I can't wrap my brain around this whole topic just yet, so I just wanted to comment on the "control the weather" part. Aguirre (society) not only held Jack responsible for the weather but also intimated that he could cure pneumonia too. This presents parallels to the life of Jesus, who was predicted to be a messiah who would come and literally save the Jews from their persecutors. In actuality, Jesus had a more abstract mission to save humans through love. I don't want to dwell too much on the Christianity aspects but sometimes they are too strong to ignore.
Slightly OT, but speaking of the scene of Aguirre telling Jack about his uncle. I've always found that scene a bit mysterious -- why bother putting in all the stuff about the uncle? why not just have Aguirre stopping by for a routine check? -- but just over the past 12 hours I have learned two things about it. One, and I can't remember where I saw this last night (for all I know it was back a ways on this thread!), was that Jack felt threatened when he saw Aguirre looking at Ennis through the binocs -- not so much because he felt protective of Ennis just then, which is the way I'd always looked at it, but because he realizes that Aguirre could have been watching them through the binocs at any time. Well, duh! Now it seems obvious. But somehow that had never occurred to me.
And the other sprang from reading the post above about its being Jesus allusion. Aguirre's line, "not much you can do about it down there, either, not unless you can cure pneumonia" can also be interpreted as a foreshadowing reference to Jack's inability to do anything "down there" in society (or down there on earth if you take the Jesus perspective), about Ennis and the way his life winds up going -- not unless he can cure, well, homophobia.
True -- if Jack had told Ennis about the stemming-the-rose remark on the night of the reunion, Ennis would have had to run out and try to beat someone up, and perhaps get beat up himself. And that would have put a damper on the evening.
Especially 'cause she didn't believe me that it's "Aguirre got all over my ass..." till her third viewing. She thought the sheep were afraid 'cause of the lightning, and literally piled up around/on top of Jack, like kids crawling into their parents' bed after a bad dream.
She thought the sheep were afraid 'cause of the lightning, and literally piled up around/on top of Jack, like kids crawling into their parents' bed after a bad dream.
Oh wait, that's me projecting again... ;)eh...potayto, potahto
let me add a haiku i wrote a while back.Very nice. I quite like that.
Winds of the mountain
rush through me and I hear him
wispering my name.
I'm going OT here, but on The Morning AFter when Ennis wakes up, do you recall how loud the sound of the rushing water is outside the tent? And what a happy sound it is?!
I hadn't noticed that, but thanks for pointing it out, Lee! I can almost hear it. I love the way water is used to symbolize their relationship (and how scenes with Ennis and Alma often involve tap -- artificial -- water), and how sad it is when it gets stiller and stiller as the movie goes on, until in the end they're at a lake. I started wondering today if there's any significance in what direction the water is flowing -- from Ennis toward Jack, or vise versa? That might be reaching, though.
Also, lately more details about the flashback are striking me. It's hard to focus on some of the little details here because it's easy (and better) to get swept up in the emotion of the scene. But, I've really been aware of the transition that Lee uses to shift from the intense hug at the end of the argument to the surreal and wistful peacefulness of the flashback. The main transition is facilitated by the sound of the wind!!
:D
Seriously, the sound effect of the wind sort of ushers the viewer out of the mindset of the argument and into the different time/place/mood of the flashback.
Also, at least once, Ang Lee uses a simple shot of water rushing in a stream to transition from a camping trip back to the "real world" in average society.
You know, I just thought of another subtextual meaning for "see you in the morning" besides the sort of metaphysical ones we've discussed (e.g., see you in the next world, see you when society becomes less homophobic, etc.). In both the past and the present, Ennis rides off, confident that he will see Jack in the morning (or "in November," in the present). And in the flashback, he will. But in the present, he won't.
