In the scene where Jack first visits Ennis since their time on Brokeback Mountain, Alma displays a quiet torment when she discovers that Jack and Ennis are sexually and emotionally involved. The scene begins as Jack and Ennis huge each other on first sight. It is quite apparent that Ennis and Jack are trying to hide their relationship – the two initially hug then quickly seek cover behind the house before the sexual antics begin.
In the book, the scene is portrayed in a way that makes the reader assume that Ennis is fully aware of Alma’s presence; thus, the reader is filled with a particular loathing toward Ennis because of the audacity that he has to perform such an unfaithful act while his wife is present. It is completely degrading to Alma, and she has a right to feel oppressed. In the movie, however, Ennis never realizes that Alma is watching him kiss Jack. The movie’s approach to the scene eliminates the oppression that Alma would have felt had Ennis known that Alma was watching.
Nonetheless, Alma has a lot to worry about upon witnessing the scandalous sight. Her initial reaction portrays a flood of emotions – feelings of betrayal, disgust, and confusion consume her. Is Ennis a homosexual? Is Ennis going to leave her for another man? As Alma struggles to breathe, she shuts the door and retreats to the kitchen. Hanging her head and stumbling to the counter, she attempts to compose herself. The reader is left with one question: why does she have to compose herself and hide her secret when Ennis is the one in the wrong? In today’s world, she would have likely exposed Ennis and divorced him on the spot, but in the 1960’s, such a reaction would not have been tolerated. At that time, men were in power, and Alma would never have won a battle of he said/she said without any witnesses. A man’s word was the law, so Alma was essentially powerless in the matter.
The fact remains that an unfair double standard rules their relationship – Ennis is allowed to cheat on his wife without fear of consequence, but Alma is not. If the situation was reversed, Ennis would have exploded with anger and divulged his knowledge of her infidelity on the spot. The reader garners a respect for Alma’s strength as a person. She quiets her outrage for the sake of her marriage and their children – a display of self-control that is not easy.
1 comment:
You make an excellent comparison between the scene in the story and the scene in the film. The difference is, as you point out, extremely important because it makes Ennis in the story seem heedless of Alma's feelings. It takes longer for viewers to realize that while watching the film. He is thoughtless but not cruel to Alma when Jack first returns four years after Brokeback.
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