The 'In Character' Blog
 
 

Your Turn: Ennis Del Mar

From Brokeback Mountain by E. Annie Proulx
Movie directed by Ang Lee
Nominated by Truman Adkins

In this classic tragedy, Ennis Del Mar represents the classic American icon, the Cowboy (or in his precise case a sheepherder) who deals with the effects of rural homophobia as best he can. Having been indoctrinated from age 9 that his attraction could get him killed, he struggles in vain to pursue happiness in his life, and sublimate his nature in order to keep safe. The price he pays for this: loneliness and abandonment.

Annie Proulx's character has resonated in the lives of countless people, and the late Heath Ledger's Ennis Del Mar puts a face on generations of men and women traditionally pushed to society's margins.

comments | |

2:54 PM ET | 01-31-2008 | permalink

 

Comments

View all comments »

Add a Comment

Please note that all comments must adhere to the NPR.org discussion rules and terms of use. See also the Community FAQ.

NPR reserves the right to read on the air and/or publish on its Web site or in any medium now known or unknown the e-mails and letters that we receive. We may edit them for clarity or brevity and identify authors by name and location. For additional information, please consult our Terms of Use.

Nothing is more heartbreaking than seening Ennis cry into the shirt when he is at the Twist's house. Ennis epitomizes loneliness and heartbreak. His only moments of true happiness are on Brokeback Mountain. His fear of himself causes him to loose his wife, daughters, and ultimately Jack Twist.
Brokeback Mountain about forbidden love and Ennis pays the ultimate price--his happiness

Sent by TB | 12:07 PM ET | 02-08-2008



   
   
   
null


 
Elizabeth Blair.

Elizabeth Blair

blogger

 
Trey Graham. Photo: Stan Barouh.

Trey Graham

blogger

 
 
 

Who Moves You?

Join the In Character conversation: Tell us about the fictional characters who've told you something about yourself or your world. Your essay may appear here on the blog — or even on the air.

 
 
 

Search 'The 'In Character' Blog'

Search for the word(s):
 
 

What is 'In Character'?

The classic bad girl. The mad scientist. The wise-cracking sidekick. In Character is an NPR series exploring famous American fictional characters, from Atticus Finch to Ugly Betty. What do they say about society? About individual experience? About the comedy and complexity of who we are? Join us, online and on the air, as we ask what makes them tick — and what that means for us.

For more details on this project, read our FAQ and Discussion Guidelines. Or just go ahead and submit your own In Character essay.

 
 

Private Comments

You can contact the In Character team privately if you have comments or questions you do not want posted.

 
 
 

Browse Topics

Services

Programs