In both the flashback and the present, Ennis doesn't look back (obviously in the present because he's in the truck, and in the flashback he just concentrates on looking ahead. Interesting that in both of these instances we presume that Ennis is anticipating a future with Jack (we assume he leaves the argument thinking that November actuall will happen...). This reminds me of the end of their summer on Brokeback. Katherine, I know we've chatted a bit about the lasso, "confusing tussle" situations and Jack's upbeat tone through much of this. It's been discussed that Ennis is all upset at the end of the Brokeback summer because he feels that it's the end of his time with Jack (so his mood is grumpy, pessimistic and angry). Whereas at the end of that first summer Jack doesn't seem to perceive that it signals the end of their relationship at all. It's interesting that at the end of the flashback there's that famous look from Jack that seems so contented and romantic. But, at the end of the parallel argument scene he has the same, glum or pessimistic look that would have been more associated with Ennis's mood at the end of the first summer. I guess this is just a signal of foreboding... but man!
So sad!
:'(
Isn't it amazing how consistent and ever-present all these symbols are -- water, wind (and fans), buckets, coffee pots, cold/snow, etc. -- throughout the whole movie? I love how in Ennis' trailer at the end you see the coffee pot and the big fan.
This is a very good point I think. In both the flashback and the present, Ennis doesn't look back (obviously in the present because he's in the truck, and in the flashback he just concentrates on looking ahead. Interesting that in both of these instances we presume that Ennis is anticipating a future with Jack (we assume he leaves the argument thinking that November actually will happen...). This reminds me of the end of their summer on Brokeback. Katherine, I know we've chatted a bit about the lasso, "confusing tussle" situations and Jack's upbeat tone through much of this. It's been discussed that Ennis is all upset at the end of the Brokeback summer because he feels that it's the end of his time with Jack (so his mood is grumpy, pessimistic and angry). Whereas at the end of that first summer Jack doesn't seem to perceive that it signals the end of their relationship at all. It's interesting that at the end of the flashback there's that famous look from Jack that seems so contented and romantic. But, at the end of the parallel argument scene he has the same, glum or pessimistic look that would have been more associated with Ennis's mood at the end of the first summer. I guess this is just a signal of foreboding... but man!
So sad!
:'(
Ang Lee himself has commented that the water imagery is a direct metaphor for the love between the men. Cannot think where I heard him say it, but he did.
I love the way water is used to symbolize their relationship (and how scenes with Ennis and Alma often involve tap -- artificial -- water), and how sad it is when it gets stiller and stiller as the movie goes on, until in the end they're at a lake.
What's the coffee pot metaphor?
It also serves to explain why the sad flashback to Ennis's childhood appears to take place in the most arid and desert-like landscape of the entire movie, a contrast to the rushing waters of Brokeback Mountain and all that they symbolize.
The last time I saw the bucket, my heart sank. Jack and Ennis were camping beside a stream and for the last time Jack suggested that Ennis leave Riverton and come and live near him in Texas. Ennis responds angrily and while he is berating Jack, a bucket starts to float down the stream. Silently I cried out, Ennis, your life and all your chances for happiness are floating away! But Ennis just kept grousing about how Jack was a big thinker (dreamer). Jack F**king Twist.
Another example... The fact that Jack's Dad uses Jack's catch phrase, "tell you what..." also seems important as an indication of family ties and habits and as a sad reminder to Ennis of Jack.
So, here's the one that I just noticed last night and I have no idea what to make of this (it's OT as it doesn't seem to have much to do with wind or water). When Aguirre comes to tell Jack about his uncle in the hospital as Jack's chopping wood, Aguirre says "your Ma sent me to tell you so here I am." When Jack comes to Wyoming for the surprise visit to Ennis in the post-divorce scene he uses the exact same phrase... "I got you card about the divorce... so here I am." He even says that phrase in a very similar way to how Aguirre said it. Why would this phrase be repeated in these two contexts? The scenes seem to have little to do with one another. Any thoughts?
... OK, here's one. It's not hugely original, because we've talked about it before. But anyway: "What's your name?" "Ennis ... Del Mar." (And I love, in the Cassie scene, that odd little half-smile Ennis gives after saying that.) Oh, and another example of this line is the cute funny way (despite the sad context) he signs his last postcard with his whole name. Like if he just said "Ennis," Jack might be left wondering which Ennis it could be.
