Brokeback
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Broke back Mountain is clearly written during a time when discrimination is an even bigger issue than it is now. The two men in this story meet each other as ranch hands, and fall in love with one another. They do not understand why or how; they just know they love each other. They do not consider themselves “gay,” because it is simply unacceptable during this time; they cannot fathom being gay men because of what society teaches them. Throughout the story the two men constantly struggle with the fact that they simply cannot be together. They talk about it and they desire to be together, but they know, in their society, it simply is not an option. They get married to women, they have sex with their wives, and they have babies, because it is all they know to do. They know there is no possible way they could ever be accepted as homosexuals, and again, they cannot even bring themselves to label themselves as being gay.
It is also made clear through the reaction of Enniss wife and the two mens former employer that homosexuality is viewed as “repulsive” and “evil.” Enniss wife yells at him when she realizes what had been going one and calls Jack, “Jack Nasty.” She is disgusted and ashamed that Ennis had sexual relations with Jack. And their former Employer also makes snide comments to Jack about his relationship with Ennis, and tells them not to come back to Brokeback Mountain.
The two men in this story are expected to be macho, sexually straight, cowboys. Society is inflexible, and they have no choice but to follow the rules- Ennis and Jack are forced to live a lie because they have no other options. Though it frustrates them, they have to play the hand they are dealt and go on with their “normal/moral” lives with a wife and children.