Homosexuality Criticism as Reflected from "Brokeback Mountain"

Abstract

This paper examines the social change of homosexuality as characterized in the film ”Brokeback Mountain,” one of the most illustrious movies that Ang Lee directs. The topic of homosexuality and the need for respect and acceptance in the contemporary society is explored in detail in Ang Lee's 2005 Oscar winning film ”Brokeback Mountain.” Ang Lee attempts to portray a love story between two decent young men in this film which is adapted from a short story written by Annie Proulx in 1997. In ”Brokeback Mountain”, Ang Lee explored a theme that is considered taboo in the rural Western social setting. Due to the traditional and conservative environment, Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist had to separate but then both got married and formed a ”family.” Even the anti-gay movement is popular around the society, the firm attachment of Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist enabled them to finally change the altitude of their families. US President Barack Obama also officially endorsed ”same-sex marriage” on May 9, 2012, completing a wrenching personal transformation on the issue (Calmes & Baker, 2012). In the meantime, the story parallel to ”Brokeback Mountain” has gradually gained attention in the Chinese speaking communities, prompting the recognition of gender-equality in the contemporary society. Thus, this paper attempts to discuss the complicated relationship between homosexuality and family ethics through the analyzing of the inter actions between the two main characters and their families. In the analysis of relation between family and homosexuality, the focus will be on the repressed gays under the fixed family frame. In the case of Del Mar and Twist, they realize the reality that heterosexual families provided a place for social survival. However, they chose to pursue the opposite, namely, homosexual family as port rayed in ”Brokeback Mountain.” With the in-depth analysis of this film, we must consider the impact of the homosexuality of the two main characters before concluding the story as a sorrowful narrative of societal restrictions.