It also serves to explain why the sad flashback to Ennis's childhood appears to take place in the most arid and desert-like landscape of the entire movie, a contrast to the rushing waters of Brokeback Mountain and all that they symbolize.Oh, wow, good catch, Mikaela. That's the scene that I think was filmed in New Mexico (the vegetation and rocks look like northern NM, at least), and every now and then I've wondered why they trekked all the way down to New Mexico to film that scene. I mean, it seems as if they managed to find places to stand in for everything else, even Texas, in Alberta. I haven't been through Ennis's hometown, but at that elevation and in that part of Wyoming, the vegetation should be a bit different, still sagebrush but not so desert-like.
But anyway: "What's your name?" "Ennis ... Del Mar." (And I love, in the Cassie scene, that odd little half-smile Ennis gives after saying that.)And that sets up a sad parallel with Jack's encounter with Randall, when Randall talks about getting together to go fishing and everything. Other people are trying to pick up both Ennis and Jack, but the experiences just remind both men of each other.
So that led to a discussion of coffee pots, with people noticing that the coffee pot seems to represent Jack, while the bucket represents Ennis. Ennis is washing out a coffee pot in that early scene when he's standing in the river and worriedly watches Jack ride up the mountain. The morning after TS1, he opens the tent flap and the first objects in view are a coffee pot and bucket (now uprighted). In the dozy embrace scene, the coffee pot and bucket are standing cozily side-by-side on the grill. Jack's mom serves Ennis coffee. In Ennis' trailer, there's a coffee pot on the stove, and he serves Alma Jr. coffee. There are probably others I'm not remembering.
Jack as the coffee pot, makes Ennis's "only traveling I ever done, was around the coffee pot looking for the handle" kinda sexy metaphor.
That's for sure!
fantastic thread! the coffeepot and bucket theme are new to me.
As for the repeat lines: the 'what are you doing?' Ennis said to both Jack and Cassie always struck me as very poignant. At both stages in his life, Ennis reacts surprised (Cassie) or shocked (Jack) that anyone would want to touch him or be physically close to him.
Other people are trying to pick up both Ennis and Jack, but the experiences just remind both men of each other.
You know, I like the additions of the Cassie and Randall stories to the movie. They show just how intense the bond between Ennis and Jack was -- even after so many years of being surrounded by other people, it's clear that none of the other options is a satisfying substitute.
As for other repeated lines: Ennis calls Jack "Jack fucking Twist" at the reunion and the 2nd to last camping trip. (And in the lake confrontation? I can't remember.) Jack calls Ennis "son of a bitch" at the reunion, and "son of a whore-son bitch" in the lake confrontation. Terms of affection turned painful. :(
Heya,
Back to the wind topic and Jack's symbols more generally... I just posted this over in the "I love everything Brokeback" thread last night. And it occurs to me that it would be worthwhile to post it here too.
A discussion came up about the two notes that seem to echo each other at the very beginning of the BBM score as the movie starts. So, this was my reply:
I always hear those two notes as echos... meant to foreshadow the Jack/ Ennis relationship. It's interesting that Ennis enters the picture in a literal way (we see him coming) but Jack enters the situation symbolically before we see him. The echo in ths score, the wind that's really prominent before he arrives, and the little symbol of the rodeo cowboy on the semi-truck's license plate all seem to be clues that Jack is arriving too. I love that license plate by the way. It's how he leaves the film too... he dies but his symbols persist for several important scenes after he's no longer around as a person.
So, here's what I find really interesting about this. It seems to me that Jack is not only a real person/character but, in the form of the symbols that surround him, Jack is the abstract idea of Ennis's sexuality or desire. So before he even meets Jack all of these emotions and ideas and desires are swirling around in Ennis's head but he doesn't quite know what they mean. The wind at the beginning hasn't yet taken on it's full significance, but it does represent something that's already inside Ennis. Symbols like the wind are still abstract and unfocused at this point. Once Jack appears on the scene all of these things inside Ennis that add up to his "awakening" sexuality start to focus on Jack. So that by the time the movie is over and Jack is gone, all of the symbols, like the wind, etc. have taken on huge amounts of meaning and are completely linked to Jack.
I don't know why I keep obsessing about topics like this one. I guess I like to think about these details I guess because they make almost every little aspect of the movie come alive.
Please, let's never stop obsessing!
