Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Symbolism: Ennis and the mules
alec716:
Amanda -- I love your self-described "kooky sheep theory" and the predator metaphor. I had not thought much about this. thanks for giving me something new about which to obsess next time I watch the film... ;)
Brown Eyes:
Heya,
Thanks Alec. So, I just finished my nightly dose of the first half of BBM and started thinking that Jack's woolly collar on his coat is rather sheep-like too. Another interesting element of the sheep situation is, I think, that when Ennis discovers that dead sheep he realizes that he's now become a "sheep" too... and all of his fears (going back to the Earl memory, etc.) are really brought to life. On my first viewing of BBM I initially thought that the dead sheep was sort of an over-determined symbol of "loss of innocence/ virginity." I guess it's still that too, but I feel like there's a lot more to it than something so straight forward.
I'm afraid we've gone off the mule topic. It is interesting that Ennis is always the one responsible for dealing with the mules when they move camp, etc. When Jack and Ennis are moving about on the mountain (bringing the herd up initially, switching camps and bringing them down) Ennis always seems so much more burdened than Jack because of those mules. Jack is always out in front while Ennis comes along behind eventually. Cute.
:)
serious crayons:
--- Quote from: atz75 on June 20, 2006, 10:56:59 pm --- On my first viewing of BBM I initially thought that the dead sheep was sort of an over-determined symbol of "loss of innocence/ virginity." I guess it's still that too, but I feel like there's a lot more to it than something so straight forward.
--- End quote ---
That's exactly what I thought on MY first viewing. That is, I instantly knew the sheep meant something and, given the timing, assumed it was something about lost innocence. But you're right, I have come to believe that the dead sheep is much more a foreshadowing of murder. Given that, on first viewing, we didn't know about the other killings at that point in the movie, it makes sense we would react that way. And it's reinforced by the expression on Ennis' face, which looks like guilt -- he left the sheep alone, had sex with a man, and now look what happened. Though now I think his expression is more complicated than that.
But what I especially love about that symbol in retrospect is that it was a tipoff that there was more going on in the movie than meets the eye. That and Lureen's "husbands don't never want to dance with their wives" were just about the only nuances I picked up on that first time, but they at least opened my mind to the possibility that there were others.
If only I knew then that I'd eventually be analyzing the hidden meanings of fans and coffee pots and bears and snow ... and, oh yeah, mules!
Penthesilea:
--- Quote from: atz75 on June 20, 2006, 10:56:59 pm ---Heya,
Thanks Alec. So, I just finished my nightly dose of the first half of BBM and started thinking that Jack's woolly collar on his coat is rather sheep-like too. Another interesting element of the sheep situation is, I think, that when Ennis discovers that dead sheep he realizes that he's now become a "sheep" too... and all of his fears (going back to the Earl memory, etc.) are really brought to life. On my first viewing of BBM I initially thought that the dead sheep was sort of an over-determined symbol of "loss of innocence/ virginity." I guess it's still that too, but I feel like there's a lot more to it than something so straight forward.
I'm afraid we've gone off the mule topic. It is interesting that Ennis is always the one responsible for dealing with the mules when they move camp, etc. When Jack and Ennis are moving about on the mountain (bringing the herd up initially, switching camps and bringing them down) Ennis always seems so much more burdened than Jack because of those mules. Jack is always out in front while Ennis comes along behind eventually. Cute.
:)
--- End quote ---
The mules:
Yeah, it's always Ennis shown to be responsible for dealing with the mules. Though after their job switch, Jack is dealing with the mules at least every Friday for food supply. But it's not shown to us.
Jack and the sheep/birds:
--- Quote ---On my first viewing of BBM I initially thought that the dead sheep was sort of an over-determined symbol of "loss of innocence/ virginity."
--- End quote ---
Yes, that's what I noticed too at my first viewing.
Your not-at-all-kooky theory about the sheep as a symbol for Jackis just as valid as the theory of Jack as a being with wings. Esp. the image of Jack as the "black sheep" is self-evident.
--- Quote ---The only images of bloody and violent death that we see are the sheep that Ennis finds and the scenes we see in Ennis's head of Earl's murder and his deep suspicion that Jack was also murdered in a violent way.
--- End quote ---
This is a good point. And like Katherine, I see the dead sheep as a foreshadowing for Jack's cruel fate. Indepentent from the accident vs. murder debate, because either eventualities are a cruel way to die. "Drowned in his own blood" makes me cringe of horror and choke out of compassion for Jack.
Ennis being protective towards the sheep as well as towards Jack is another evidence for your theory.
Hey, I'm halfway argued into your Jack=sheep camp :)
But the sheep image doesn't fit so good with Jack=wind as the bird image does. Though you have some very good points to which I can't disagree, my gut-feeling still says Jack=bird.
In the end, both may be right. It's often said, but worth repeating: this is another reason why we love this movie. In many aspects, Ang Lee doesn't force us to his interpretation of the story, but leaves enough open space to find our own.
--- Quote ---I'm afraid we've gone off the mule topic.
--- End quote ---
Doesn't matter, does it? Maybe I should rename the thread "Ennis and the mules and other animal symbols" or something on this note.
Ellemeno:
I don't have anything big to add to this great thread. Just little bits:
I think that (spokenly or unspokenly) Ennis and Jack agreed that Jack simply didn't have the skill to handle the mules. And my guess is that Ennis continued to go down on Fridays so that no one would know they had switched jobs between them. After all Aguirre hadn't given them a choice - he had assigned the jobs.
I like the bear=danger standing in the water=relationship idea.
And the knots idea - Before they even go up the mountain, Jack recognizes Ennis's potential to "stand around tying knots all day."
I love this thread, and all the knots you wonderful people are tying in it!
Clarissa
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