Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Broken in Two
Front-Ranger:
Another sign of the West broken in two was the train that passed between us (viewers) and Ennis at the beginning of the movie. The transcontinental railway was an advancement that united the East and the West but it also split whole communities in two.
Front-Ranger:
Somebody on TOB asked about the significance of the train, and here's what I wrote:
--- Quote ---Interesting post, Kula. I also find it interesting that the train passes between the viewer and Ennis, separating us from him. Trains were also a divisive feature in rural towns, breaking them in two. After the trains came through, there was a "right" and a "wrong" side of the tracks. The railway crossed Wyoming and the West, "taming" the West and bringing in settlers who were at odds with the cowboy culture.
As we try to see Ennis through the gaps in the train cars, we see flickering light and dark screens, a constantly changing view. This is a harbinger of how the movie will unfold, with an interplay of opposite and complementary elements.
--- End quote ---
TJ:
Edited statement - - - -> The transcontinental railway was an advancement that united the East and the West but it also split whole Native American tribal communities in two.
And, that railroad was also used to promote the shooting of buffalo from the train and the real purpose behind that was to destroy what the Indians relied on as both food, clothing and even shelter.
serious crayons:
Also, with its rhythm and reference to brokenness, Brokeback hints of heartbreak.
Ellemeno:
Not sure how it fits, but there's the sentence Jack says in the story, something like, "I ain't no broke dick rider."
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