It's interesting that Ennis enters the picture in a literal way (we see him coming) but Jack enters the situation symbolically before we see him. The echo in ths score, the wind that's really prominent before he arrives, and the little symbol of the rodeo cowboy on the semi-truck's license plate all seem to be clues that Jack is arriving too. I love that license plate by the way.
It's interesting that Ennis enters the picture in a literal way (we see him coming) but Jack enters the situation symbolically before we see him. The echo in ths score, the wind that's really prominent before he arrives, and the little symbol of the rodeo cowboy on the semi-truck's license plate all seem to be clues that Jack is arriving too. I love that license plate by the way.
Oh, wow, it had never occurred to me that the cowboy on the Wyoming license plate could be symbolically linked to Jack. (That cowboy has been on Wyoming license plates forever -- it's one of the few license plate symbols that stayed constant when the trend toward multi-colored plates started in... the late 80's? the 90's?)
I love the idea that the guitar in the score symbolizes Ennis, and the other instrument symbolizes Jack. (What's the other instrument? It sounds like a dobro or something, but I think I'm wrong about that.) Someday I'm going to be able to distance myself enough from the characters to really listen to the score (and watch the cinematography). I keep meaning to really listen, or really look at little details, and then I get drawn into the characters and I forget what I meant to be listening for.
Poor Ennis. He'll keep seeing that cowboy on license plates until he dies. :'( I mean, I guess it's great that Jack is everywhere still, but it's sad at the same time, if that makes sense.
Mulling over the discussion so far in this thread...... I love the insights here!
It struck me that there might be some sort of "air and wind" connection and difference inherent in the Jack/Lureen relationship. Jack is connected with wind, and Lureen...... well, the very first time we meet her, as she's being introduced in the barrel racing competition, the speaker says: Look at her fly! He could logically have continued: "...... like the wind!" and it would have made perfect sense. That's certainly what he's implying.
The reason for Lureen's developing hairstyles has been discussed a lot, I know. Maybe this is *way* too far-fetched, even symbolically, but nevertheless: As her hair gets more elaborate and "starched" in every scene it looks more and more like a strictly indoor "do" - something that requires her to keep herself away from wind and open air and the elements in order to preserve the facade. It's as if she's communicating a hurt "right back at ya" that way: "If the wind doesn't want anything to do with me, well - I don't need or want the wind in any case! So there!"
You know it strikes me - I wonder what Diana/Larry/Ang/Annie would think of all these discussions if they knew about them. Somehow I believe that few, if any, of these observations would draw a "I never thought of that" response out of any of them. (I do think they might be a bit concerned at how obsessed/obsessive we all are, though. ;))
I am reading the 2003 screenplay and several concepts are introduced there that are either developed more fully in the final or dropped completely, and these tend to confirm that many of the allusions we've seen are true.
It confirmed for me that Ennis, Jack, Alma and Lureen are Earth, Wind, Water and Fire respectively.
Hunh? I always thought water was Ennis' and Jack's relationship. Or maybe that's bodies of water? Or outdoor water?
Perhaps the distinction is in civilization water vs. outdoor water?
Sometimes I wonder if they actually have been here. I know they're busy, but if it were me I'd have a hard time resisting a peek or two.
Mulling over the discussion so far in this thread...... I love the insights here!
It struck me that there might be some sort of "air and wind" connection and difference inherent in the Jack/Lureen relationship. Jack is connected with wind, and Lureen...... well, the very first time we meet her, as she's being introduced in the barrel racing competition, the speaker says: Look at her fly! He could logically have continued: "...... like the wind!" and it would have made perfect sense. That's certainly what he's implying.
The reason for Lureen's developing hairstyles has been discussed a lot, I know. Maybe this is *way* too far-fetched, even symbolically, but nevertheless: As her hair gets more elaborate and "starched" in every scene it looks more and more like a strictly indoor "do" - something that requires her to keep herself away from wind and open air and the elements in order to preserve the facade. It's as if she's communicating a hurt "right back at ya" that way: "If the wind doesn't want anything to do with me, well - I don't need or want the wind in any case! So there!"
reading the characters with their elemental association is definitely not a stretch. Michelle Williams definitely talked about evoking the quality of water in her performance, when she did a Q&A at the Pacific Design Center in LA. It confirmed for me that Ennis, Jack, Alma and Lureen are Earth, Wind, Water and Fire respectively.
