Social-Psychological Principles and Brokeback Mountain Movie



Social-Psychological Principles and Brokeback Mountain Movie

Introduction

Apart from being a strong outlet of entertainment, movies also possess the quality of relaying strong social messages as well as exemplify different portrayals of human social behavior. This assignment discusses three different social-psychological principles that appear in the 2005 Oscars nominated movie 'Brokeback Mountain' directed by Ang Lee. These would be discussed in the manner that first the relevant scene would be highlighted, after which the associated social-psychological principle would be described. This would then be followed by a discussion of how the highlighted scene best fits or does not fit with the stated description of the stated principle. These are discussed along with a brief plot overview of the movie in the next section of this paper.

Discussion

Plot Overview

This movie highlights the tumultuous love affair between two cowboys Ennis and Jack, played by famed actors Heath Ledger (late) and Jake Gyllenhaal, which takes place on the remote place called Brokeback Mountain in Wyoming in the 1960's. The film depicts the hardships and struggles faced by the lead characters that despite loving each other cannot live with their true identities in the conservative society (Lee & Proulx, 2005). Unlike Jack, Ennis is more reluctant of admitting his feelings of being gay and categorically denies of being one through his words and actions, even after having a sexual encounter with Jack. Both men fell in love when they are nineteen years old and have a job tending sheep on the mountainside. Ennis is a shy, guarded man of few words, whereas Jack is depicted to be more an extrovert and is into rodeo riding. After their brief affair at Brokeback Mountain, both men go their separate ways, marry two attractive women and have children. After a gap of four years both Ennis and Jack reunite at Ennis home, where his wife sees them embracing each other. Shell-shocked and in disbelief this incident results in failed marriage for Ennis. After a gap of few years, Ennis finds out that Jack has died, however, the circumstances that Jack's wife shares with Ennis subtly suggests that she was aware that her husband was gay. While, Ennis visions that Jack was brutally murdered by homophobic men of his town.

Principle 1: Cognitive Dissonance

Scene Depiction

The ideal scene depicting this principle in the movie is when Ennis and Jack first reunite after four years back on Brokeback Mountain, where Jack suggests to Ennis that they both could get a ranch in a similar remote region and settle down together. To which, Ennis says that if they both get seen by others at a wrong time and a wrong place, it would mean death for both of them. Furthermore, Ennis also highlights that it's alright for them to meet now and then in a remote place like Brokeback, but elsewhere they cannot have any future. To which, Jack expresses his frustration at this form of arrangement.

Principle Depiction

According to Cherry (n.d.) the difference or conflict between people's past and current ...