Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
TOTW 26/08: Symbolism of food in the movie
Front-Ranger:
--- Quote from: Katie77 on September 29, 2008, 09:49:02 pm ---I think you are right in that the use of the food was in some ways showing the nurturing.
In the same way as with all the food scenes on Brokeback.....it seems to show how the boys quite comfortably "set up house" together. How they just took it in their stride to cook and feed each other.
--- End quote ---
Sue. you are so right. First Ennis, and then Jack served as the camp "tender", applying tender loving care to the hardworking herder. How wonderful it was for them to play house up on Brokeback!!
Gabreya:
Yummy. :)
optom3:
I think food is used as an analogy to compare the differents relationships. Food between Jack and Ennis is seen as a relaxed and even loving thing.Ennis ordering soup, even adding salt and pepper to the food he is cooking.He takes such care of everything he prepares for Jack. down to the tiniest details, eg the salt and pepper.
In contrast mealtimes wth their respective families are seen as stressful and fraught. It is I thnk, a unversal fact, that when we love someone, we go to great lengths to provide the best meals we can.It is a caring action and also in many cases a time consuming one.We tackle it however with no thought to that element, only to the joy we are going to bring to our partner.Taste is such a sensual thing.How many of us associate a particular meal with a time of great joy and love? It can be a gastronomic feast or as in my case a simple baguette and pate.Fod for me is inexricably linked with love.
At no time that I can recall in the film do either Jack or Ennis even help with food preparation, never mind cook a meal, with their families.As with all things in the S.S and the film, the devil is in the detail.
In the S.S Ennis dreams of a "can of beans with the spoon handle jutting out".At first we see these dreams as solace for Ennis, but are then thrown for a loop when told" the spoon handle was the kind that could be used as a tire iron."
It seems to me that the only true and unfettered by societies dictates times for the boys, are up on BBM. Simple meals lovingly prepared by the campfire.Washed down with a drink or two, and accompanied by chat, laughter and song. The true inner peace and contentment of these time is almost tangible.Yet of course for us the viewer, we know that even these glorious days of loves first young bloom are being slowly frozen, and starting to wilt, under the unseen watching eye of Aguirre.
Gabreya:
--- Quote from: optom3 on September 30, 2008, 10:52:18 am ---I think food is used as an analogy to compare the differents relationships. Food between Jack and Ennis is seen as a relaxed and even loving thing.Ennis ordering soup, even adding salt and pepper to the food he is cooking.He takes such care of everything he prepares for Jack. down to the tiniest details, eg the salt and pepper.
In contrast mealtimes wth their respective families are seen as stressful and fraught. It is I thnk, a unversal fact, that when we love someone, we go to great lengths to provide the best meals we can.It is a caring action and also in many cases a time consuming one.We tackle it however with no thought to that element, only to the joy we are going to bring to our partner.Taste is such a sensual thing.How many of us associate a particular meal with a time of great joy and love? It can be a gastronomic feast or as in my case a simple baguette and pate.Fod for me is inexricably linked with love.
At no time that I can recall in the film do either Jack or Ennis even help with food preparation, never mind cook a meal, with their families.As with all things in the S.S and the film, the devil is in the detail.
In the S.S Ennis dreams of a "can of beans with the spoon handle jutting out".At first we see these dreams as solace for Ennis, but are then thrown for a loop when told" the spoon handle was the kind that could be used as a tire iron."
It seems to me that the only true and unfettered by societies dictates times for the boys, are up on BBM. Simple meals lovingly prepared by the campfire.Washed down with a drink or two, and accompanied by chat, laughter and song. The true inner peace and contentment of these time is almost tangible.Yet of course for us the viewer, we know that even these glorious days of loves first young bloom are being slowly frozen, and starting to wilt, under the unseen watching eye of Aguirre.
--- End quote ---
Ain't that the truth, optom. You summed it up nicely! Food between the two main characters appears very relaxed and sharing when it comes to the growing affection between them. :)
Front-Ranger:
I agree with all you say, Fiona and Gab. However, I need to point out that both Jack and Ennis pitched in on food preparation. As Lureen poured the gravy over the turkey, Jack brought the tray in to the table and prepared to carve before L.D. took the knife away from him. Jack also knew that his wife spent three hours preparing the dinner.
Although late in the movie, Ennis helped by bringing in plates from the table. I always thought it was funny that he helped out while the rest of the family watched tv and smoked a cigar!!
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