Sometimes I feel really sorry for Lureen. She was smart, she was aggressive... and she went for the wrong guy.
I've noticed Alma is often associated with indoor water, while Jack, or Jack and Ennis, are always around outdoor water. The distinction is particularly apparent in the two shirt-washing scenes.
Last time I saw the movie on the big screen, it seemed to me that Jack had the car window open, rolled all the way down when he's driving north to the post-divorce scene. Hence the clear view out the window; - he does at any rate have that window all the way down as his car comes into view at Ennis's place. Then, as he drives back, it seems he's rolled the window up - that would be a realistic sort of reason for the blurry view and the "seen through tears" visual impact.
But it's hard to tell for sure - especially with the way he supports his elbow against (or on) the window sill in both scenes.
Anyway, the use of open window/closed window in those scenes would fit perfectly and poignantly with the wind symbolism that has been discussed in this thread and also with the later scene where Ennis opens jack's window to let the air in.
oh man! the details of opened/closed windows is yet another thing to look for and analyze. I think you are on to something with this.
Lat, another window moment I love is when Ennis comes in the house while Alma is washing clothes in the sink and washes his hands, he takes a moment to look out the window. I think he is looking at the sky, and certainly know what he is thinking about!!
I was thinking about the runny nose scene, but he also looks out the window that other time, I think both he and Alma look out the window together. It's like a little ritual, wash hands, glance out window, dry hands on butt.
I was thinking about the runny nose scene, but he also looks out the window that other time, I think both he and Alma look out the window together. It's like a little ritual, wash hands, glance out window, dry hands on butt.
... head off to the back of the house to wring it out.
Oooh, good one, F-R! Is that the scene with the runny-nosed girls, or the one where Alma says "Ennis, do you know someone named Jack?"
And speaking of that postcard scene -- this may not be the thread for it, but what the hell -- I'm always amazed at how well Ennis keeps his composure when Alma says that. Just calmly finishes washing his hands, finally says "Maybe ... why?" Is he afraid to reveal anything untoward? Afraid to get his hopes up? At the very least, I think it's interesting that when telling Alma about his summer on Brokeback he obviously not only didn't give details but never even mentioned the name of the guy he worked with. What are your thoughts?
Jack plays "He Was a Friend of Mine" a couple of times -- foreshadowing his own death
I think Ennis' comment about the harmonica breaking in two is symbolic of Jack's death and the fact that he was broken in two... half of his ashes in Texas and half of them in Lightning Flat.
I think the harmonica continues the Jack as Wind metaphor. It's a wind instrument that only plays when someone blows wind into itYes, the harmonica fits good. The harmonica's tones are sometimes similar to the wind. It soughs (howls?) like the wind.
I come upon a thread here about the harmonica and I posted a response. atz75 responded to my post by telling me about this thread and suggested that I re-post my comment over here... so here I am...
I think the harmonica continues the Jack as Wind metaphor. It's a wind instrument that only plays when someone blows wind into it. Jack plays "He Was a Friend of Mine" a couple of times -- foreshadowing his own death.
I think Ennis' comment about the harmonica breaking in two is symbolic of Jack's death and the fact that he was broken in two... half of his ashes in Texas and half of them in Lightning Flat.
I'm new here so if this has been mentioned before...
Heya ruthlesslyunsentimental !
Thanks for joining in here! I think your observations are excellent. And, it truly isn't an aspect of the wind metaphor that I'd thought about before.
The broken part of the harmonica situation is interesting too. It seems complicated because Jack says it got flattened (it doesn't actually break in two) and yet even though it's crushed, it still works and Jack is able to continue playing on it (even if it's not perfectly in tune anymore). Ennis's ominous idea of the harmonica breaking in two definitely seems like foreshadowing about Jack's tragedy. I like your idea about the divided ashes too. But, I wonder if the idea of the flattened-yet-resilient harmonica is another kind of metaphor about Jack's ability to rebound and keep going through the course of the relationship even after disappointments and obstacles? Even when the harmonica doesn't work correctly anymore Jack is so "loyal" to it, loves it and wants to play it, that he's not willing to give up on it. I wonder if this is a metaphor for his feelings towards Ennis too.
