Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum

Interesting observations about the short story

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RouxB:
Part of what makes the story brilliant is it's brevity and simplicity. An amazingly  complex character development in such a few short pages. Twenty years of time experienced by the reader...Evocative, heart-wrenching-I am enthralled each and every time I read it.

 O0

Jeff Wrangler:

--- Quote from: Katie77 on July 20, 2006, 11:24:52 pm ---I have been reading all the posts in this thread, and they are all interesting, and I think I have become to like the book a little bit more than what I did originally...

I saw the movie twice, before I bought the book, and after reading it for the first time, I thought, shit, how did they make such a powerful movie from that book.
I didnt like the description of the boys, didnt like the "urinating in the sink" bit, maybe I'm just not that good at gauging the emotions from the written word....(I usually prefer to see a movie before reading the book, then I have the characters and story all ready in place to fit to the written words)..

I have read the book many many times, usually when i just need a quick "hit", and havent got time to sit and watch the movie, and the more I read it, I must admit, the more I do like it, but I have said, that if I had read the book first, I might not have been so eager to see the movie.

On the other hand, I have always wished the book was a two inch thick novel, that I could have curled up with, and devoured , with explanations and lots more detail for everything we wonder about, and side stories, that we just imagine, or assume happened.......So often, have I damned Annie for only writing a short story.

Anyway, was wondering if any others out there felt like i did about the book.

--- End quote ---

It's funny, but I'm sure you could argue indefinitely the virtue of "reading the story first, then seeing the movie," vs. "seeing the movie first, then reading the story." Each side, I'm sure, would have its passionate defenders. I think, though, at least everyone can agree on how amazingly faithful the film is to the original Annie Proulx story.

I've known the story since its original publication in The New Yorker. (Boy, have I kicked myself for not saving that issue!  :laugh: ) So I already basically knew what to expect in terms of the plot. I deliberately went out and bought a copy of the story to read and refresh my memory just before I saw the film for the first time. I was absolutely stunned to hear whole passages of dialogue that I recognized as lifted right from the pages of Annie Proulx, and to see scenes (for example, Jack, in the pup tent, looking down at Ennis's "night fire," and Ennis looking up at Jack on the heights with the sheep) that I also recognized as coming right from the text.

mvansand76:

--- Quote from: ednbarby on July 20, 2006, 09:54:19 am ---I remember weeping the first time I saw the movie at the way Jack's room looked so bare - I couldn't put a finger on it, but something about such a burning soul living in that plain, cold room made my heart hurt.


--- End quote ---

So true and well-put, it's exactly what I have noticed during the past viewings. The sheer persistance of Jack to create a better life for himself (and Ennis) than what he was brought up in is so overwhelming and such a wonderful character trait. It makes you love him even more. He had so many plans, he was such an idealist. It's such a stark contrast with the austerity and bleakness of his room (the music adds to this, it's soooo bleak...). Also, I think this is where Ennis realises that not only did Jack's father never believe in Jack's dreams, but that he himself was the one who really crushed Jack's dreams, that he was to blame for Jack not being able to live the dream (life) that he dreamed (wanted), I think that's what he feels most guilty about at that point.

Just when you think you are starting to get over the sadness of this story...

Samrim:
Hello Katie, and all,
I have to say that I agree with Roux; I ache for the film still, it's just so perfect (I've even had a lump in my throat  reading some of the end tags on some messages in this string ::)), but when I  read the short story AFTER seeing the film, I was completely blown away. I mean how can we possibly SEE a twenty year life in thirty pages :) Annie Proulx has the sublime gift of saying much with little! Both film and book are jewels which I treasure
I can't add to the debate, which I find deeply interesting and pleasing. Thanks a bunch everyone! Best Wishes  ;D

2robots4u:
Front-Ranger...the actual words are "The wind strikes the trailer like a load of dirt coming off a dump truck, eases, dies, leaves a temporary silence."

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