click to travel
jack ennis alma lureen
aguirre alma jr jenny bobby
this is a page full of tropes ive dedicated to brokeback mountain and its characters.
this page is created by me and brokeback is genuinely one of the most speical things to me.
i've watched the movie over two hundred times over the years. my whole soul is this movie.
you can click here to find character summaries i've wrote on everyone listed here.
ennis and jack's relationship in "brokeback mountain" is a deep, forbidden love between two cowboys. they fall in love despite the societal pressures of their time, leading to a hidden and tragic romance.
tropes i'd say were portayed in the movie would be as followed:
- star-crossed lovers: their love is hindered by external forces and internal conflicts.
- forbidden love: the relationship between jack and ennis is kept secret due to societal and personal fears.
- tragic romance: their relationship is filled with heartache and ends in tragedy.
- unresolved sexual tension: their powerful attraction can't be fully expressed.
- rugged masculinity: they embody traditional masculine roles while showing emotional vulnerability.
- tragic romance: their love story is marked by obstacles and a heartbreaking end.
- queer tragedy: reflects the struggles and often tragic outcomes faced by lgbtq+ individuals, especially in a historical context.
- the western: the setting and elements of the film draw heavily from traditional westerns, but with a modern twist.
- coming-of-age: the film tracks the personal growth and development of jack and ennis over many years, highlighting their struggles with identity, love, and acceptance.
- rural purity: the natural beauty and isolation of the rural setting emphasize the purity and intensity of jack and ennis's relationship, contrasting with the constraints of societal expectations.
- forbidden zone: the secluded and remote brokeback mountain serves as a "forbidden zone" where jack and ennis can express their love away from the judgmental eyes of society.
- the lonely road: the isolated settings, like brokeback mountain itself, symbolize the emotional and physical isolation of the characters.
- the complicated relationship: the film explores the complexities of the relationship between jack and ennis, including its many highs and lows.
- the one that got away: the story reflects on missed opportunities and the profound impact of lost love, with jack and ennis's relationship being central to this theme.
- the struggling hero: both jack and ennis face personal struggles and conflicts, embodying the trope of the flawed yet sympathetic hero.
- the bitter end: the film concludes with a sense of unresolved sorrow and regret, emphasizing the tragic nature of the characters' lives.
- the emotional journey: the film chronicles the emotional growth and turmoil of the characters over time, highlighting their personal journeys.
- the clash of cultures: the tension between the traditional rural setting and the evolving social attitudes provides a backdrop for the characters' struggles.
- the small town big secret: the film showcases the impact of living in a small town where personal secrets can have significant consequences.
- the lost dream: jack and ennis both have dreams for a different life that ultimately remains out of reach due to their circumstances and societal constraints.
- the hidden depths: the film reveals the depth of the characters’ emotions and struggles that are often concealed beneath the surface.
- the cost of conformity: the characters’ experiences reflect the personal cost of adhering to societal norms and expectations, particularly regarding sexuality and relationships.
- the unspoken bond: much of the connection between jack and ennis is conveyed through unspoken understanding and shared experiences, rather than explicit communication.
these tropes help to frame the themes and emotional depth of brokeback mountain, contributing to its impact as a film.
their story is a powerful tale of love, identity, and the struggle against societal constraints.
jack
here are some tropes i associate with jack twist.
these tropes help define jack twist's character and the emotional depth of his role in the film.
- character tropes:
- the heart: jack is the more emotionally expressive and optimistic of the pair, often trying to find ways for them to be together.
- tragic hero: jack's life is filled with struggles and ultimately ends tragically.
- unrequited love: although ennis loves him, jack often feels that ennis cannot fully reciprocate his desire for a life together.
- dreamer: jack dreams of a life where he and ennis can live openly and happily together.
- star-crossed lovers: his relationship with ennis is doomed from the start due to external pressures and internal conflicts.
- sensitive guy and manly man: jack is often seen as more sensitive compared to the more stoic and reserved ennis.
- rebellious spirit: jack is more willing to challenge societal norms and pursue his desires despite the risks.
- hopeful romantic: jack maintains hope and romantic ideals about their future together despite numerous setbacks.
- risk-taker: jack is willing to take significant risks, both personally and professionally, to pursue what he wants.
- double life: jack leads a double life, balancing his relationship with ennis and his outwardly heterosexual marriage.
- tragic optimist: despite facing numerous hardships and disappointments, jack remains optimistic about their future until the end.
ennis
i selected the some of the same tropes for ennis as they are in the same movie.
these tropes help define ennis del mar's character and the emotional depth of his role in the film.
- character tropes:
- the stoic: ennis is emotionally reserved and struggles to express his feelings.
- tragic hero: ennis's life is filled with struggles and ultimately ends in loneliness and regret.
- unrequited love: while he loves jack, ennis is unable to fully reciprocate jack's desire for a life together due to his fears and societal pressures.
- repressed gay: ennis has difficulty accepting his own sexuality and the love he feels for jack.
