when he has the chance to dispose of the two robbers, he instead performs his first act of redemption by letting them take the money and run. This shows that Jules has the “real faith” that Tolstoy describes. Tolstoy mentions that only peasants, monks, dissenters, and simple-lettered folks are capable of achieving real faith, rather than the rich aristocrats. Jules fits as a commoner, a lowlife who kills people for money. However, it is his lifestyle that ultimately leads to redemption. His true faith is further emphasized through his recitation of the bible verse, the one he recites before he commits any execution. However, this recitation is different from the one he used earlier in the movie.
