"Brokeback Mountain" is far more than the stigma it faces
“Brokeback Mountain” has gotten a bit of a stigma in the past 20 years.
Most people are unaware that it originally started as a short story by Annie Proulx. It follows two “cowboys,” for lack of a better term, named Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist and their “love story,” for lack of a better term, that spans 20 years.
It is raw, powerful and, more than anything else, contentious. It was released in 1997 and followed by the infamous film of the same name in 2005, and, as the world has become more accepting of LGBTQ+ stories, it has also aged like wine.
I have never seen the film, but I almost definitely will after reading the short story. Proulx, in the same manner as the rough ‘n’ tough ‘60s Western men she created just for “Brokeback Mountain,” describes everything in a manner that is short and straightforward. This is liable to give the reader whiplash.
It feels very real, especially considering how Ennis and Jack behave toward each other – their “love story” consists of very little actual romance. They behave as and speak to each other as though they were just fishing buddies, but the casual nature of their relationship is interspersed with kisses and (as unfortunate as the word is in describing such a serious story) spice.
The only instances of the two really analyzing the nature of their relationship are when they are confronted by other people, during moments of intense rage and sadness directed at the fact that their romance is found upon fleeting moments, or the realization that their affair could very likely lead to deadly consequences.
The judgement of other people plagues both of them, and it is disturbing and horrible but simultaneously a joy to read.
That being said, there are some things that can be improved upon – the setup is that of an older Ennis looking back upon his relationship with Jack, but I think this is unnecessary.
In a perfect world, “Brokeback Mountain” would be written entirely in the historical present of the 1960s through the 1980s, allowing things to unfold without the weight of older Ennis’ reminiscence or perception.
I think the events of the story would have been more impactful this way. This is not to say that they are not already impactful, but in a story that is not far from perfection, minute flaws such as this one become more noticeable.
Nevertheless, that is genuinely my only complaint. “Brokeback Mountain” resonated with me in a way most stories do not. Considering I read at least one work a week for this column, this is saying a lot – I find it difficult to think of another story, at least in recent memory, that affected me like this one.
It is not perfect, and it is not everyone’s cup of tea, but I think the core of a tragic love affair will at least be able to gather everyone’s interest. “Brokeback Mountain” and its tragedy is necessary, and I highly recommend it, especially to any romance girlies out there – it’s different, but it is a romance greater than most others.
Rating: 8/10
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