Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
P.O. Boxes, Mailboxes and the No. 17
Front-Ranger:
I searched on coffeepot over on DC and I was disappointed to find no insights similar to ours, only many references to Ennis's quote during the lake scene.
serious crayons:
--- Quote from: marlb42 on February 12, 2007, 08:03:02 pm ---I love the symbolism stuff, and well maybe some of it is a little excess, but so what?
It is fun, but I do wonder about it all, how much was really intentional?
I suppose it really doesn't matter, but it is all there.
--- End quote ---
Hi Marlb! Well, some of us sure do think it's all or at least mostly there and all or at least mostly intentional. Not only that, but I'd go so far as to say there's more there that we haven't yet uncovered or talked about. The symbolism in BBM is complex and subtle, but if you suspend judgement and are open to looking closely, it becomes so clear you'll know it couldn't be accidental. Not everybody is interested in doing that, which is fine -- it's not like you can't enjoy the movie without it (obviously! :)). But for those of us who do, it enriches our experience of the movie immeasurably.
If you're interested, here are a couple of excellent threads about symbolism:
This one, initiated by Front-Ranger, is called "On buckets, eagles, impatience, and ..."
http://bettermost.net/forum/index.php/topic,569.0.html
Here's one called "Black hats, white hats," started by ednbarby:
http://bettermost.net/forum/index.php/topic,1266.0.html
Cameron:
Thanks Katherine,
I will read those the whole threads when I have the time.
I think it is true that some are still to be dixovered or at least talked about.
It is amazing now that I watched it so many times, how many new things I see, now that I can focus more on it and less on the words.
Like it just hit me yesterday, the lamp next to Ennis when he was waiting for Jack during the reunion sequence, how much it looks like the buckets.
And I do wonder about the kniife set in the trailer, and the fan on the bed. Okay that one may be a little obvious, but it had to be intentional.
And the headlights, and you know what, this may sound really over the top, but did you notice at times the sheep sound like crying children?
Yes, I am serious, they do ;D ;D ;D
Cameron:
I noticed this last night, and I know that some of you are going to think I went off the deep end, but I am serious. I did see this.
During the shot of the sheep between TS1 and TS2, almost all of the sheep are moving towards the right.
But in the middle of the screen, are two tallish sheep that are just standing there, not moving, pointed to the left.
Many of the sheep were computer generated, weren't they? So I would think it did not just happen, but was intentional.
I mean the symbolism is perfect, two sheep going against the masses and society, towards the left!
I know it sounds silly but it is there. :D
Front-Ranger:
Interesting, marlb! Say did you see the poster for the Dutch play of Brokeback Mountain which shows a lamb being carried by a shirtless man? The Dutch seem to share your viewpoint that the sheep make for a powerful symbol. I don't think we have a sheep thread yet. Why don't you start one? I would be interested in reading it!
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