Topic: knives on counter in trailor scene - significance..

[manila_rocks]

I have noted the clear display of erect knives on the counter in Ennis trailer.  There were a number of them in holders.   Now, the trailer was noticeably devoid of furnishings so I wonder if these knives signify something more.  Desperation?  A way out?     

[bnjmn3]

i noticed them, too. I thought: Cowboy..Wyoming..lots of meat from work...remember the "drop the girls off at the store scene" (with the oddly self-repairing jars of nuts) where Ennis said he gonna bring home some steaks for Alma and the girls..

[manila_rocks]

But all poor Alma wanted was fish.  Remember when she declared "you know how the girls and I love fish". 

Well, I suppose one needs a knife for fish and steak.     However, I think the noticeable display of so many knives in his sparely furnished trailer indicates something much more.

[manila_rocks]

These erect knives came to me in a dream last night here in Mexico.  I have never had such a dream prior to departing my own country.    I know feel the fact that a)the knives were erect and b)they were pointed downward toward hell both have a great deal of symbolism.

The fact that the sharp points were toward hell is an indication of the condition of Ennis psyche and hellish earthly existence in terms of loosing his wife, Jack, having no friends, and only a small trailer furnished ever so sparsely albeit with erect knifes!

[AnitaSmith]

I have noted the clear display of erect knives on the counter in Ennis trailer.  There were a number of them in holders.   Now, the trailer was noticeably devoid of furnishings so I wonder if these knives signify something more.  Desperation?  A way out? 

Didn't Ennis shoot a buck while on Brokeback with Jack?  If my memory serves me, I believe they cooked up the meat for they were so sick of beans.  I'd think they would need extra sharp knives for that job.

[scruffy]

My brother is a hunter and he has many knives in his camper.  So, when I saw the knives in Ennis' trailer I just assumed they were carving knives for hunting.

[manila_rocks]

I think these phallic like knives are more significant than we all realize.   Keep in mind they could have been resting in a flat manner.  However, the director chose to have them standing and prominently displayed multiple times.

[manila_rocks]

Some additional thoughts re these instruments:

a) they signify a "way out" if ennis should so choose

b) they extend upwards toward heaven (the opposite of the hell in which ennis resides)

c) perhaps these knives are made by an important american company which would enjoy
   the publicity and make for an advantageous alliance with the filmmaker

d) perhaps the knives are actually "dull".. much like the life of ennis

[romeshvr]

Could it be just that Ennis is setting up house... Remember when Ennis poured wine for Alma Jr.  The screen play says it is from the left over affair with Cassey.  Maybe Cassey brought the knives and kind of started to set-up a house for Ennis and then after Jack passed away he broke of the relationship....

[tpe]

Could it be just that Ennis is setting up house... Remember when Ennis poured wine for Alma Jr.  The screen play says it is from the left over affair with Cassey.  Maybe Cassey brought the knives and kind of started to set-up a house for Ennis and then after Jack passed away he broke of the relationship....

Good point.  In the screenplay, recall that the cheap white wine that Ennis drank with Alma Jr. for the toast was identified as a remnant of Ennis' time with Cassie.

[bnjmn3]

Hate to be contrary..in a light manner, but I don't think the knives are significant..we could walk across the trailer park (at least Ennis is living around other people for a change) and everyone would have knives. But who knows..

[romeshvr]

remember ...ennis was a camp tender...so he would need and have knives and stuff....i think....

[Jack_ME]

Cassie: Hey cowboy! So what do you do?.......Ennis:....well I was castrating calves all day......

Knives are definitely required for something like that. I am not convinced they tell more. What about the TV? ....etc. Ennis was both neat and not neat. His kitchen counter(sink area) looked a bit like dirty dishes accumulating to me. Although with Alma Jr's sweater he neatly folded it up to keep for her, which is considerate. I know some people who would have just flopped down on the bed on top of it, and eventually kicked it off and probably kicked it under the bed too! But I didn't think Ennis was any nit-picky neat freak about house cleaning. So my point is that possibly what we saw was just the regular accumulation of stuff. Also, people who value knives, would NEVER put them in a draw to bang around. A knife block, or barring that, a sheath is how one takes care of a quality knife.

Just thoughts.

Jack in Maine