Topic: Symbolism of lasso scene - bondage?

[manila_rocks]

I am very curious as to how others feel about the symbolism at play in the rope/lasso scene. 

If I remember correctly, the rope captures the feet of Ennis and is then tightened slightly.  This pagkaalipin, as we say in my native country, I find fascinating and wonder what the author had in mind.

[Sitaram]

The name "Ennis del Mar" means Island in the Sea.  And Alma can mean young woman, or even water, or something which flows, or it can mean Soul/spirit.

So, Ennis is separated from Jack by a gulf, a chasm. In the beginning of the movie and the story, it speaks of Jack and Ennis catching glimpses of one another from a distance, across that chasm of valley which separates them.  "Twist" supposedly means the power of a rodeo cowboys legs to stay on the bucking horse, and ultimately break or tame him.

Jack only really catchs and tames Ennis posthumously, from beyond the grave.

This is all wild speculation on my part.

So, if Alma is the spirit and water of acceptible heterosexuality, and Ennis is an island, isolated in the middle of that water, but brokeback represents the process of taming, possessing, and there is an eternal dilemma which tears Ennis between his love for Jack, and his desire to conform.

Just some thoughts...

[*Froggy*]

I am very curious as to how others feel about the symbolism at play in the rope/lasso scene. 

If I remember correctly, the rope captures the feet of Ennis and is then tightened slightly.  This pagkaalipin, as we say in my native country, I find fascinating and wonder what the author had in mind.

I saw this scene...or rather the beg. of it, as a very sweet gesture from Jack...he knew they had to go, and Jack being a rodeo lad, used his lasso to get his Ennis...was probably expecting to get one last embrace from his lover too. It could also mean that Jack wanted to impose some power over Ennis, if he got to lasso him, he had the power to take him, to make him do as he wanted. ... It kind of backfired, when their little play turned into a fight. 

[manila_rocks]

It does seem to me that this displayed a desire on Jack's part, whether conscious or subconscious,  to dominate/control Ennis on some level.

Yes.  It may have been disguised as "horseplay".  But the reality of what was happening deeper in Jack's psyche is most intriguing.

[jackchristopher27]

The name "Ennis del Mar" means Island in the Sea.  And Alma can mean young woman, or even water, or something which flows, or it can mean Soul/spirit.

So, Ennis is separated from Jack by a gulf, a chasm. In the beginning of the movie and the story, it speaks of Jack and Ennis catching glimpses of one another from a distance, across that chasm of valley which separates them.  "Twist" supposedly means the power of a rodeo cowboys legs to stay on the bucking horse, and ultimately break or tame him.

Jack only really catchs and tames Ennis posthumously, from beyond the grave.

This is all wild speculation on my part.

So, if Alma is the spirit and water of acceptible heterosexuality, and Ennis is an island, isolated in the middle of that water, but brokeback represents the process of taming, possessing, and there is an eternal dilemma between which tears Ennis between his love for Jack, and his desire to conform.

Just some thoughts...

Holy hell, nice interpretation.    I couldn't have picked that up EVER, but it makes good sense. Thanks for explaining this.

[bnjmn3]

Aware the Ennis was obviously upset, Jack uses the lasso to get to him, connect with him--not bind him. They start off playing (this ain't no Rodeo cowboy) but doesn't the scene become so intense by the time they hit each other? They do not know how to communicate their emotions. I have read in different places that Jack slipped and kneed Ennis's nose, but it looks like he meant to hit him. I don't know...

[siredevienne38]

I never ever had the impression that the scene is about pure sexual bondage ideas - it is about sticking to the beloved person, never to let Ennis go anymore.....

[davidgray624]

I never ever had the impression that the scene is about pure sexual bondage ideas - it is about sticking to the beloved person, never to let Ennis go anymore.....

I have to agree with siredevienne. BOndage never crossed my mind when that scene happened. Atleast not sexual bondage. I think it is just Jack not wanting Ennis to leave. Plain and simple.

[bnjmn3]

Agree, Jack is using a symbol of the American West to show his bond with Ennis..that's it. Ennis does remind him.."this aint no Rodeo"..he knew all along how it would turn out... :'(

[My Man Jack]

It kind of backfired, when their little play turned into a fight. 

Do you think it turned into a fight because that is the way Ennis dealt with pain?  Or do you not think Ennis was in pain over having to leave?

[bnjmn3]

I have read that the knee to the face was an accident from Jack, but the "fight" looked real to me. Fighting over losing BBM and everything it means to them..maybe Ennis resenting Jack for bringing out love in him. Sad.

[jerasjr]

Think that Jack wanted to break through to Ennis, to make contact with him at the time of leaving... didn't see any sexual connotation there at all, just a desire to be closer.

[Patriot1]

Don't have any personal experience of course, but I never read that rope was a symbol of bondage.  What I have read always associated leather with bondage.  If that is true, I am in deep trouble.  I love the sounds of the leather when Ennis is riding up the trail with the mules just before the bear.   :D

[BBBOY]

Do you think it turned into a fight because that is the way Ennis dealt with pain?  Or do you not think Ennis was in pain over having to leave?

