Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Double meanings: Lines that can be taken more than one way
Front-Ranger:
Well, I'm taking it in the somewhat literal way, meaning, calf roping you stay in the saddle, don't get thrown on the ground, therefore no need for a clown to distract the bull from stomping on you. But the other way to take it is "go after calves and fillies, not bulls," meaning go straight. Of course there's also the interpretation that Jack might have more success with younger people of either orientation.
Kajunite:
Interesting food for thought!
Brown Eyes:
Wow Mikaela ! I LOVE all the meanings you found for Twist. Really, really interesting... and some of those definitions become downright poetic when we apply them to Jack and the relationship.
I also like the alternative interpretations of Mar. There's certainly a lot of creative naming (unusual naming) in this story in general. What do we think about Ennis and Alma's decision to name their first daughter Alma Junior? I know it's not entirely uncommon/ unheard-of to name a girl Junior after her Mother, but I wonder if this is thrown into the story to add a little (more) complexity/ fluidity to the idea of gender. I assume we're to understand that Jack is really John Junior. I also wonder if there's meaning behind "Newsome"?
--- Quote from: Kajunite on July 12, 2006, 05:10:09 pm ---Okay I'm a slow reader! ;D I hope to get some of these sharp wits to comment on this line. Bartender, "Ever try calf ropin'?" Puleezzee!
--- End quote ---
Heya Kajunite! Welcome to BetterMost... Want a cup of coffee don't you? And a piece of cherry cake? I agree with the two ideas suggested by Front-Ranger. And, I think (as Jack sort of indicates by his response... and his irritation at the bartender) that this might not only be a sexually charged thing to say... but also an insult about class/ money. Long ago, way back on the old board, there was a really complicated discussion about what this reference meant in terms of the economics/ hierarchy of rodeo culture. It was really interesting, but lost on me a bit since I don't know anything about rodeo-ing other than what Jack taught me... And that it sure ain't what it was back in John Twist Sr.'s day...
;)
Kajunite:
Thanks for the welcome. We love Coffee in Louisiana; stronger the better.
I kept thinking the bartender's remark was in some way tied to the rejection of the clown, Jimbo. There is no need to be rescued in calf roping. But you are in the ring with a mad bull with horns the size of Texas, and you need to be saved by the big boys or clowns. Rodeo clowns are also used for comedy routines when things slow down like between bulls or events. So they are not just for rescue purposes. My neighbor has one of the largest rodeo companies in this state and travels all over with his rodeo. In all fairness I have never been to a gay rodeo but I have been to several others.
Affording a certain horse would have been a problem then especially since Jack was not a big time winner. So his response was understandable in social and financial terms.
Brown Eyes:
Hi again,
Thanks for that insight. So, in rodeo culture, I'd assume that bull-riding would be considered more prestigious than calf roping? I'd think the drama/ risk of bull-riding would make it one of the star events. Is the bartender essentially "talking down" to Jack or suggesting he think about demoting himself to calf-roping? Yes, I'm sure the main point of the bartender's comment has to do with the rejection he just saw between Jimbo and Jack. But, it's be fun to try to tease out some other more subtle/ multiple meanings that might be hiding there.
:)
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version