A heterosexual lifestyle is dominant in today’s society, and the majority of the states that make up USA have heterosexual laws that prevent the marital union of homosexuals. Flashback to the 1960s when homophobia was rampant – a homosexual male walking the streets could eventually be found in a ditch beaten to death, as confirmed by Ennis’ account of the 2 homosexual men, “I was what, 9 years old, and they found Earl dead in an irrigation ditch” (Proulx 79). Due to such brutish scare tactics from homophobic, macho males, homosexual men would go to great lengths to conceal their costly secret – they would marry wives, have children, and fight, with great fervor, their natural predisposition towards the same sex. Such was the life of a homosexual male during that time period, but is it really so different in today’s society?
Look no farther than the year 2000 when Vermont became the 1st state to legally recognize civil unions between homosexual couples – only 11 years ago. Progress is being made toward the gay rights movement, but the gains are not coming quick enough to cover the losses – “roughly 20 percent of gay, lesbian and bisexual teens said they had made an attempt (at suicide), versus 4 percent of straight kids (Tanner, huffingtonpost.com).”
Ennis and Jack discuss the possibility of creating a life together, but the fairytale is soon dismissed at the thought of the ridicule, embarrassment, and potential yet likely harm they would surely suffer for such a life. Instead, they each create families of their own and, in doing so, compromise the emotional wellbeing of everyone involved. Ennis displays an extreme form of sexism when he subjects wife Alma to witnessing him passionately kiss and grope his secret lover Jack, yet she is forced to live by Ennis’ motto, “if you can’t fix it, you’ve got to stand it” (Proulx 79). Finally, Alma grows strong enough to break away from Ennis’s emotionally abusive ways as she takes full custody the 2 girls and marries another man. One Christmas, Ennis is invited to Alma’s house for dinner. While the 2 are in the kitchen, Ennis assaults Alma as she reveals her knowledge of his love for Jack, and again, his sexist ways get the better of Alma causing her physical and emotional pain.
Ennis, being a man, believes that he is stronger and superior to Alma; thus, he feels that he may treat her without compassion or consideration. Jack portrays the same message as he cheats on his wife for another rancher’s wife who lives down the road. The problems of homophobia and sexism that were documented in Annie Proulx’s Brokeback Mountain are still very much present in 2011. Gay, lesbian, and bisexual suicide rates are through the roof, and families are being torn apart due to homophobic and sexist issues. In a constant search for vindication and happiness, Ennis finds himself broke, divorced, and without his true love Jack all because he was too afraid to live a life he truly deserved with another man.
1 comment:
It is interesting that you have chosen the picture that shows that Enni and Jak are connected but disconnected. Your point about Ennis's relationship to Alma is very important. It is through her that he proves he is a man, yet it is also through her viewing his kiss withs Jak that he reveals his vulnerabhility.
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