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TOTW 01/09: Jack meeting Alma - symbolism and questions (story-related)

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Penthesilea:
Hi Bettermostians  :D,

after a long hiatus, we have another TOTW.

First a few words concerning the TOTW. This feature will be going on, but no longer on a weekly basis. I'll continue to put up a TOTW at irregular intervals, whenever I think of something interesting or when someone suggests a topic (so please continue to do so :)).


Now on with today's topic:
This topic was suggested by TempaTalon. Thank you Steve!

Our topic this week is story-related and starts out with two quotes and some questions.

From the story:

"Behind her in the room lightning lit the window like a white sheet waving in the wind and the baby cried.“
(after Ennis introduced Jack)

Some thoughts/questions on the above quote from Steve (TempaTalon):

White sheet waving= surrender of marriage or surrender of Jack & Ennis to each other finally?

Baby cries=great sadness? The beginning of the end for marriage or beginning of the end for Jack and Ennis?



Just a few paragraphs above we read these sentences by Annie Proulx:
„The door opened again a few inches and Alma stood in the narrow light. What could he say? „Alma, this is Jack Twist, Jack, my wife Alma.“ His chest was heaving. [...]. „Alma,“ he said, „Jack and me ain't seen each other in four years. As if it were a reason.“


When rereading the part with the reunion kiss and subsequently Jack meeting Alma a new thought occurred to me: did Ennis realize that Alma had seen them kissing? What does he provide an explanation for with his comment about the four years? - For their kiss/making out session (IMO).  As if it were a reason – for what? Again, for their kiss.

It's that little sentence „as if it were a reason“ which makes me think story-Ennis might have realized that she saw them. Of course, E&J both must have been aware that they were quite a suspicious or at least strange sight: trembling like a run out horse, chest heaving, etc. But somehow I think Ennis did refer not only to their actual state, but also to the kiss seconds earlier.


What are your thoughts on the symbolism in Steve's sentence and the question about the kiss? Let's discuss the subtleties of the scene


Jack meeting Alma

Brown Eyes:


Just dropping by to say this is a great topic!  :D 

I'll come back and post a real response later tonight when I'm home from work.
:)

tampatalon:
Well, as always, I find Ms Proulx words brilliantly placed. Along with
the symbolism of the "white sheet" of course once again the word
"wind" appears so wonderfully intertwined!


TampaTalon^">

retropian:
In the SS, I think Ennis was so worked up and over the moon in that moment, that he didn't care if Alma figured it out. Jack too in the SS was overcome with emotion and shaking because of it (been there!). In the film, that scene seems more subdued. It didn't seem Jack was trembling or overcome with emotion, which I would have liked to have seen. The symbolism of the scene is something I don't think has been discussed, and right now I have no ideas. So I'll ponder it for a while, hmmm.....

Monika:
I have a hard time making up my mind. On the one hand, I do´t feel it´s  consistant with the rest of the story that Ennis knows that Alma knows. He´s so paranoid, surely he would have reacted to being caught in the act?
On the other hand,the scene itself suggests it.

It´s very sketchy and I think it´s supposed to be that way. I think Annie meant for us to make up our own minds, just like with the details surrounding Jack´s death.

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