All sorts of interesting avenues here. And I do love that it all links back to the wind idea.
:D
I wonder if Ennis's humming relates to Jack's harmonica-playing/ singing?
Another wind thing...In the corner of Ennis's apartment is an interesting assortment of items: a vacuum cleaner (wind), a hot water heater (water), and an :'( iron on an ironing board. Doom for Jack!!
And speaking of that postcard scene -- this may not be the thread for it, but what the hell -- I'm always amazed at how well Ennis keeps his composure when Alma says that. Just calmly finishes washing his hands, finally says "Maybe ... why?" Is he afraid to reveal anything untoward? Afraid to get his hopes up? At the very least, I think it's interesting that when telling Alma about his summer on Brokeback he obviously not only didn't give details but never even mentioned the name of the guy he worked with. What are your thoughts?
So, why is Ennis able to kill a coyote and not Jack?
For one thing, I think it's because Ennis is supposed to be the more skilled cowboy. For another, it may symbolize whose decisions prevail in their relationship. Jack misses the coyote, gets thrown by his horse, never gets Ennis to settle down with him.
When Jack gets thrown he never mentions it until days(?) later and then only says his harmonica got flattened, nothing about any hurt to himself.
Years later, Ennis tells Jenny that he only stayed on that saddle bronc for three seconds, while Jack had ridden bulls (an even more demanding and dangerous event), and, regardless of what those two customers said, he had done more than tried to ride them.
Clearly, though, Ennis is a better shot than Jack. Symbolically, what could that imply? Maybe one interpretation, least as far the coyotes are concerned, could tie back to the sign on Aguirre's trailer that trespassers will be shot, and survivors will be shot again.
Heya Lee,
Well I wonder if the nautical associations (which I do agree seem to come up around Jack a lot) may have to do with his connection to Ennis. I seem to remember some old discussion somewhere about the anchor on Jack's wall maybe being a reference to Del Mar (the sea and all the references to water and islands that Ennis's name evokes). And Ennis is uniquely qualified to know all about how Jack smells.
:o :)
I always wondered about that anchor, but never drew a connection to 'Del Mar'. So thanks for pointing it out.
What pops into my mind, thinking of Jack and nautical associations, is Jack's driving to Wyoming and back. Back and forth like the tides.
Jack will always be with Ennis.
I wonder too if the wind functions as both a happy thing (a reminder of Jack's presence) and a sad thing (a constant reminder of Ennis's regret).
The story has a line that establishes this view of the wind as both happy and sad while they are still up on Brokeback - "There were only the two of them on the mountain flying in the euphoric, bitter air.."
I'm so glad this thread is being featured now. Do you realize that Amanda's first post was on May 1, 2006? I would like to hereby petition our high priestess to proclaim May 1 "Jack and the Wind Day."
The wind figures in an indirect way in the Dozy Embrace, too: "Stars bit through the wavy heat layers above the fire." That master storyteller Annie Proulx manages to portend Jack's violent death, his associateion with the heavens, his passionate relationship with the fiery Ennis, and the vibrations/waves/wind connection, all in 10 perfect words!!
I better stop now...I am starting to hyperventilate!!
(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h269/merylmarie/windy_5.png)What a great picture of smilin Jack!(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h269/merylmarie/BBMLinesVisualized/BrokieBrunch/Brokeback/Jacksmile.jpg)
In Honor of the Classic "Jack and the Wind" Thread
Started by atz75 one year ago
May 1, 2007
Shall Be Designated
JACK AND THE WIND DAY
YEEHAW
Great idea for May 1st
(http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l173/nltoast/DozyEnd.jpg)
The Wind Rivers were a series of mountain ranges, part of the Rocky Mountains, (http://athena.divshare.com/files/2007/03/22/269161/WIndriver.jpg)
(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h269/merylmarie/windy_5.png)(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h269/merylmarie/BBMLinesVisualized/BrokieBrunch/Brokeback/Jacksmile.jpg)
In Honor of the Classic "Jack and the Wind" Thread
Started by atz75 one year ago
May 1, 2007
Shall Be Designated
JACK AND THE WIND DAY
YEEHAW
Great idea for May 1st
Interesting Lee that his music is produced by his breath through the harmonica.
