Activists in Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx - Book Report/Review Example

However, their experiences in the vast, empty, beautiful Brokeback Mountain expose them to the reality that they are made for each other, regardless of the social codes that restrict their true desires. The way they struggle to handle this reality through the years is quite understandable, taking into account the spirit of the times in which they live. The story evolved beautifully, and the succession of events captured my mind and heart. The role reversals and climax made me sit back to think deeply about the human situation presented in the story and the power of love that makes people strive against all obstacles to be with that special person close than anyone to her/his heart.
The most significant part of the story that evoked an emotional response was where Ennis’s wife Alma confronts him with regard to his relationship with Jack. It was made clear early in the story that she witnessed the reunion of both the men after four years and how close they were romantical. After she quietly divorces him leads a life with the Riverton grocer, Ennis joins them on a Thanksgiving dinner. Once the dinner is over Alma makes clear how she always knew what Ennis’s problem was because she knew that the fishing trips for which he pretended to go with Jack were a lie. The price tag and a note she wrote and attached to the rod remained intact even after years and it was clear that the rods never touched the water. She tells him: “Don’t lie, don’t try to fool me, Ennis. I know what it means. Jack Twist? Jack Nasty. You and him –” This annoys Ennis more than anything and he seizes her wrist in anger. “ “Shut up,” he said. “Mind your own business. You don’t know anything about.” ”He leaves her in a fury afterward. I found this emotionally charged to the extent that I could see sparks fly in their dialogues and actions. Even as Ennis is unwilling to talk about his relationship with Jack, this incident makes clear how much he means to him. In a way, it is the closest he could own up Jack in that particular situation.
It is possible that a reader who approaches the whole story from the perspective of women who trapped in a relationship with men like Ennis and Jack would see this as an incident that reveals how violent Ennis becomes when confronted with reality. Instead of realizing how he ruined the life of the three other members of his family by being not sure of what he wants in life, he uses brutal force on Alma, whose only fault is to give him a chance, to be honest to himself. However, this kind of reading would take away the focus of the whole story, which is on the way social situations made it impossible for two men to have a fulfilling relationship with each other. The emotional responses from different perspectives enrich the story and make it more or less open-ended. Read More