Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Religious symbolism in Brokeback
ifyoucantfixit:
Not much to add here, but I always have thought that Jack was the Christ figure, sent to
redeem Ennis from the lost. It is first shown in my opinion, when Jack is seen carrying the
sheep on his shoulders. Crossing the river. The symbolism to the Good Shephard, and walking on water,
makes him the representative of the christ figure. Later on he is seen taking care of the young lamb,
removing the thorns from the foot. The thorns being another referrence to the crown of thorns.
TOoP/Bruce:
--- Quote from: atz75 on November 08, 2007, 11:55:44 pm ---
What do you all make of the anchor on Jack's bedroom wall (beyond being a reference to Ennis's name)... Is there more to be said about that in terms of any kind of religious meaning? Maybe more of a reference to the fish/ water-walking-Jesus theme?
--- End quote ---
The placement of an anchor in a bedroom of boy growing up in Wyoming should be reason enough to question it's symbolic significance. Geographically it is way out of place. Thematically it does tie together with fish and Waterwalking Jesus..
Before Christian times, the anchor was a common symbol of safety. Lightning Flat is something of a safe place most likely because he knows his mother's love. Jack's father seems to be a jerk, but doesn't seem to have much to do with Jack's attraction to men. It is in this safety of his childhood bedroom that Jack chooses to conceal the shirts that are his treasured memory of the summer of '63.
As an early Christian symbol, the anchor represented the hope of salvation in the next life, and perhaps this symbol is the most relevant for Brokeback Mountain. The hope that lovers unable to overcome barriers to sharing a life in this world, may someday be reunited in the world hereafter.
Artiste:
Wow, wow, wow, atz75, if youcantfixit, and Bruce!!!
You remark information concerning religious symbols are numerous and detailed, and welcomed!!!
May I remark that Jack's father in that scene where Ennis sees him... is remarkable, and maybe too as a religious symbol. I do not believe that Jack's father is uncaring, since I think it is otherwise, because he tells Ennis off! He would accept Ennis living and working his farm? Therefore, Jack father is accepting that his son is a gay man and accepts too Ennis (in his own manly way)?
Hugs!
Dal:
What about the 30 cents that Ennis pays for the last postcard? It's so called-attention-to.
Brown Eyes:
--- Quote from: Dal on November 13, 2007, 10:13:41 pm ---What about the 30 cents that Ennis pays for the last postcard? It's so called-attention-to.
--- End quote ---
Well, what do you make of the significance of the 30 cents? It seems that there are lots of significant numbers in BBM... the numbers 17 and 3 seem particularly to stand out. I think it's sort of easy to get carried-away with the numbers. But, they really must mean something. Because, you're right, there are definitely instances where numbers are made to really stand out. I honestly hadn't thought much about the number 30 until now. I'm curious to hear your interpretation.
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