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Report of Brokeback Mountain Symbols (Spoilers) -- by flashframe777
TOoP/Bruce:
Report of Brokeback Mountain Symbols (Spoilers)
by - jshane2002 (Fri May 19 2006 23:30:08 )
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by - flashframe777 (Fri Dec 23 2005 23:49:33 )
This thread is about the use of symbology used in Brokeback Mountain.
Add what you know to the list:
1) The sheep--Adam's most favored animal in Eden.
2) The murdered sheep - the end of Ennis' innocence.
"You bet." --Ennis del Mar
by - delalluvia (Sat Dec 24 2005 00:04:31 )
UPDATED Sun Dec 25 2005 00:28:08
1) Sheep - society, as in 'following like sheep', Jack & Ennis ride the herd, outside of it, not a part of it.
2) dead sheep - gutted, hollowed out - sheep's clothing, hiding something that isn't what it seems
3) Brokeback - the last straw, what burdens
4) colors - blue, red, black and lack of color and what they represent
5) names - Twist - cowboy lingo; also not straight, a surprise; Ennis Del Mar - island of the sea; Signal - warning or sign; Riverton - moving slowly, winding past, flow, Lightning Flat - as in struck by lightning
6) coyotes - tricksters gods, teaching lessons by tricking - not always a pleasant experience
7) flattened harmonica - not harmonic, discord
8) beans = staple/mundane, elk/wild game = speaks for itself
9) black/white hats - experienced/no experience, guileless/earthy
10) methodist/pentecost - methodists have a system, things are done right a certain way/The Pentecost refers to the day wherin the descent of the Holy Spirit —a transformative and profound experience
All I can think of right now.
by - flashframe777 (Sat Dec 24 2005 00:07:41 )
Wow...you're good D. I got to mull some of it over.
"You bet." --Ennis del Mar
by - delalluvia (Sat Dec 24 2005 07:47:50 )
Interesting thread. bump
by - tommynewyear-1 (Sat Dec 24 2005 10:05:22 )
DAMN - you've been doing your homework, delalluvia!
by - emergency_notfall (Sat Dec 24 2005 07:51:54 )
Very funny.
No, what does "Ennis" really mean? Is it just a common male name or does it have a special meaning?
Thinking of it, "Jack" does have a strange double meaning, doesn't it?
by - delalluvia (Sat Dec 24 2005 07:56:16 )
Good question emergency.
As it's been pointed out and in my post above Ennis is Innis translates to 'island'.
Jack is a slang version for John. Jack's father was John. Not sure if Jack was really named Jack or was called that to differentiate him from his father.
When I think of the name 'John' John the Baptist comes to mind.
by - emergency_notfall (Sat Dec 24 2005 08:17:37 )
Oh, I thought Del Mar referred to an island.
TOoP/Bruce:
by - delalluvia (Sat Dec 24 2005 08:20:46 )
Ennis/Innis = island
del mar = of the sea
by - emergency_notfall (Sat Dec 24 2005 08:51:20 )
Aah, I get it! Thank you!
by - 3of19 (Tue Dec 27 2005 05:39:43 )
Someone mentioned on the board that the name Jack has roots in ancient Hebrew and originally means "grace", as in a gift from God.
Which is very fitting, Jack is a gift for Ennis.
by - Shuggy (Sun Dec 25 2005 00:56:29 )
8) beans = staple/mundane
In the story, the spoon handles sticking out of the bean cans are like tyre levers.
"If you can't stand it, you gotta fix it."
by - bbinsider (Sun Dec 25 2005 10:23:29 )
what about the 4th of July fireworks scene? For some reason that one resonates with me. I'm overwhelemed by the picture perfect patriotism (gag!) that ends in such anger and violence....just as the fireworks explode over the crowd. It is such an angry, mean intolerant scene. Much like what gays and lesbians have to endure day in and day out....
by - BannerHill (Mon Dec 26 2005 22:22:13 )
Here are a couple of things I noticed this viewing
1 Has anyone noticed the sign nailed to the outside of Agguirre's office door? It says: "intruders will be shot". Underneath that line the sign continues; "Survivors will be shot again" Pretty cold. I didnt notice it the first time and its hard to make it out because Jack is walking down the steps and blocking it. Classic Western mentality, and dark foreshadowing.
2 What a great scene when Agguirre roars up in his car and startles Ennis Del Mar. It establishes who is an insider and who is an outsider.