While the movie indicates that Ennis sort of lost control while they wrestling, surely an expression of his pain at the coming seperation, the story indicates more of an identical response from both boys. For me the rope was just a rope and Jack was trying to cheer Ennis up and probably keep his own spirits up at the same time. Jack usually expressed his most intense feelings through a kind of humor while Ennis could only express his through anger. Just my thoughts.

[LuvJackNasty]

Do you think it turned into a fight because that is the way Ennis dealt with pain?  Or do you not think Ennis was in pain over having to leave?

I think that is the way he dealt with pain. He went off and sat by himself to think or "pout" {for lack of a better word}. He internalized his emotions and they exploded on him. I can't see him opening up emotionally to Jack and tell him that his heart is breaking because they have to leave each other.

As for the rope- I took it as a playful gesture from Jack just trying to get Ennis to feel better. After my first viewing of BBM I had a delayed reaction and didn't cry until the next morning and this was the scene that did it to me.

[bnjmn3]

The scene with Ennis on the distant  hillside is revelation in terms of his character in BBM.   :'(

[filazahies]

IMO Jack knows how difficult it is for Ennis to express his emotions, so when he sees Ennis sitting thoughtful and alone he understands that Ennis is struggling with his own feelings, and so Jack uses the lasso to cheer him up and try to relieve his anguish.
Ennis is sitting all alone because he has already made a decision, he knows that when they come back he will marry Alma and probably will never see Jack again. The most beautiful time in his life has come to a sudden and unexpected end. And, as usual, he's unable to express how he feels.
 But then, the joke becomes a fight. Ennis beats Jack instead of hugging and kissing him (what is probably what he would have liked to do) because that's the way he reacts when he can't face a situation.
OMG and how important is this scene later in the story!!...The two shirts ... :'( :'( :'(

[rikcub]

I am very curious as to how others feel about the symbolism at play in the rope/lasso scene. 

If I remember correctly, the rope captures the feet of Ennis and is then tightened slightly.  This pagkaalipin, as we say in my native country, I find fascinating and wonder what the author had in mind.

In the short story it is describes as Ennis "feeling like he is in an irreversible, headlong fall" when he has to come down from the mountain.  I think he was in a dark place at that point in the movie...and Jack was just being playful..and being Jack....which then got out of hand.  Ennis had to somehow express his pain and this was through the violence and hitting.

[LuvJackNasty]

OMG and how important is this scene later in the story!!...The two shirts ... :'( :'( :'(

Both times symbolizing a painful goodbye/loss and yet an eduring love.  :'(

[Mars]

I think the same as you all.
This thread has admirably shown their intimate connection.
I'm just a little torn.

[Stephen]

I am very curious as to how others feel about the symbolism at play in the rope/lasso scene. 

If I remember correctly, the rope captures the feet of Ennis and is then tightened slightly.  This pagkaalipin, as we say in my native country, I find fascinating and wonder what the author had in mind.

In the short story it is describes as Ennis "feeling like he is in an irreversible, headlong fall" when he has to come down from the mountain.  I think he was in a dark place at that point in the movie...and Jack was just being playful..and being Jack....which then got out of hand.  Ennis had to somehow express his pain and this was through the violence and hitting.

Yes, rikcub, I agree; and that line you quote from the story is intriquing:  I think it suggests Ennis' headlong fall into the unknown of the overpowering passion between him and Jack. But, as you say, he is so inarticulate, that his mixed feelings are expressed through the physical, through sex and fighting,and rough play.

[Sitaram]

I am very curious as to how others feel about the symbolism at play in the rope/lasso scene. 

If I remember correctly, the rope captures the feet of Ennis and is then tightened slightly.  This pagkaalipin, as we say in my native country, I find fascinating and wonder what the author had in mind.

In the short story it is describes as Ennis "feeling like he is in an irreversible, headlong fall" when he has to come down from the mountain.  I think he was in a dark place at that point in the movie...and Jack was just being playful..and being Jack....which then got out of hand.  Ennis had to somehow express his pain and this was through the violence and hitting.

Yes, rikcub, I agree; and that line you quote from the story is intriquing:  I think it suggests Ennis' headlong fall into the unknown of the overpowering passion between him and Jack. But, as you say, he is so inarticulate, that his mixed feelings are expressed through the physical, through sex and fighting,and rough play.

For those who might be curious, in the Tagalog language (Pilipino) of the Philippines, pagkaalipin means  (to the best of my knowledge) "under slavery" , pag = under, kaalipin=slavery, i.e. enslaved.

[Stephen]

Thanks for the info! Yes, enslaved by another, by one's own passions, by one's inability to articulate feelings, by one's fears.......so the playful lasso can be seen as a symbol of Ennis becoming enslaved by Jack's passions, charisma, by the forces of Nature, and of course by his own ambivalence.

[n061857]

This is a most beautiful scene.  All responses have already been made.  I don't think Jack kneed Ennis on purpose.  I think additioally, Ennis may have felt trapped by the lasso, as he does by his own unfathomable emotions and explodes at the sheer power of these unexplainable feelings.

What a wonderful post, Sitaram.  Thank you for the insights.