Brokeback Mountain Masculinity Analysis
Brokeback Mountain & Masculinity
Submitted by: Jenna Ricard – 0757383
Submitted to: Professor Dauda
Date: March 12, 2014
The film Brokeback Mountain is a tragic love story following the lives of two young cowboys in Wyoming, Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar. The two main characters are hired to work on a ranch herding sheep on Brokeback Mountain in the summer of 1963, and during this time developed a bond and feelings for each other (Brokeback Mountain, 2005). The movie continues for three decades examining the lives of Jack and Ennis and illustrates the challenges they face in their marriages and society, as well as how their love for each other is forbidden and must remain a secret. The complications, grief, …show more content…
Hegemonic masculinity is the gender practice that guarantees the dominant social position of men and the subordinate social position of women (Donaldson, 1993). Hegemonic masculinity is associated with the social embodiment for masculinity as well heterosexuality and masculinity became linked in the Western culture (Connell & Messerschmidt, 2005). Brokeback Mountain demonstrates heterosexuality and masculinity being dominant in the Western culture as Jack and Ennis both feel they need to conform to the norms of heterosexuality and masculinity. As well, hegemonic masculinity is associated with regional masculinity (Connell & Messerschmidt, 2005). Regional masculinity is present in Brokeback Mountain, which is what causes the challenges Jack and Ennis endure. Hegemonic masculinity assists in reinforcing our views of masculinity in Brokeback Mountain by demonstrating the need for cowboys to be strong and heterosexual. Hegemonic masculinity also challenges our views of masculinity. In the film we see Lureen dominating Jack in regards to occupational status. Lureen displays the role of a business woman, while Jack is only a sales representative for farming equipment. As well, Jack and Ennis’s relationship challenges the idea of men being heterosexual in the Western culture. Overall, hegemonic masculinity is present within Brokeback Mountain and both reinforces and challenges our views of
Submitted by: Jenna Ricard – 0757383
Submitted to: Professor Dauda
Date: March 12, 2014
The film Brokeback Mountain is a tragic love story following the lives of two young cowboys in Wyoming, Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar. The two main characters are hired to work on a ranch herding sheep on Brokeback Mountain in the summer of 1963, and during this time developed a bond and feelings for each other (Brokeback Mountain, 2005). The movie continues for three decades examining the lives of Jack and Ennis and illustrates the challenges they face in their marriages and society, as well as how their love for each other is forbidden and must remain a secret. The complications, grief, …show more content…
Hegemonic masculinity is the gender practice that guarantees the dominant social position of men and the subordinate social position of women (Donaldson, 1993). Hegemonic masculinity is associated with the social embodiment for masculinity as well heterosexuality and masculinity became linked in the Western culture (Connell & Messerschmidt, 2005). Brokeback Mountain demonstrates heterosexuality and masculinity being dominant in the Western culture as Jack and Ennis both feel they need to conform to the norms of heterosexuality and masculinity. As well, hegemonic masculinity is associated with regional masculinity (Connell & Messerschmidt, 2005). Regional masculinity is present in Brokeback Mountain, which is what causes the challenges Jack and Ennis endure. Hegemonic masculinity assists in reinforcing our views of masculinity in Brokeback Mountain by demonstrating the need for cowboys to be strong and heterosexual. Hegemonic masculinity also challenges our views of masculinity. In the film we see Lureen dominating Jack in regards to occupational status. Lureen displays the role of a business woman, while Jack is only a sales representative for farming equipment. As well, Jack and Ennis’s relationship challenges the idea of men being heterosexual in the Western culture. Overall, hegemonic masculinity is present within Brokeback Mountain and both reinforces and challenges our views of