Also interesting that his death (according to Lureen - and Annie Proulx did call it an accident in the novella) was caused by the tire essentially knocking the wind out of him and causing him to drown in his own blood while looking up.
I'll wear something blue around my neck tomorrow on Jack and the Wind Day.
Hey Toast, Bud!! I like your suggestion. I'll make a point of wearing blue and black tomorrow. :)Oh drat! I'm wearing blue and black today! I guess this is one of those rare times I'm fashionably early. ;D
Anyway, who's wearing blue & black?Hey, I just realized that, without having put any thought into it, I am wearing blue and gray today! Is that close enough? ;)
the breeze brushed through the pine trees gently and brought me their vanilla smell
Was it a sweet salty stink?
Having only just signed on I've only just read this thread but here I am, quite accidentally wearing blue and black and having been thinking about Jack and the wind ever since it started blowing a gale a day or two back. I woke this morning to rain and twigs and stuff hitting the roof with some force, and a whole new way of looking at the last camping trip spewing forth from my brain so I had to jump up and write it out. I felt that listening to the wind all night had inspired me. I could just be nuts, of course.
As well as Jack's bruise from where Ennis hit him.Thats what It made me think of too! :(
Will someone please tell Jack's Wind that its special day is over???Hee Hee!
:P
He wished he knew how to quit us, but I'm so glad he never learned how!!Friend, you and me both! :)
"You know where those winds come from? Well, this country up here is so close to paradise you can feel the breezes from heaven. That wind comes from the angels' wings. When they flap their wings the wind comes right down this valley."
This quote brings together Jack and the wind and the picture of Jack as the ministering angel :D. How fitting it is for BBM.
"You know where those winds come from? Well, this country up here is so close to paradise you can feel the breezes from heaven. That wind comes from the angels' wings. When they flap their wings the wind comes right down this valley."
This quote brings together Jack and the wind and the picture of Jack as the ministering angel :D. How fitting it is for BBM.
And how fitting as a caption for one of my favorite photo manips! 8)
(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h269/merylmarie/Wings.jpg)
That is so COOL!
The only thing missing is his cowboy hat! ;D
He didn't have his cowboy hat when he was in the stream, beating on the shirt with a stick. And he didn't have his hat when Ennis knocked it off right before the reunion kiss. So, Jack without his cowboy hat is s'alright with me.Well, I ain't complainin mind ya! ;D
He didn't have his cowboy hat when he was in the stream, beating on the shirt with a stick. And he didn't have his hat when Ennis knocked it off right before the reunion kiss. So, Jack without his cowboy hat is s'alright with me.Obviously, he also couldn't have had it on when he was born, and probably didn't have it on when he died. Jack Twist was a role that not only Jake Gyllenhaal played, but also Jack Twist himself. When we return to the ineffable after our earthly demise, our roles come off of us just like discarded costumes.
I posted a large picture of the Wind River Range here:
http://bettermost.net/forum/index.php/topic,3088.msg200257.html#msg200257 (http://bettermost.net/forum/index.php/topic,3088.msg200257.html#msg200257)
and I also posted an article today about Ang Lee's travels thru the Wind River Canyon while researching the story:
http://bettermost.net/forum/index.php/topic,12399.msg235071.html#msg235071 (http://bettermost.net/forum/index.php/topic,12399.msg235071.html#msg235071)
Coincidence? Maybe. Or maybe we are all just craving a puff of wind during the dog days of summer!
Great observations Amanda.
I knew exactly what you were talking about when I read that!
I just love the wind as a metaphor (I hope thats the right word) for Jack.
It's so fitting.
Thanks Friend! The wind is my all-time favorite metaphor in BBM (in both the film and the story... and I'm just so glad that the filmmatkers really picked up on the wind idea from the story). Absolutely gorgeous idea and symbol... and the ways that this symbol funcitons are just so numerous and profound.I know, they did a fantastic job.
It's so funny, Everytime it gets windy I think of Jack.
Once here recently I was chasing a recipt that had blown out of my car across the parking lot.
everytime I just about got my dern hands on it the wind would blow it about a foot ahead.
