In the story Brokeback Mountain, by Annie Proulx, page 11 describes Alma's only meeting with Jack. After seeing her husband kiss another man, she confronts them both quietly and uncomfortably, but otherwise conveys no dramatic emotion and remains surprisingly collected. She attempts to stop Ennis once when she gets money so he can buy her cigarettes and go home, but Ennis shuts her down before she can even ask. In the film version by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana, Alma is still silent and uncomfortable. However, he also speaks with much more emotion than the story suggested. The moment he witnesses the kiss, his mouth opens slightly, his eyes widen and he begins to tremble. When Jack begins to talk about his children, Alma appears to be equally incredulous and heartbroken. She nods furiously and can barely get the words out, but once she realizes they're about to leave she quickly walks behind Ennis to catch him and ask him to buy her cigarettes. He interrupts her and she stands in the doorway alone, taking care of them. Then, after Ennis and Jack meet, the film adds a scene in which Ennis returns, only to leave Alma again for a “fishing trip” with Jack. When Ennis arrives, Alma sits at a table in her pajamas with her hair disheveled as she wipes away tears. When she hears him she sits down and follows him into the other room; then finds him and Jack leaving again. Ennis walks past Alma and immediately begins packing, while Alma tries to convince him to invite Jack in. She asks Ennis if he might get fired if he leaves, to which he replies that his boss owes him a favor. Then, one of their young daughters runs in and asks Ennis to bring her a fish. Ennis kisses the little girl and hands her to Alma, then turns and kisses Alma briefly before walking out the door, leaving Alma crying with a little girl in her arms. The film shows Jack and Ennis leaving with the sound of Alma's tears playing in the background. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay McMurtry and Ossana's devastating and sympathetic portrayal of Alma establishes Ennis as a controversial and condemnable character once she is abandoned with their two daughters. In contrast, the tale sympathizes strongly with Ennis and his forbidden romance towards his only briefly described family. Although Ennis is the victim most commonly recognized as the main character, the film's focus on Alma's sadness and hardships critiques Ennis' ignorance of his family and interestingly portrays Alma as the clear victim of the relationship. Alma's reactions with short, passive descriptions, causing her pain and loss to be overlooked and quickly forgotten. After Alma sees Jack and Ennis kissing, Ennis returns and introduces her lover to his wife. Proulx writes: “'Of course,' Alma said softly. He had seen what he had seen" (SS 11). Not only is Alma able to respond calmly, but “she had seen what she had seen” implies that she must make peace with the kiss and move on, because she will never be able to forget it. Of course, Alma is not happy, but speaking “quietly” is not a dramatic reaction. Alma's passivity and subtle suggestion to move on mask her pain and sense of loss and do not victimize her in any way. Then, Ennis and Jack begin to have a conversation; meanwhile the only description given of Alma is that his “mouth twitched” (SS 11). The twitch suggests discomfort and anger, but due to the brief description of this passive behavior, it doesn't deserve much sympathy. In the end, Alma takes the money andcalls him: "'Ennis...' said Alma in her unhappy voice, but that didn't slow him down the stairs and he called back 'Alma, do you want some cigarettes, there's some in my pocket and my blue' . shirt in the bedroom'” (SS 11). Alma calls out to Ennis, but she does not run after him or make any physical effort to stop him. There is also “misery” in his voice, but no more than that word is used to describe his emotion. Alma's subdued sadness and lack of movement show that she recognizes and almost accepts her inability to stop her husband, and the bitter toll that the loss of her husband's presence and care should have on her is thus overlooked. Once again, Alma is described as pitifully passive and the reader can instead rejoice in the fact that Jack and Ennis have found each other again after four years. The film and screenplay include many emotional details such as crying and dramatic facial expressions to express Ennis' suffering. it caused Alma to neglect her family and ultimately showed Alma as the victim of the marriage. Once Alma witnesses the kiss, she “takes a step or two away from the front door, pale, struggling, trying to comprehend what she has just witnessed” (SP 47). This description includes dramatic movement and emotion, and lots of it; the words “pale” and “distressed” show a real sense of shock. Michelle Williams expresses surprise and traumatization by widening her eyes and opening her mouth as she begins to tremble slightly. Her breathtaking performance matches the emotional script, but both lead the audience to sympathize more vividly with Alma and her loss, which was not present in the story. This sympathy connects to Ennis' disappointment over his unkind treatment of her and their children, painting Alma as a victim. Alma is also described as “a few years older” (SP 47) and “stone-faced” (SP 47). Aging implies a sad and weathered condition, while her “stone face” depicts anger, which Alma has never expressed so openly in the story. The clear expression of emotions makes the audience more emotional in their favor. Finally, once she realizes that the two are leaving together, Alma actively pursues Ennis to ask him to buy cigarettes so that he will come back to her, but he responds negatively and closes the door in her face, leaving Alma alone in the 'shadow. . The physical action of pursuing Ennis demonstrates a much more passionate love and care for him than is shown in the book, and the outright rejection is tragic. Alma's loneliness and unrequited love emphasized by her expressive longing in her facial expressions and her attempt to bring Ennis home. she makes her a relatable and sympathetic character, while Ennis' harsh treatment of her makes him increasingly disliked. Then, Ennis returns to Alma only to leave again. Alma's sad appearance upon Ennis' arrival deserves sympathy; her disheveled hair and pajamas demonstrate her lack of sleep, and her tears demonstrate the terrible pain Ennis has caused her. When Ennis enters, he passes her without so much as a hello. Alma states, “Your friend might come in, have a cup of coffee…we're not poison or anything” (50). Her attempt to thwart Ennis' rush to gain more time with him shows her caring and sense of loneliness, especially since she is willing to spend time with Jack if it means Ennis will stay. Her strategic "we" could refer to herself and the girls, or to the family as a whole, in which she is obviously included. Reminding Ennis of his family is a subtle way of convincing him to stay, as he has an obligation and a commitment. it's part of their life. Alma even tries to convince him.