BetterMost, Wyoming & Brokeback Mountain Forum
Our BetterMost Community => Chez Tremblay => Topic started by: vkm91941 on April 16, 2006, 06:02:01 pm
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Stole this topic from my buddie Banner Hill (Jason Clark to the Aero Crew) on TOB...so whaddy'al think?
I'm not sure what the consensus here is about Alma Jr's bluebird earrings. Some people think that they have no symbolism. Some people think there is a much deeper meaning.
The logic goes like this:
Lureen says Jack always talked about Brokeback Mountain and she thought of it being a place "where there's a whiskey springs and bluebirds sing", her intrepretation? In the scene where Alma Jr asks Ennnis if she might be able to stay with him, she is wearing prominant bluebird earrings. Is this by chance? Is anything in this movie ever really left to chance? Or is Ang Lee the master of sympoblism we all think he is?
Symbolicly, it is possible that Alma Jr wearing those earrings might suggest that a bit of the love that Ennis held so sacred might be able to be found in his relationship with his daughter.
What do you think? Are the bluebird earrings coincidental or not?
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Not coincidence. I can't remember what, but I think there might be one more bluebird ref in the film (beside Ennis saying it while hunkering by the river washing the pan).
I wish Banner Hill could be lured over here.
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Can anyone get a close up screen cap of her earrings?
Everyone says they're birds with blue stones so they're 'blue birds' but for all we know they're eagles - which would be more logical to be set in turquoise in Wyoming (I bought most of my turquoise jewelry in Wyoming. Saw a lot of thunderbirds and eagles, no bluebirds).
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Not coincidence. I can't remember what, but I think there might be one more bluebird ref in the film (beside Ennis saying it while hunkering by the river washing the pan).
I wish Banner Hill could be lured over here.
I've sure tried, even talked to him on the telephone yesterday morning. He's really frustrated with the troll situation maybe if that doesn't get any better he'll come.
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Is this pic ok?
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Can anyone tell? They look like eagles to me (which are birds, so I guess that'd still work).
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Can anyone tell? They look like eagles to me (which are birds, so I guess that'd still work).
Thanks for that DeeDee they look like doves to me, like the one that is the symbol of the Pentecost with the waver in his mouth...but I have no problem with them as bluebirds....
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I think it's probable the bluebird earrings are a way of suggesting Alma, Jr.'s similarities to Jack as an influence in Ennis's life.
Next to Jack, she is the person Ennis cares most about and has the idealism of youth. Like Jack, she loves Ennis unconditionally and seems to understand him better than others. She tries to come live with Ennis but doesn't press the issue when he refuses. In the final scene, she receives the sacrifice that Ennis would have gladly made for Jack at that point if it were not now too late.
Ang Lee and the writers make the parallel even stronger by bookending the first and last scenes in the movie. In each, Ennis is alone outside a trailer when Jack/Junior drives up. They are the same age in their respective scenes, too.
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I think it's probable the bluebird earrings are a way of suggesting Alma, Jr.'s similarities to Jack as an influence in Ennis's life.
Next to Jack, she is the person Ennis cares most about and has the idealism of youth. Like Jack, she loves Ennis unconditionally and seems to understand him better than others. She tries to come live with Ennis but doesn't press the issue when he refuses. In the final scene, she receives the sacrifice that Ennis would have gladly made for Jack at that point if it were not now too late.
Ang Lee and the writers make the parallel even stronger by bookending the first and last scenes in the movie. In each, Ennis is alone outside a trailer when Jack/Junior drives up. They are the same age in their respective scenes, too.
I'm picking my jaw up off the floor at yet another detail like this being pointed out to me, four months after first seeing the movie, and after thinking there might be nothing more to point out. Thank you Meryl. That kind of echo in the details--the setting, the circumstances of him being alone and approached by each of them in their respective vehicles, and their ages, it's just too much. I love it.
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God Meryl!! What an amazing observation!!! Just when you think you've exhausted every little detail and nuance.... :o
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Meryl,
Thank you for finding and describing the numerous parallels so beautifully.
The last time I saw the film in the theater, it struck me so hard when Jr.'s face absolutely glows with happiness when Ennis says he'll be at her wedding. I couldn't help but think that Jack's face would have been alight with joy, just like that and more, if Ennis had ever said yes to a life with him.
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I think it's probable the bluebird earrings are a way of suggesting Alma, Jr.'s similarities to Jack as an influence in Ennis's life.
Next to Jack, she is the person Ennis cares most about and has the idealism of youth. Like Jack, she loves Ennis unconditionally and seems to understand him better than others. She tries to come live with Ennis but doesn't press the issue when he refuses. In the final scene, she receives the sacrifice that Ennis would have gladly made for Jack at that point if it were not now too late.
Ang Lee and the writers make the parallel even stronger by bookending the first and last scenes in the movie. In each, Ennis is alone outside a trailer when Jack/Junior drives up. They are the same age in their respective scenes, too.
There ya go! I knew someone would find the nugget in there that Ang Lee left for us to find! Well done Meryl and thanks for the insight.
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Shucks, guys, thanks! :-*
It comes from hanging out on Casey Cornelius threads. You start seeing things you never thought were there. ;)
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Meryl, I'm with everyone else on this. It's been a right many days since some new major symbolism/symmetry got pointed out to me. Thanks Girlfriend.
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Thanks, Elle! :-*