Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Aguirre's office
serious crayons:
Amanda, I just love the idea you advanced on the other thread that Aguirre's office could be a bookend to Jack's bedroom -- that is, a room that contains a microcosm of the story. Let's look around the place for images and try to figure it out!
For example, as you mentioned, the binoculars were not only a practical tool for observing Jack and Ennis, but they also symbolically represent "the eyes of society."
And the fans, of course, are symbolic of Jack.
The lamb/jackalope/whatever-it-is head on the wall -- could that be another symbolic representation, in cuter form, of the slaughtered lamb and thus of Earl and Jack?
I noticed just now that the two jackets hanging together on the coat rack to Jack's right are blue and tan.
And of course, we've discussed this before, but the sign outside encompasses the whole movie. "Trespassers will be shot. Survivors will be shot again." Jack and Ennis "trespassed," and Ennis, the survivor, was shot again with grief and guilt.
What else? The phone, the keys, the clipboards ...?
Brown Eyes:
--- Quote from: seriouscrayons on May 02, 2008, 01:41:36 pm ---Amanda, I just love the idea you advanced on the other thread that Aguirre's office could be a bookend to Jack's bedroom -- that is, a room that contains a microcosm of the story. Let's look around the place for images and try to figure it out!
For example, as you mentioned, the binoculars were not only a practical tool for observing Jack and Ennis, but they also symbolically represent "the eyes of society."
And the fans, of course, are symbolic of Jack.
The lamb/jackalope/whatever-it-is head on the wall -- could that be another symbolic representation, in cuter form, of the slaughtered lamb and thus of Earl and Jack?
I noticed just now that the two jackets hanging together on the coat rack to Jack's right are blue and tan.
And of course, we've discussed this before, but the sign outside encompasses the whole movie. "Trespassers will be shot. Survivors will be shot again." Jack and Ennis "trespassed," and Ennis, the survivor, was shot again with grief and guilt.
What else? The phone, the keys, the clipboards ...?
--- End quote ---
Thanks K! These are all really interesting observations. I love that you note the two jackets hanging together.
Aguirre's offics is so loaded with details, I've always been curious about what some of them might mean.
One thing that might be significant, in addition to the things you've already mentioned, is the coffee thermos. Of course, coffee is such a big theme and this seems to be the first introduction. Also the structure of a thermos is interesting when you think about all the previous discussions that have gone on about coffeepots and vessels (i.e. buckets, etc.). A thermos intrinsically combines the "coffeepot" (or the container part the holds the coffee) and the vessel out of which you drink (or the vessel that catches the coffee). Maybe I'm pushing this too far... but there could be something interesting in that. Or, additionally, there are two trash cans behind Jack (one large can and a smaller rectilinear one), which may also play into the bucket theme.
I'm also curious about the large white thing on the counter behind Jack... is that a small refrigerator? And then, next to that, built into the wall there appear to be vents (maybe heating vents?). I wonder if this is a situation where weather or natural things like snow or fire are being represented in man-made form.
Front-Ranger:
--- Quote from: Penthesilea on January 11, 2008, 12:10:49 pm ---Calling FRiend Lee: tell us sumpthn about containers, will ya? :-*
--- End quote ---
I think friend Amanda said it better than I could!!
Penthesilea:
--- Quote from: atz75 on May 02, 2008, 02:17:27 pm ---I'm also curious about the large white thing on the counter behind Jack... is that a small refrigerator?
--- End quote ---
For two years I've thought it's a safe. Only a few days ago I noticed it looks more like a fridge than a safe.
Another detail that's intriguing me is the note on the wall next to Ennis. We can read "I've never - "
First I connected Aguirre with this note and thought of a 'saying' (not really a saying) sometimes seen in pubs in Germany that goes something like (paraphrasing): "I've never lend money to anyone and I won't start with you." I connected the note with Aguirre never doing anything friendly for anyone.
But lately I connect the note with Ennis and him still being a virgin: "I've never" (yet! ;D)
Oh, and one other thing:
the lamp on Aguirre's desk looks like a spaceship to me. Does anyone remember those models of spaceships sold years ago? Mostly of the Enterprise?
It really looks out of place and too big. Aguirre has not only a big-ass pair of binoculars, he also has a too big lamp to be able to see everything. Aguirre the God-like figure who sees everything.
brokeplex:
--- Quote from: Penthesilea on May 02, 2008, 04:54:50 pm ---For two years I've thought it's a safe. Only a few days ago I noticed it looks more like a fridge than a safe.
Another detail that's intriguing me is the note on the wall next to Ennis. We can read "I've never - "
First I connected Aguirre with this note and thought of a 'saying' (not really a saying) sometimes seen in pubs in Germany that goes something like (paraphrasing): "I've never lend money to anyone and I won't start with you." I connected the note with Aguirre never doing anything friendly for anyone.
But lately I connect the note with Ennis and him still being a virgin: "I've never" (yet! ;D)
Oh, and one other thing:
the lamp on Aguirre's desk looks like a spaceship to me. Does anyone remember those models of spaceships sold years ago? Mostly of the Enterprise?
It really looks out of place and too big. Aguirre has not only a big-ass pair of binoculars, he also has a too big lamp to be able to see everything. Aguirre the God-like figure who sees everything.
--- End quote ---
wow, thanks for noticing these details! that note would be consistent with his handmade warning sign out front: "tresspassers will be shot and survivors will be shot again".
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