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.
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:
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."
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.
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.
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.
I'm afraid we've gone off the mule topic.
Doesn't matter, does it? Maybe I should rename the thread "Ennis and the mules and other animal symbols" or something on this note.