They also encounter a large religious group coming through the forest to be baptized at a river, sirens who supposedly "lure" Pete into lustful relations and turn him into a toad, and many other characters. They consistently have to stay one step ahead of the sheriff and his bloodhounds, and still must find a way to be pardoned at the end, or they will go back to prison. They steal cars; meet a guitar player who believes he can play the guitar because he sold his soul to the devil, and some hospitable people who help them along their journey. Most of the film involves their travels, trials, and tribulations, and it often seems as if they will never attain their goal, which is another element of an epic journey.
The search does indeed illustrate Ulysses' (and many others) social and religious values. Ulysses is not particularly religious, but his quest does have many Biblical references. For example, the Bible salesman is really a crook and a KKK member (in fact, many people believe the KKK rally is supposed to represent a descent into Hell). Many of the bluegrass songs have Biblical or spiritual references in them, and there are many little references throughout the film that show the religious nature of the South during the Depression, such as the baptism scene at the river, where the "Soggy Bottom Boys" get their name. It also shows much of the culture of the South during that time. Most of the people are poor (the Hogwallops eat horse, and the men themselves have next to nothing)....
They sing in a can to earn $10, which today is not much money at all. The few that do have money are true "fat cats" like the Cyclops and Pappy O'Daniel. They have the money and the power, and use it when it will benefit them (such as Pappy pardoning the Soggy Bottom Boys at the end of the film). It shows how few people actually had money during the Depression, but it also shows how poor most of the people of the South were, and how the culture seemed to create that huge divide between the rich and the poor. Clearly, Ulysses is not a perfect man; he is a prison-escapee after all. However, inside he is basically good and decent, much more so than the supposed spiritual people he encounters (such as the Bible salesman). This also shows the duplicity of religious belief - sometimes it seems the most devout are the most wicked (like the KKK members). The film makes all of this lighthearted and laughable, but if the viewer looks a little deeper they will not see just an epic journey with a happy ending, they will see a deep social commentary about the people and beliefs in the Depression South. Most of the people are decent, hardworking, and simply looking to live a good life. Some are dark and evil, like the Bible salesman and the sheriff, and some are naive and innocent, like Delmar and Pete. Their journey brings them together and teaches them many things, and that is another element of an epic journey. Thus, this film is a modern epic, in more ways that Homer might ever have imagined.
