Research 4 - Textual analysis

The 'horrific incident' scene in Brokeback Mountain
This scene from Brokeback Mountain combines close-up shots with low-key lighting to connote an overwhelming sense of emotion and inner conflict between the characters.
The secluded setting tells us just how much of a secret this 'thing' between Jack and Ennis must be, whilst the low-key lighting portrays them as literally in the dark. This suggests that it is common knowledge to them and everything else that being gay is frowned upon and it must not be shown in the light of day.

The close-up shots within the scene perfectly exemplify the inner conflicts of both characters. Both Jack and Ennis are framed in very tight shots, connoting that they are trapped, but at the same time isolated; They are trapped within this secret, but completely isolated not only in the setting of the scene, but also within society. Furthermore, the close-ups show great emotion, but it is possible to find differences in the emotions shown. Jack's face is tired, etched with worry and sadness; he can't bare to keep up the charade and wants to be with Ennis. Meanwhile, Ennis' close-up shots are emotional in a different way, as he recounts the 'horrific incident' it is clearly painful for him, but there is also a flicker of recognition that he and Jack would likely have the same fate, thus making him realise that he will have to disappoint Jack during the talk of moving to a ranch, which he does, purely to protect the both of them.

The flashback sequence is in slow motion, suggesting it is difficult for Ennis to recall. The non-diegetic sound used in the sequence is slow, sad and consistent; it is almost haunting to the viewer. Combine this with the diegetic sound of Ennis' father, as well as Ennis' monologue, and the haunting atmosphere in the scene is doubled. Thanks to this sequence, we discover out just how wrong it is seen to be gay. We essentially find out the ideologies of the time period in one sequence. This sequence could be seen as foreshadowing, in a way, as we know that Jack and Ennis could have the same end as the two gay men who were beaten to death.

An article about Brokeback Mountain on the 'Catholic Culture' website supports this suggestion of foreshadowing and the 'inevitability' of a certain outcome, with one paragraph summarising;

"Jack harbors a secret wish for a different life with the two of them together on a ranch somewhere, but Ennis is convinced that two men living together can only end badly. Indeed, he knows of such a case from his childhood, since his father made a point of showing him the mutilated bodies of two local men killed in a gay-bashing attack. "For all I know, he did the job," Ennis adds."