A bizzare thing happened in line to see BBM here in Santa Monica. Graham Becker, the actor who plays Jack's father in Law, was in line right behind me. He was by himself and asked me what movie I was in line for.I froze and didn't know what to say to him. I think he was actually in line to see Cassanova. Wierd but true!
TOoP/Bruce:
by - Shuggy (Sun Jan 1 2006 19:48:04 )
1) Sheep - society, as in 'following like sheep', Jack & Ennis ride the herd, outside of it, not a part of it.
2) dead sheep - gutted, hollowed out - sheep's clothing, hiding something that isn't what it seems
3) Brokeback - the last straw, what burdens
4) colors - blue, red, black and lack of color and what they represent
5) names - Twist - cowboy lingo; also not straight, a surprise; Ennis Del Mar - island of the sea; Signal - warning or sign; Riverton - moving slowly, winding past, flow, Lightning Flat - as in struck by lightning
6) coyotes - tricksters gods, teaching lessons by tricking - not always a pleasant experience
7) flattened harmonica - not harmonic, discord
8) beans = staple/mundane, elk/wild game = speaks for itself
9) black/white hats - experienced/no experience, guileless/earthy
10) methodist/pentecost - methodists have a system, things are done right a certain way/The Pentecost refers to the day wherin the descent of the Holy Spirit —a transformative and profound experience
11) Aguirre = wrath of God? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068182/combined
"If you can't stand it, you gotta fix it."
by - delalluvia (Sun Jan 1 2006 20:30:18 )
shuggy
11) Aguirre = wrath of God? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068182/combined
Very interesting.
After your post, I did some thinking and decided that neither Proulx nor Lee would use a movie reference as symbolism, but a more basic one even though yours kicks @ss.
So after looking around I found these two, the latter being the most significant:
Aguirre a Form of 'Aguilar' Basque 1590
Aguilar means Sharp-sighted Cordoba, Portugal, et al
by - Shuggy (Mon Jan 2 2006 13:01:11 )
Aguirre a Form of 'Aguilar' Basque 1590
Aguilar means Sharp-sighted Cordoba, Portugal, et al
That figures, it's derived from aquilla, an eagle. Joe Aguirre is literally eagle-eyed.
"If you can't stand it, you gotta fix it."
by - delalluvia (Mon Jan 2 2006 17:55:27 )
That figures, it's derived from aquilla, an eagle. Joe Aguirre is literally eagle-eyed.
D'oh! Thanks for reminding me of my Latin. I should've figured that one out.
by - Mary_Utah (Sat Dec 24 2005 10:33:44 )
I have read the story, not seen the movie (yet) but:
The shirts inside of each other - being under one's skin (Ennis was under Jack's skin. Later turned around, Jack was under Ennis' skin)
The shirts in the closet - sorta speaks for itself
"If you can't fix it, you got to stand it" ~ Ennis/Brokeback Mountain
TOoP/Bruce:
by - naun (Sat Dec 24 2005 11:43:15 )
What about this...First Jack is protecting Ennis with Ennis's shirt inside his. Then Ennis protects Jack with Jack's shirt inside Ennis's?
Yes, that's how I read it, too.
by - flashframe777 (Sat Dec 24 2005 22:40:51 )
Okay, this is a stretch, but the scene where Ennis wakes up surrounded by snow. Could life be any colder without Jack?
What did Ang mean with that scene?
Anyone, anyone, Bueller?
"You bet." --Ennis del Mar
by - delalluvia (Sat Dec 24 2005 22:51:51 )
UPDATED Sat Dec 24 2005 22:56:45
flash,
Okay, this is a stretch, but the scene where Ennis wakes up surrounded by snow. Could life be any colder without Jack?
Or foreshadowing of his life alone being cold. When he comes back down to the campsite to be with Jack, the ice has thawed. Together they warm each other.
The other symbol I'm still trying to reconcile is Jack always being cold. They always camp when it's cold. Jack hates the cold.
Ennis' lack of action/consideration for their relationship and love leave Jack cold.
In the washing clothes by the river scene, Jack is washing Ennis' shirt buck-naked.
He looks around, shivers.
by - flashframe777 (Sat Dec 24 2005 22:57:32 )
Del...it also called for quick decision-making. Ennis was bewildered at have to make snap decisions. Jack just did what was required at the moment, and Ennis needed time to work out his resistance.
