Five Easy Pieces : Why did he leave his coat?* Spoilers*

Was there something symbolic about Bobby leaving his coat in the men's
room in the final scene?

I wondered that myself and I've come up with a 2-tiered response:

On the surface, Rayette last saw him WITH the jacket. If she happened to glimpse him trying to get away possibly she would not recognize soon enough that he was now wearing just his shirt.

On a symbolic level, the truck driver says a significant line: "It's cold as hell (paraphrase?) where we're going". Bobby replies that it's OK with him and he's fine as is. Like truck drivers, who spend a lot of time alone without human connection on the road, Bobby has accepted that his life will forever be cold and lonely due to his inability to connect wih anyone else.

Both good points,thanks.

Very true. Also, I always relate Bobby shedding his coat with him shedding his life and all the accompanying relationships, and moving on to another in Alaska.

My real name is Jeff

I like the response that he was shedding his life. Odds are he will not be an oilworker or a pianist in his next "gig". On to the next phase, no matter what it is, just so it's not the same as before. His wandering might be aimless, but it is moving forward. I don't think we are intended to see a value for ourselves in that, just that Bobby runs his life that way.

He also adapts at least on the material level, even if his soul still burns. He probably figures he'll get another coat soon enough.

That's how I see it too Kenny.. Like that hitchhiker was saying to him, material goods are just 'rubbish' which don't make happiness. Him leaving his coat behind was just him going away with the most basic of necessities and starting again to try and find happiness.

Not only his coat, he left his wallet too. Remember, she asks him if he has any change, and he just hands her his wallet. Now he has Nothing, literally, (not even an ID?) and has to start from scratch. As he said to his father, his life doesn't build up to anything one new beginning after another, not really seeking or hoping for anything other than the escape.

By the way, I noticed the truck driver wasn't listed in the credits. Who was he?

Dini

Im somehow surprised that you asked about the coat; its way more schocking that he left the car.

Going to the question it means probably that he wants to make a completely new beginning; in order to do so he leaves behind everything that was part of his life so far, the girlfriend, the car, and yes, also the coat.

lol right - his coat? He left EVERYTHING.

An exterior. That he's no longer going to have ANY act on the outside after leaving her. He's a loner, an individual, but when he tries to conform, it drives him nuts, whether it's with Rayette or his family.