The Neglected Victim: Alma and her Agony Saskia Rohde 12th Grade

In the short story, Brokeback Mountain, by Annie Proulx, page 11 describes Alma’s one encounter with Jack. After witnessing her husband kiss another man, she faces them both quietly and uncomfortably, but does not otherwise convey any dramatic emotion and remains surprisingly collected. She attempts to stop Ennis once when she gets money so that he can buy her cigarettes and come home, but Ennis shuts her down before she can even ask. In the movie version by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana, Alma is still quiet and uncomfortable. However, she also speaks with much more emotion than the story implied. At the moment she witnesses the kiss, her mouth opens slightly, her eyes widen, and she begins to shake. Once Jack begins talking about his children, Alma appears to be just as incredulous and heartbroken. She nods furiously and can hardly force words out, but once she realizes they're leaving she walks quickly behind Ennis to catch him and ask him to buy her cigarettes. He cuts her off and she is left standing in the doorway alone, looking after them. Then, after Ennis and Jack’s rendezvous, the movie adds a scene where Ennis returns, only to leave Alma again for a “fishing trip” with Jack. On Ennis’ arrival Alma sits at a table in...