The challenge to the American myth of romantic love and the countertype of the cowboy’s masculinity presented in Brokeback Mountain

Oleh :
Atinia Hidayah - C1304006 - Fak. Sastra dan Seni Rupa

ABSTRACT 2008. This research is aimed firstly, to explain the aspects that challenge the traditional myth of romantic love as reflected in Brokeback Mountain. Secondly, to describe the countertype of American “cowboy” as reflected in the “cowboy” figure in the movie. This research applies descriptive qualitative research. The main source of the data in this research is a film entitled Brokeback Mountain directed by Ang Lee and was released in 2005 by Focus Features LLC and River Road entertainment, in this case using the form of Digital Video Disc (DVD). The main data of this research are the dialogues and scenes of Brokeback Mountain that support the problem statements. The secondary data consist of ideas, thoughts, and opinions taken from internet websites, film criticism, articles, journals, books, and all information which are relevant and valuable to the subject of the research. An interdisciplinary study is also required in conducting this research since it is accomplished within the American studies frame work. Hence, this research involves popular culture theory, semiotic film theory, sociological approach, and historical background. After conducting the research, some conclusions can be drawn, firstly concerning the challenge to the traditional myth of Romantic Love, the same-sex relationship between Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhall) in Brokeback Mountain is a significant aspect that challenges the Americans perspective about heterosexual relationship. According to Nachbar and Lause, Puritan era has established American mindset concerning the myth of Romantic Love that involves the relationship between man and woman, on the contrary this movie is about the relationship between man and man. This homosexual relationship challenges the heterosexual relationship which has been included in the traditional myth of Romantic Love. Secondly, the cowboys’ homosexuality between Ennis and Jack is proved countered the masculinity of cowboy. Cowboy’s masculinity is depicted by both of his physical appearance and his tough life, but the love story between these homosexual cowboys that is involving the love romance attitude and the femininity feeling contradict the masculinity of cowboy.