The Influence of Cowboy Stereotypes on Ennis and Jack's Relationship

Ennis and Jack's perception of their relationship in both the screenplay based on Annie Proulx's short story, Brokeback Mountain, and Ang Lee's film adaptation is influenced by the classic stereotype of the Western cowboy. The portrayal of the masculine cowboy who is expected to conform to a certain lifestyle is subtly implied in both the text and the movie, causing Ennis and Jack to react with a sense of detachment.

Despite being confused, hesitant, and in denial of their relationship, Ennis and Jack cannot resist the temptations of each other.

They are secretive, but the townspeople and their family are aware of their true intentions and disapprove of them. The continuation of their relationship tests how far Ennis and Jack are willing to go to maintain their private bond.

Jack and Ennis had similar upbringings, from the environment where they lived to how they were raised to behave. Their affair begins in Brokeback Mountain with unspoken feelings that lead to arguments, unresolved issues, and hesitations about their emotions.

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The novel and film depict the typical cowboy as highly masculine, making it difficult for Jack and Ennis to openly express their affection for each other without fear of being seen as weak. Their relationships with their fathers were also marked by violence.

Jack experienced severe physical abuse from his father John at a young age, with John showing no regret for his brutal actions. Jack believed he was near death due to the beatings inflicted by his father (Proulx, 1999, p. 25). Consequently, Jack's upbringing taught him that severe consequences would follow if he was at fault.

In the 1960s in Wyoming, Ennis had to navigate expressing his love for Jack in a society that stigmatized homosexuality. Despite caring deeply for Jack, Ennis was conscious of the societal condemnation awaiting homosexuals.

Ennis is influenced by his father's homophobic beliefs, as shown in the film when his father takes him to see a dead body of a murdered homosexual man. Ennis even suspects his father may have been involved in the murder. This traumatic experience contributes to Ennis denying his true sexuality and instead adopting a tough cowboy image.

After their initial sexual experience at Brokeback Mountain, they both struggle with their emotions. Although they enjoy being together, Ennis quickly denies any labels of being "queer," and Jack agrees, calling it a one-time occurrence that is nobody else's concern (Proulx, 1999, p. 7). After finishing their summer job herding sheep on Brokeback, they part ways without discussing what transpired between them.

Ennis feels nauseous and stops while walking away, realizing that his only regret is leaving Jack and never establishing anything with him. After four years of silence, Jack reaches out to Ennis, who is overcome with excitement. When Jack arrives, Ennis embraces him intimately without hesitation, a stark contrast to his previous reluctance due to societal judgments.

For years, they have hidden their relationship, with Ennis more reluctant than Jack to acknowledge their true feelings. Ennis, influenced by his father's homophobia, is fearful of accepting Jack's offers of a life together to maintain a tough cowboy image. They both understand that society would not accept their love and could potentially lead to a difficult life or even death.

Jack and Ennis choose to marry women and start a family in order to fit in as traditional western cowboys. Jack's marriage to Lureen reveals her as the more masculine partner, with her father, L.D. Newsome, embodying a strong example of conventional masculinity. Newsome enjoys asserting his dominance over Jack, but Jack stands up for himself by asserting his authority in his own home, declaring, "This is my house! This is my child! And you are my guest! Now sit the hell down before I knock your ignorant ass into next week!" (Lee, 2005).

Before meeting Jack, Ennis was engaged to Alma, embodying the stereotypical cowboy behavior expected in society. After his divorce, Ennis meets Cassie, though his reluctance is evident as seen when she tries to dance with him. Unlike most men, Ennis does not seem pleased in these situations. As his relationship with Jack deepens, Ennis becomes increasingly anxious and paranoid, leading him to withdraw and become secretive about their relationship.

Upon learning of Jack's death, Ennis suspects that he was killed because his sexuality was discovered in the community, echoing the time when Ennis' father showed him the body of a murdered homosexual. The rigid expectations of masculinity in cowboy culture meant that deviation from the norm resulted in severe consequences, as seen with Jack's fate. This fear of judgment and persecution from the community led Jack and Ennis to keep their relationship hidden, for fear of facing similar repercussions.

Reference List:

1. Lee, A. (Director). (2005). Brokeback Mountain. America: River Road Entertainment, Good Machine.
2. Proulx, A. (2006). Brokeback Mountain, the story. Brokeback Mountain: Story to Screenplay (pp. 1-28). London: Perennial.