Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Ennis & Alma's wedding scene
Katie77:
Judge Holden.....only someone who has gone through it could have worded and explained the wedding scene as perfectly as you have. Thank you for your insight, and I have no doubt that your interpretation is very accurate, from the visuals we see and also what thoughts Ennis was probably thinking.
And your final paragraph, oh god yes, how true, that it spelt the beginning of 20yrs of frustration and anxiety for both Ennis and Jack. Little did we know that, as we watched that wedding scene. Little did Ennis know either what it was the beginning of.
I agree too, with Chowhound about the voice over of the Lords Prayer, starting while Ennis was still crouched in the alley way....beginning with the end of his Brokeback experience and ending with the beginning of the "normal" life he was committing himself to with Alma. It signifies the religious boundaries of one way of life against the other.
Brown Eyes:
--- Quote from: Katie77 on December 02, 2008, 07:08:39 pm ---And your final paragraph, oh god yes, how true, that it spelt the beginning of 20yrs of frustration and anxiety for both Ennis and Jack. Little did we know that, as we watched that wedding scene. Little did Ennis know either what it was the beginning of.
--- End quote ---
I think Ennis probably had at least a little sense that getting married wasn't the best idea from the prespective of personal desires and happiness. Yes, the wedding set into motion a lot of misery for himself and Jack, but also for Alma. It does seem very true that Ennis is going through with this marriage out of his characteristic desire to try to have a "normal" life that won't freak out the "people on the pavement"... or to appease Society (as I believe the gathering in the church represents). I think he knows this is all a very dicey situation even during the ceremony, which is why he looks so pained.
It's also interesting to wonder at exactly what point Ennis understands all the ramifications of his emotional breakdown in the alley. He mentions to Jack (in the story) that it "took me about a year a figure out it was that I shouldn't a let you out a my sights. Too late then by a long, long while." So, by the November wedding, Ennis probably hasn't made a lot of progress in processing his emotions regarding Jack.
Katie77:
--- Quote from: atz75 on December 02, 2008, 11:59:47 pm ---It's also interesting to wonder at exactly what point Ennis understands all the ramifications of his emotional breakdown in the alley. He mentions to Jack (in the story) that it "took me about a year a figure out it was that I shouldn't a let you out a my sights. Too late then by a long, long while." So, by the November wedding, Ennis probably hasn't made a lot of progress in processing his emotions regarding Jack.
--- End quote ---
Maybe he realized after a year married to Alma, that he was not getting the fullfillment or the satisfaction that he had got with Jack. Maybe he thought that once he got married, the time on Brokeback would be just a faint memory, and when it wasn't after a year, he knew that it was in his soul forever, and that he had definately gone in the wrong direction, but now could find no way out of it.
LauraGigs:
Katie and Holden, your thoughts are so well put. "In his soul forever..." Totally.
--- Quote from: sfericsf on December 02, 2008, 12:10:16 am ---You are all funny. I never thought the Jolly Minister represented anything...
--- End quote ---
IMO, there was one major telling moment with the minister:
"I now pronounce you man and wife"
[Ennis leans in to kiss Alma, then straightens up as minister speaks again]
"You may kiss the bride."
[Ennis leans in again, then straightens up as minister speaks again]
"And if you don't, I will."
[Ennis laughs weakly with the group, then finally kisses Alma]
It's a microcosm of Ennis's dilemma; he can't express love without outside approval.
Brown Eyes:
--- Quote from: LauraGigs on December 03, 2008, 12:14:01 pm ---It's a microcosm of Ennis's dilemma; he can't express love without outside approval.
--- End quote ---
Ooooooooooooo, this is really good Laura! What a good, concise way to describe Ennis's frame of mind when it comes to love and convention.
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