Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
TOTW 12/08: What's your take on the detailed nature descriptions in the SS?
brokeplex:
--- Quote from: BlissC on April 16, 2008, 05:26:46 pm ---Sorry, I think I've missed something. What's the significance of 17?
--- End quote ---
also Ennis puts the number "17" on his mail box outside his little trailer house.
the number "17" is made up of two digits : the number one and the number seven, if you add 1+ 7 together, they equal "8".
why is the number "8" important? It was important to Jack, and Ennis had to remember this. Jack wanted to be successful at rodeo, and in order to have a successful ride on a bull you must stay on the bull for 8 seconds. The usage of the term "8 seconds" is very important cowboy lore and country and western music. It is metaphorical for success and achievement. When Ennis puts the "17" on his mail box, he then steps back and looks at it. I think that he saw the composite as adding up to 8 and was amused.
for what its worth :)
optom3:
--- Quote from: oilfieldtrash on April 18, 2008, 12:02:33 am ---also Ennis puts the number "17" on his mail box outside his little trailer house.
the number "17" is made up of two digits : the number one and the number seven, if you add 1+ 7 together, they equal "8".
why is the number "8" important? It was important to Jack, and Ennis had to remember this. Jack wanted to be successful at rodeo, and in order to have a successful ride on a bull you must stay on the bull for 8 seconds. The usage of the term "8 seconds" is very important cowboy lore and country and western music. It is metaphorical for success and achievement. When Ennis puts the "17" on his mail box, he then steps back and looks at it. I think that he saw the composite as adding up to 8 and was amused.
for what its worth :)
--- End quote ---
That is fascinting I never knew that.Ennis does stand back and look at the numbers.I always figured there had to be some significance after all sticking numbers on a mailbox is harly a work of art.Now maybe you ave come up with a reason why.I just love the Jack and rodeo idea.
brokeplex:
--- Quote from: optom3 on April 18, 2008, 08:26:41 am ---That is fascinting I never knew that.Ennis does stand back and look at the numbers.I always figured there had to be some significance after all sticking numbers on a mailbox is harly a work of art.Now maybe you ave come up with a reason why.I just love the Jack and rodeo idea.
--- End quote ---
when you watch the film again, look for references to 8 seconds. I was doing a mental inventory of some of my fav CW hits, and I counted 10 mentions of "8" seconds in various hits by various artists. :)
brokeplex:
I noticed two mentionings of the number 8 when looking at the film.
1) Ennis speaking to Jack at the campsite about him not "seeing the purpose in riding a piece of stock for 8 seconds".
2) Jack mentioning to Ennis in 1967 that his son is 8 months old
I also noticed that if you add up Generation # 2 ( Ennis and Jacks contemporaries), there are 8 of them
Ennis, Jack, Alma, Lureen, LaShawn, Randall, Monroe, and Cassey.
Interestingly, adding up Generation #1 ( the parents of Generation #2 who have speaking roles in the film), there are 4 of them
OMT, Mrs Twist, LD, and Mrs Newsome
for what its worth, :)
Front-Ranger:
--- Quote from: Dal on April 17, 2008, 06:34:23 pm ---D'OH!! It's my birthday today -- and I was really busy at work, forgot all about it til I read this! And Im supposed to be going out. Thanks Front Ranger!r
--- End quote ---
When you are so busy at work you forget it's your birthday, then you are too busy. Either that, or you have a fascinating job!
Good points about the Number Eight, oilgun. Eight is also very important (and means prosperity) in Asian cultures, like the Chinese/Taiwanese culture of Ang Lee.
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