Finally I said "Very funny Jack, now can I getthat recipt?" I walked right over and picked it up wthout another gust of wind to blow it away. I can just imagine Jack sayin "Aww heck, I was just funnin ya! " :laugh: :laugh:
It's so funny, Everytime it gets windy I think of Jack.
Once here recently I was chasing a recipt that had blown out of my car across the parking lot.
everytime I just about got my dern hands on it the wind would blow it about a foot ahead.
Finally I said "Very funny Jack, now can I getthat recipt?" I walked right over and picked it up wthout another gust of wind to blow it away. I can just imagine Jack sayin "Aww heck, I was just funnin ya! " :laugh: :laugh:
I love how almost three years into it our boys are still never too far from our minds in our everyday lives.
I love how almost three years into it our boys are still never too far from our minds in our everyday lives.It's only been a year and ahalf for me. However I will hold them close the rest of my life.
Thanks for bumping this. I had never read thru it before. I enjoyed the idea's posted, many of which are new to me. Jack and the wind is one of my favorite motif's.
I love this thread too, friends. I love that Aguirre thought Jack could control the weather and cure pneumonia. I love that Jack played harmonica and pumped up a tire. All those things he knew could get him killed and did get him killed, but he did them and we celebrate that he lived and loved in windy Wyoming.:'(
Don't grieve that it came to an end, friend. Rejoice that it happened at all!!
:-*
And one could say the same thing of the Christmas story...
I love this thread too, friends. I love that Aguirre thought Jack could control the weather and cure pneumonia. I love that Jack played harmonica and pumped up a tire. All those things he knew could get him killed and did get him killed, but he did them and we celebrate that he lived and loved in windy Wyoming.
This probably belongs on another thread, but controlling the weather and curing pneumonia would be miracles. That and the association of Jack with the wind/Pentecost; the spirit of the Lord coming upon his disciples like a wind. Supports the idea of Jack as a Christ figure (IMO). The only miracle Jack could perform was his love for Ennis. Perhaps at the end of the lake scene Jack performed his final miracle; he let Ennis go for Ennis's sake. Jack gave up on his dream of a sweet life with Ennis to set Ennis free from his anguish. Self-Sacrifice, Jack's greatest miracle.
This probably belongs on another thread, but controlling the weather and curing pneumonia would be miracles. That and the association of Jack with the wind/Pentecost; the spirit of the Lord coming upon his disciples like a wind. Supports the idea of Jack as a Christ figure (IMO). The only miracle Jack could perform was his love for Ennis. Perhaps at the end of the lake scene Jack performed his final miracle; he let Ennis go for Ennis's sake. Jack gave up on his dream of a sweet life with Ennis to set Ennis free from his anguish. Self-Sacrifice, Jack's greatest miracle.Friend,I think you are so right!!
That is a beautiful thought, though sad, like most beautiful things are.Amen!! Wonder why beauty and pain are so intertwined?
Amen!! Wonder why beauty and pain are so intertwined?
Because beautiful things always seem to be fleeting and impermanent. This is the premise of the first novel ever written, The Tale of Genji, by Lady Murasaki. Genji was a Jack, always pursuing truth, happiness, and beauty, and always disappointed and eluded.
I thought of this concept again when viewing The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
So, I'm here because some thing that I was reading in a fanfic story recently actually caused me to think about this thread and the wind theme again. It's a scenario where Ennis is talking about Jack's "gift" for language, conversation and talk while he regrets that he isn't more skillful with verbal language himself. Often Jack's talkative-ness is seen as a point of humor, but I thought it was interesting to think of it in a more somber and positive way.
And, it makes me wonder if, much like Jack's affinity for wind instruments (harmonica)... talking is an extension of the wind motif (since talking involved pushing air in and out of the lungs). And, I wonder if Ennis's silence is an extension of his "earth" motif. In some ways he almost seems to have an inability to express himself verbally (as in the motel scene... in the film at least... where he responds to Jack through only touches to some of Jack's question), which to me might go along with the fundamental silence of the earth/ ground/ soil, etc.
I don't know if this has been brought up before here or not... but I thought it was interesting to ponder.