Four books have helped me in this regard. First, The Encyclopedia of Symbols, a reference book which I consult in the library but is not available for checkout. Secondly, Man and His Symbols, by Carl Jung. This is the definitive book on the subject. Also, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Portrait of a Film discusses the symbolism of that movie (some of which was used in BBM as well) and also has an introduction by Ang Lee discussing his spiritual beliefs. Finally, Chinese Mythology by Anthony Christie is also illuminating. I also have a small handbook on Chinese Symbolism which I carried in my purse on trips to the theater to see BBM!
Hey Sister Mod,
These are great suggestions. And, I definitely think there's something Jungian about Brokeback (particularly with so many cross-links between cowboy/western symbols and Asian symbols... and given the diversity of all the people who made Brokeback... including Proulx, Ang Lee, Ossana, McMurtry... an Australian actor even... the numbers of cultures and perspectives influencing the production of BBM is pretty amazing).
I'm sitting at my desk at the museum right now and am looking at a book on my self here called the
Dictionary of Subjects and Symbols in Art, by James Hall. It's another classic reference book on symbols. I find that book a little old-fashioned though. I have to say I often disagree with books that try to control the definition of symbols too tightly. In more contemporary (cutting-edge maybe?) studies of symbols (semiotics) there's a great emphasis on the idea that symbols change and shift, usually depending on the viewer and the viewer's perspective. I firmly believe that all symbols are at least somewhat unstable and can be questioned or re-interpreted.
I think this is why something like BBM is so endlessly fascinating and can generate 2-years worth of deep discussion by so many people... everyone brings their own perspective to this film which is just filled with ambiguity when it comes to meaning and symbols.
Obviously, I personally, love to talk about Jack-and-the-wind and Ennis-and-the-Earth, etc. but I'm fully aware that other viewers might view all of these nature symbols, etc. completely differently. I think the symbols themselves
are there as hooks for viewers, but that all viewers will come up with their own versions of the meanings of those symbols.