Publishing History of “Brokeback Mountain”
Annie Proulx’s short story was first published in The New Yorker on October 13, 1997․ It later appeared in her 1999 collection Close Range: Wyoming Stories․ The story earned the National Magazine Award for Fiction and an O․ Henry Prize in 1998․
1․1 Original Publication in The New Yorker
Annie Proulx’s Brokeback Mountain was first published in The New Yorker on October 13, 1997․ This marked a significant milestone in the story’s journey, as it introduced the poignant tale of Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist to a wide audience․ The story quickly garnered critical acclaim for its raw, emotional depth and its exploration of themes such as forbidden love and societal constraints․ The publication in The New Yorker not only solidified Proulx’s reputation as a masterful storyteller but also set the stage for the story’s future success․ The magazine’s platform provided the narrative with visibility, leading to its adaptation into a celebrated film and further cementing its place in literary history․
The story’s appearance in The New Yorker was a testament to Proulx’s ability to craft compelling, nuanced characters and her unique prose style, which blends lyricism with a stark realism․ The publication remains a landmark moment in the story’s legacy, as it was here that Brokeback Mountain first captured the hearts of readers worldwide․
1․2 Inclusion in Close Range: Wyoming Stories
Annie Proulx’s Brokeback Mountain was included in her 1999 collection of short stories titled Close Range: Wyoming Stories․ This collection showcased Proulx’s mastery of prose and her deep connection to the Wyoming landscape, themes that are central to Brokeback Mountain․ The story was slightly expanded for this publication, offering readers a richer exploration of the complex relationship between Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist․ The collection itself received widespread acclaim, further solidifying Proulx’s reputation as a literary powerhouse․ The inclusion of Brokeback Mountain in Close Range also highlighted the story’s resonance within the broader context of Wyoming’s rural communities and the struggles of its characters․ The collection won the National Book Award, underscoring the significance of Proulx’s work․ This publication marked a pivotal moment in the story’s journey, as it reached a broader audience and cemented its place in contemporary literature․ The story’s availability in Close Range has made it accessible to readers worldwide, including in PDF formats, ensuring its enduring legacy․
Main Characters in the Story
Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist are the central figures in Brokeback Mountain․ Ennis, a reserved and rugged cowboy, and Jack, more open and charismatic, form a complex bond that defines the narrative․ Their relationship evolves over decades, shaping their lives irrevocably․
2․1 Ennis Del Mar
Ennis Del Mar is one of the central characters in Annie Proulx’s Brokeback Mountain, portrayed as a taciturn and rugged cowboy deeply shaped by his harsh upbringing and societal expectations․ His reserved nature stems from a childhood marked by poverty and emotional neglect, leaving him with a profound inability to articulate his emotions․ Ennis’s relationship with Jack Twist begins as a summer job herding sheep on Brokeback Mountain in 1963, evolving into a complex and intimate bond that spans decades․ Despite his toughness, Ennis struggles with his sexual identity, unable to reconcile his feelings for Jack with the rigid masculinity expected of him․ His engagement and eventual marriage to Alma Beers further complicate his internal conflict, as he tries to conform to traditional norms while secretly maintaining a connection with Jack․ Ennis’s inability to express his true self leads to a life of quiet repression and unfulfilled longing, making him a tragic figure in the story․ His character underscores the devastating consequences of societal expectations and unspoken desires․
2․2 Jack Twist
Jack Twist, the other central character in Annie Proulx’s Brokeback Mountain, is depicted as a more open and emotionally expressive counterpart to Ennis Del Mar․ Unlike Ennis, Jack exhibits a certain level of comfort with his sexuality, though he still grapples with the societal norms that forbid their relationship․ Jack’s background is marked by a restless and nomadic lifestyle, working various jobs and participating in rodeos, which reflects his search for identity and acceptance․ His connection with Ennis begins during their summer on Brokeback Mountain in 1963, where their isolation fosters an unexpected intimacy․ Jack’s desire for a more permanent and open relationship with Ennis is evident throughout the story, as he often initiates their reunions and expresses his feelings more freely․ Despite his efforts, Jack is met with resistance from Ennis, who is consumed by fear and guilt․ Jack’s tragic death serves as a turning point for Ennis, forcing him to confront the sacrifices and losses resulting from their secretive and intermittent bond․ Jack’s character embodies the longing for love and connection in a world that refuses to accept it, making him a poignant figure in the narrative․
Key Themes Explored in the Story
The story delves into themes of forbidden love, sexual identity, and societal expectations․ It explores the internal and emotional conflicts faced by the characters due to their secretive relationship, highlighting isolation, longing, and the passage of time, ultimately leading to tragedy․
3․1 The Struggle with Sexual Identity
The story profoundly explores the internal conflict and repression of sexual identity through its protagonists, Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist․ Both men, rooted in traditional, rural Wyoming culture, grapple with their forbidden attraction․ Their relationship begins with a physical encounter but evolves into a deep emotional bond, yet they never openly acknowledge or accept their feelings due to societal norms and personal fears․ Ennis, in particular, struggles with his identity, avoiding intimacy and maintaining a stoic exterior to mask his true emotions․ Jack, more open yet equally conflicted, yearns for a life where their love can exist freely․ The narrative highlights the tragic consequences of internalized homophobia and the inability to reconcile their desires with the expectations of their environment․ Their marriages to women and attempts to lead conventional lives further complicate their internal turmoil, leading to a lifetime of unspoken regret and longing․ This theme underscores the devastating impact of societal pressures on individual identity and happiness, making their story a poignant reflection of suppressed love and unfulfilled potential․
3․2 The Impact of Societal Expectations
Societal expectations play a pivotal role in shaping the lives of Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist, creating a rigid framework that forces them to conceal their true selves․ The traditional, rural Wyoming community they inhabit enforces strict norms of masculinity and heterosexuality, leaving no room for deviation․ Both men internalize these expectations, believing that their relationship is unacceptable and must remain hidden․ The pressure to conform leads Ennis to marry Alma Beers and Jack to marry Lureen Newsome, attempting to live conventional lives․ However, these marriages prove unfulfilling, as neither man can escape the pull of their true desires․ The societal norms not only dictate their actions but also fuel their self-loathing and internalized homophobia․ This stifling environment prevents them from openly expressing their love, leading to a lifetime of regret and isolation․ The story vividly illustrates how societal expectations can distort individual lives, forcing people into roles that deny their authentic selves, resulting in a cycle of repression and sorrow․