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Significance of tattooes in Raising Arizona? (1 Viewer)

Sam Graves

Stunt Coordinator
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Feb 7, 2001
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I caught the end of Raising Arizona this morning on Encore and a question I have always had about the movie came back to me: What is the significance of the Road Runner-esque tattoes H.I. (Nicholas Cage) and Smalls ("Tex" Cobb) have?
 

Richard Kim

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Jan 29, 2001
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Actually, I think it's Woody Woodpecker. ;)
Anyway, like alot of the Coen brothers' films, there's alot of symbolism and metaphor in Raising Arizona. I believe that Smalls represents the evil that Hi unleashed when he took Nathan Jr. from his family, the part of him that's responsible for all the criminal acts he's commited, which is why they both have the same tattoos. Throughout the film, Hi struggles with wanting to lead a normal life and raising a family and his personal needs of roaming free and being an outlaw and crook, which comes to a head when he faces Smalls at the end.
 

Jon Bell

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Jan 14, 2001
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170
I think it's the logo for Thrush auto parts.

As for Richard's answer, I generally agree. HI created Smalls.
 

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