Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Why is the "dozy embrace" in the film?
Brown Eyes:
Just as an interesting exercise... here are the definitions of "embrace" and "hold" according to the dictionary I have on hand at the moment (Webster's Ninth Collegiate Dictionary- a nice leather bound copy I might add ::) ).
Anyway, I'm maintaining the dictionary's capitalization and puncutation here. I'm omitting some extraneous info about pronunciation and grammar (and I'm omitting the little examples of usage contained within the definitions in the dictionary text). The two definitions of "embrace" are essentially the complete entries for this word (as a verb and as a noun). I'm being more selective with "hold" because the definition is extremely long... and frankly no one wants to read all of it I'm guessing. I'll give you the first 7 definitions of "hold" as a verb out of almost a page of variations. In any case, the definitions for "embrace" seem quite poetic when we think about our boys. "Hold" contains within it some more problematic meanings. The more I read the definitions of "hold" the more disturbing it actually is to think of it as being part of a marriage ceremony (a context noted in an earlier post)- since its main meanings have to do with possession, physical containment and control - even repression. In a way, the choice of the word "embrace" seems to be a pretty direct word to choose to convey the idea of a sweet hug. It seems like a much less complex word and a more unproblematically romantic word. For what it's worth.
em-brace, vb-
1) a: to clasp in the arms: HUG b: CHERISH. LOVE 2): ENCIRCLE, ENCLOSE 3) a: to take up esp. readily or gladly b: to avail oneself of: WELCOME 4) a: to take in or include as a part, item, or element of a more enclusive whole b: to be equal or equivalent vt: to participate in an embrace syn: see ADOPT, INCLUDE
em-brace, n-
1): a close encircling with the arms and pressure to the bosom esp. as a sign of affection: HUG 2): GRIP, ENCIRCLEMENT 3): ACCEPTANCE
hold, vb-
1) a: to have possession or ownership of or have at one's disposal b: to have the as a privilege or position of responsibility c: to have as a mark of distinction 2): to keep under restraint a: to prevent free expression of b: to prevent from some action c: to keep back from use d: to delay temporarily the handling of 3): to make liable or accountable or bound to an obligation 4) a: to have or maintainin the grasp b: to support or keep from falling or moving c: to bear the pressure of: SUPPORT 5): to prevent from leaving or getting away a: to avoid emitting or letting out b: to restrain as or as if a captive 6) a: to enclose and keep in a container or within bounds: CONTAIN b: to be able to consume easily or without due effect c: ACCOMMODATE d: to have as a principal or essential feature or attribute; also to have in store 7) a: to have in the mind or express as a judgment, opinion or belief b: to think of in a particular way: REGARD
serious crayons:
That's interesting, Amanda. "Embrace" also seems to me to be more about love or affection than "hold."
In any case, I think it would be pretty easy for the filmmakers to suggest physical reluctance on Ennis' part, if they wanted to. For instance, they do just that, before the sexual part of their relationship begins, in the post-bear scene -- Ennis won't accept Jack's nurturing. But in the parallel post-Earl story scene, he does.
Also, it's very meaningful to me that Ennis NEVER looks anything less than thrilled to see Jack. Even in the post-divorce scene, his initial reaction is a smile and huge hug.
jpwagoneer1964:
--- Quote from: latjoreme on July 27, 2006, 12:28:59 am ---That's interesting, Amanda. "Embrace" also seems to me to be more about love or affection than "hold."
In any case, I think it would be pretty easy for the filmmakers to suggest physical reluctance on Ennis' part, if they wanted to. For instance, they do just that, before the sexual part of their relationship begins, in the post-bear scene -- Ennis won't accept Jack's nurturing. But in the parallel post-Earl story scene, he does.
Also, it's very meaningful to me that Ennis NEVER looks anything less than thrilled to see Jack. Even in the post-divorce scene, his initial reaction is a smile and huge hug.
--- End quote ---
Excellent point. And remember the friendly jostling after shootuing the elk?
nakymaton:
Ennis's conflicted looks seem to show up when he's brought out of the immediate moment and has to think about longterm plans or about the rest of the world.* (Examples -- when Ennis comes back to see the tent coming down; when Jack says "what're we gonna do now" in the Motel Siesta; after Jack mentions the cow and calf operation; after Jack give the first "kiss me" look in the post-divorce scene.)
*(At least from TS2 on. I think Ennis looks pretty confused on the morning after TS1.)
But, yeah, Katherine, Ennis looks happiest and least conflicted in little moments with Jack.
serious crayons:
--- Quote from: nakymaton on July 27, 2006, 01:18:02 am ---Ennis's conflicted looks seem to show up when he's brought out of the immediate moment and has to think about longterm plans or about the rest of the world.* (Examples -- when Ennis comes back to see the tent coming down; when Jack says "what're we gonna do now" in the Motel Siesta; after Jack mentions the cow and calf operation; after Jack give the first "kiss me" look in the post-divorce scene.)
--- End quote ---
Very good point, Mel. Although I'd argue that those are different kinds of examples. When Ennis sees the tent coming down, his look to me is purely about disappointment over having to part with Jack prematurely, not discomfort about their relationship itself. Same thing in the motel; he's sad that the happiness with Jack can't last. But in the cow-and-calf scene and the post-divorce "kiss me" moment -- as well as the "why don't you move to Texas" scene -- his reaction more clearly shows him feeling that Jack is coming on too strong.
--- Quote ---*(At least from TS2 on. I think Ennis looks pretty confused on the morning after TS1.)
--- End quote ---
That's true. It's like he turns a corner in TS2.
--- Quote ---Ennis looks happiest and least conflicted in little moments with Jack.
--- End quote ---
The one I always think of is the "look what I brought" scene -- such a fleeting moment, but the huge happy smiles they both give upon seeing each other says a lot.
As long as their relationship stays status quo and sticks to Ennis' rules, he's happy when they're together. Even in those last scenes he seems very content. There's no doubt that Ennis was uncomfortable about the fact that he was in a relationship with a man. But he didn't let those doubts affect his affectionate behavior toward Jack, except on those occasions when Jack tried to push their relationship to a different level.
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