- star-crossed lovers: his relationship with jack is doomed from the start due to external pressures and internal conflicts.
- manly man and sensitive guy: ennis is the more traditionally masculine and stoic compared to the more emotionally expressive jack.
- internalized homophobia: ennis's fear of his own sexuality and the potential consequences of living openly affects his decisions and relationships.
- loner: ennis often isolates himself emotionally and physically, struggling to form deep connections with others.
- duty-bound: ennis feels a strong sense of responsibility to societal expectations, his family, and his perceived duties, which often conflicts with his personal desires.
- fear of intimacy: ennis has a deep-seated fear of intimacy, which affects his ability to fully connect with jack and others in his life.
- double life: ennis also leads a double life, balancing his relationship with jack and his outwardly heterosexual marriage.
alma
here we have the tropes i've chosen for alma, ennis' wife.
i wonder if ennis ever really did love alma or if his heart was really set on jack.
- character tropes:
- the betrayed spouse: alma discovers ennis's affair with jack and feels deeply hurt and betrayed.
- the supportive spouse: initially, alma supports ennis and tries to maintain their marriage despite sensing something is wrong.
- silent suffering: alma endures emotional pain quietly, trying to keep the family together despite her own suffering.
- the homemaker: she fulfills traditional gender roles by taking care of the home and children.
- tragic wife: alma's life is marked by sadness and disappointment due to her husband's infidelity and emotional distance.
- emotional punching bag: alma bears the brunt of ennis's frustrations and emotional turmoil.
- the realist: once she realizes the truth about ennis's relationship with jack, alma faces the reality of their situation head-on.
- long-suffering spouse: she endures a marriage filled with unspoken truths and emotional distance for the sake of their family.
- the observer: alma watches ennis's behavior and gradually pieces together the nature of his relationship with jack.
- the nurturer: despite her own pain, alma continues to care for her children and tries to provide a stable home.
- repressed anger: alma holds back her anger and frustration for a long time before finally confronting ennis.
- self-sacrificing: she puts her own needs and desires aside for the sake of her family, enduring a difficult marriage for the sake of her children.
lureen
and following suit, jack's wife, lureen.
i feel like lureen knew very early on jack and ennis' relationship, that's just me though.
- character tropes:
- the trophy wife: lureen is presented as a high-society woman, married to jack who is seen as a means of social status and success.
- the supportive wife: she supports jack in his career and is involved in maintaining their affluent lifestyle.
- the oblivious spouse: lureen is unaware of jack's affair with ennis for much of their marriage, reflecting a lack of insight into her husband's true feelings and actions.
- the socialite: she is concerned with social appearances and maintaining their status in society.
- the unhappy wife: despite her outward success and affluence, lureen experiences unhappiness and dissatisfaction in her marriage.
- the materialist: she values wealth and social position, which affects her perspective on her relationship with jack.
- the practical spouse: lureen is pragmatic and focused on the tangible aspects of life, such as financial stability and social status.
- the frustrated spouse: she struggles with jack's emotional distance and the lack of true intimacy in their relationship.
- the supportive mother: lureen is dedicated to raising their children and maintaining a stable home life.
- the conflicted partner: she has mixed feelings about jack's behavior and their relationship, leading to emotional tension.
- the jaded partner: over time, lureen becomes disillusioned with the realities of her marriage and the unfulfilled promises.
- the pragmatic decision-maker: she makes decisions based on practicality and necessity, especially when dealing with the fallout of jack’s actions.
aguirre
we don't really see much of him but next is joe aguirre, the boss the boys had during the summer.
i always wonder why aguirre didn't ever expose jack and ennis' relationship.
- character tropes:
- the authoritative figure: joe is the boss on Brokeback Mountain, exerting control and influence over the cowboys working there.
- the gruff mentor: he provides guidance to jack and ennis in a tough, no-nonsense manner, imparting practical skills and wisdom about the job.
- the hard-nosed pragmatist: joe is focused on getting the job done and is less concerned with personal matters or emotions.
- the no-nonsense boss: he maintains a professional demeanor and expects his workers to adhere to the rules and perform their duties effectively.
- the realist: joe is practical and grounded, often providing a stark contrast to the romantic and idealistic views of jack and ennis.
- the blue-collar worker: he represents the working-class ethos and values, emphasizing hard work and practicality.
- the detached observer: joe is aware of the personal dynamics between jack and ennis but remains largely detached from their emotional struggles.
- the experienced leader: he has a wealth of experience and knowledge about ranch work and life in the rural setting.
- the practical enforcer: joe enforces rules and expectations without much sympathy or leniency, ensuring that work is completed efficiently.
- the silent witness: while not deeply involved in the personal lives of jack and ennis, joe witnesses the unfolding drama from a distance.
- the seasoned veteran: he has been in the business for a long time and brings a level of expertise and wisdom to his role.
- the realist: joe’s approach to life and work is based on practicality and survival, often highlighting the contrasts between his worldview and the more idealistic perspectives of others.