Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
"I was supposed to control the weather"... Jack and the Wind
ednbarby:
--- Quote from: latjoreme on June 22, 2006, 12:03:16 am ---And speaking of that postcard scene -- this may not be the thread for it, but what the hell -- I'm always amazed at how well Ennis keeps his composure when Alma says that. Just calmly finishes washing his hands, finally says "Maybe ... why?" Is he afraid to reveal anything untoward? Afraid to get his hopes up? At the very least, I think it's interesting that when telling Alma about his summer on Brokeback he obviously not only didn't give details but never even mentioned the name of the guy he worked with. What are your thoughts?
--- End quote ---
That struck me, too. And I have a thought on why that is based on my own experience. That "true" love I've mentioned on the PT board ultimately married someone else, too. The first time I met her was when he brought her to my house (surprisingly, actually) for a party I was having after I was married. At this point, they were just dating seriously. She couldn't have been nicer and I couldn't help but like her. The next time I came across them at a mutual friends' party, she was as cold as ice. And he was, too. I thought, "What the hell? Did I say or do something to offend them last time?" I couldn't for the life of me think of what that could have been - they left my house that night giving me a very warm good-bye and seemed to have had a really nice time. I noticed over the next few months that they had broken up for a little while. Came to find out from a mutual friend of hers that the reason for all that was that he had neglected to mention to her that he and I had ever dated, and we dated for about a year quite exclusively only about two years prior to his starting to see her. The first time he had ever mentioned my name to her was when I had that party. I guess a little while after that, that mutual friend said something to her like, "I'm surprised you guys went to that party - what with their history and all." And all hell broke loose.
So Ennis didn't ever mention his name because - yeah - I think he thought that in doing that, he'd betray something in himself and Alma would realize there was more there than met the eye. Not consciously. And I think there's an element, too, of not wanting to share that time with him on the mountain with anyone else - of just sliding it a panel forward at a time to stoke his days.
Funny thing with my story - I did tell Ed about his and my history. Not first thing, but once we were comfortably in our own groove and sharing everything. They had been a couple for several months before this debacle transpired. I've also come to find out that he tells everyone I broke up with him, when that couldn't be further from the truth in my mind. Does he really see it that way?
Sigh. Look at you all, see the love there that's sleeping...
Front-Ranger:
Let's see, earth related things would be found in Jack's domain. One that I can think of off the top of my head is the big tractor that is used for earth moving, and other farm equipment that are the four-wheeled versions of four-footed animals. Others? I'm sure they are there!!
Front-Ranger:
Okay, two other Ennis-related things that are in Jack's domain... in the hallway where Jack seems to spend half his time there is a drawing or photo of a horse. Also prominently featured are closets, which seem to take up half the room.
Brown Eyes:
Lee these are really good observations! I really like the tractor idea. It's interesting that Jack becomes a relatively wealthy man due to his skill at selling machines that move the earth (as you say). Lureen says that he's the best and only combine salesman they have. So, Jack has some skills when it comes to dealing with the earth, ie. Ennis.
;)
I'll have to think more about other examples of Ennis's symbols in Jack's "domain" (other than white hats). It's definitely a good idea to flip the situation around here a bit.
Front-Ranger:
'Nother thing. In the corner of Jack and Lureen's room is a clothespole, and Ennis was described as "lean as a clothespole."
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