Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum

fffffffzzzzzzzzzzzzzap! (lightning and electricity references)

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Penthesilea:
More electricity:
Ennis refuses to apply for a job at the power company. In the story, it is only shortly mentioned. But in the movie, it is more broad.

From screenplay:

Alma reads the want ads

Alma: Ennis...they got a openin' over at the power company. Might be good pay.

Ennis: Clumsy as I am, I'd probably get electrocuted.

First, I don't think of Ennis as clumsy and doubt he sees himself like that. Probably only an excuse for not applying there and avoiding a discussion right then; in this scene he is hurriedly preparing for a trip (the one when he forgets the tackle box and Alma reminds him).

Second, on a symbolic level, Ennis doesn't want to get too near to sources of great amounts (high voltage) of electricity. But he sure likes the little sparks/electrical current snapping  between him and Jack.

Just like he wants to be with Jack, but not too near, meaning not permanent. And for the same reason: he is afraid to die from it. Being electrocuted while working for the power company respectively being beaten to death for living with Jack.

Mikaela:
I'll admit I've sometimes thought the lightning on reunion night was a bit of overkill on Ms. Proulx's part. (I'm sorry, please don't hit me!  :o  )  As in, somewhat unneccessary to get the point across concerning the impact of the reunion on the 3 people directly  involved. I've been thinking it's making a huge emotional impression anyway, without the use of the somewhat tried-and-true lightning/weather methapor. 

But reading your post Meryl, I've now seen the light, as it were. Seriously, it gave me a better understanding and appreciation of that specific weather imagery. Thank you.  :)

It just amazes me no end that there's still something new to discover here!

 

Meryl:
Wow, thanks Mika, coming from you, that makes my day!  8)

Dal:
oh yeah -- the brilliant charge of thier coupling, and the radio batteries that go dead.

Mikaela:
Oh yes!

Responding to some things upthread:


--- Quote ---I like the scene where Jack is sleeping up on the mountain, a blue heeler beside him, and lightning/thunder is seen/heard off in the distance.
--- End quote ---

I love that! Because the film also shows us exactly where that distant bad weather *is* - Ennis is getting the full benefit of it, whiling away his time in the tent whittling that little horse. That lightning in the distance seems a direct link between scenes of Ennis and Jack - an instance of Lee picking up on Proulx's methaphors?

BTW, why do you think he didn't include the lightning storm during the film reunion? Would it have seemed like visual overkill? Taken the impact away from the force of the acting? Made for too much thunder and lightning throughout the film?  ???



--- Quote ---(about the electric carving knife) Well, you know my theory about that, right?
--- End quote ---

Well, I don't. Please enlighten me?  :)

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