Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Annie says Jack's death is a "test"
SFEnnisSF:
Over on TOB is an interesting topic and theory I've never heard before. A few posters over there quote Annie Proulx as saying the ambiguity of Jack's death is a "test".
Quote "forloveoffilm":
"Further, I love how Proulx chose to make Jack's death ambigious. She said it was a litmus test. Those who choose to see it as an 'accident' are more confident and comfortable with their own sexuality. Those who choose to see it as a 'murder' are those still struggling with their identity or think of homosexuals as victims."
I find this facinating!
For me, I have always believed Jack was murdered. I also admit that I am personally fearful of violence or hatred directed at me for being gay. So, this test or theory, does ring true for me.
Here is the thread:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0388795/board/flat/89411013?p=1
Thoughts from Bettermostians....?
Front-Ranger:
Well, I thought of Jack's death as a murder, but that was because of Matthew Shepherd. I think I am a realist. I can see where Annie Proulx set this up this way, but she was not quite successful in my opinion because she did not make his demise quite e-nuff ambiguous. What works better is the fact that Ennis, with all his paranoia, lived his days out in peace in his trailer, while trusting Jack met an early end.
:'(
SFEnnisSF:
--- Quote from: Front-Ranger on November 09, 2007, 01:22:42 pm ---she did not make his demise quite e-nuff ambiguous.
--- End quote ---
Really? Do you not remember the long discussions and debates about this? Or is it that it was not enough ambiguous for you, as you concluded he was murdered, based on your feelings about Matthew Shepherd? I admit I have always thought it was a murder, probably because I've personally seen first hand things similar like this covered up, because of Matthew Shepherd, because I myself have been a victim of anti-gay violence...
--- Quote from: Front-Ranger on November 09, 2007, 01:22:42 pm ---Well, I thought of Jack's death as a murder, but that was because of Matthew Shepherd. I think I am a realist.
--- End quote ---
Could this mean perhaps that everyone who sees it as an accident is in denial? Or perhaps they themselves have never experienced anti-gay violence or hatred directed at them or their loved ones first hand?
Scott6373:
There's something about this whole exercise that bothers me. I question the psychology she uses. I don't know of anyone who saw the film who thought it was an accident. I have to think on this for a while.
SFEnnisSF:
--- Quote from: Scott on November 09, 2007, 01:43:55 pm ---There's something about this whole exercise that bothers me. I question the psychology she uses. I don't know of anyone who saw the film who thought it was an accident. I have to think on this for a while.
--- End quote ---
My ex-partner was adament it was an accident. Him and I got in a huge argument about it in the car after seeing the movie.
And what makes it interesting and why I believe this theory, is that he is quite the "openly gay" man. Seems to have no fears about it. Has always lived in the big accepting City. Came out when he was 12 and all.
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