"You bet." --Ennis del Mar
by - nalgene (Sat Dec 24 2005 23:02:04 )
Yeah, in the snowy scene, Ennis is absolutely bewildered by the situation (I think I would be too!), but he gets down to Jack and Jack's cleaning up camp, taking down the tent, kind of unfazed. I don't know, maybe obvious. But something about Ennis stumbling about in the snow, with that blanket around him...
by - vml-the-great (Sat Dec 24 2005 23:43:40 )
Bump. This is an interesting thread.
by - nalgene (Sat Dec 24 2005 23:54:52 )
A friend of mine pointed out (and this is so obvious I know, but I just love the way it comes out visually, in the film, when you think back on it) that whenever they are together (except obvious places like Ennis' apt, the hotel etc.) the surroundings are absolutely idyllic, the scenery lush, so much to look at, the air just LOOKS clearer, and fresher.
When they are alone, in their lives, everything is flat (no mountains, of course), and dry and brown and washed out. Think about when Ennis first pulls up to Jack's house. The house is so sad and washed out and THAT kitchen. The saddest room I've ever scene (outside of some in Ireland, honestly).
I just love that contrast.
And where do they have their first scene together? A parking lot? And the last scene...? Exactly.
TOoP/Bruce:
by - delalluvia (Sat Dec 24 2005 23:57:15 )
UPDATED Sat Dec 24 2005 23:57:50
nalgene,
that whenever they are together (except obvious places like Ennis' apt, the hotel etc.) the surroundings are absolutely idyllic, the scenery lush, so much to look at, the air just LOOKS clearer, and fresher.
When they are alone, in their lives, everything is flat (no mountains, of course), and dry and brown and washed out
Ooh, well said. The best impression I get of this as well is when they head for Brokeback after the motel scene. They drive off from the dinginess of Ennis' apartment and the music lifts and by the time the truck is curving in the road of a goregous mountain backdrop, you feel rejuvenated and free and happy.
Re: Brokeback Mountain Symbols Thread (spoilers)
by - flashframe777 (Sun Dec 25 2005 00:02:56 )
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Ah yes, Nalgene, I agree.
Another thing is whenever you have the scenes where the wind is blowing like Alma hanging clothes, or the wind kicking up dust, or the wind blows through the grass as the train passes -- it is a prelude to communication between Jack and Ennis. It's as if the wind is carrying the message in the air.
"You bet." --Ennis del Mar
)
by - nalgene (Sun Dec 25 2005 00:06:14 )
Ahhh, I love this thread. But I must go to bed. Merry Christmas to those who are so inclined... ;)
Re: Brokeback Mountain Symbols Thread (spoilers)
by - spottedreptile (Sun Dec 25 2005 00:28:09 )
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UPDATED Sun Dec 25 2005 00:31:08
I was musing on the intro scene where Ennis is outside Aguirre's office and the train goes past. You see Ennis' body flickering between the carriages, like a film advancing in front of the shutter.
Couldn't work it out, then it dawned on me, kinda.
Ennis 'shuttered,' captured, caught - as on film.
Maybe?
The wardrobe colours, also referred to more completely in another thread:
Ennis, brown, somber like the unchanging soil, deeply rooted.
Jack, blues, like the sky, always changing, restless.
by - flashframe777 (Sun Dec 25 2005 00:29:40 )
I like that SpotRep.
"You bet." --Ennis del Mar
by - delalluvia (Sun Dec 25 2005 00:30:28 )
I was musing on the intro scene where Ennis is outside Aguirre's office and the train goes past. You see Ennis' body flickering between the carriages, like a film advancing in front of the shutter.
Couldn't work it out, then it dawned on me, kinda.
Ennis 'shuttered.'
Maybe?
Dunno spotted. Someone else on another thread pointed out the very obvious train symbol; travel, change, unknown destinations, loneliness - as in the lonely cry of a train whistle at night.
by - spottedreptile (Sun Dec 25 2005 01:26:54 )
can't disagree with that either, delalluvia. However it seems to be a real contrast with what Ang does re Jack, so I wondered if there was a different meaning that Ang applied particularly to Ennis. Like he's a creature that's been trapped and can't get itself free, hence the expression 'caught on film.'
Also it's like a kinetoscope where the motion is jerky, like some frames are missing, so the subject is not seen as a complete entity. There's a lot we don't see, and with Ennis, that couldn't be more true.
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