Wow, miniangel, that was very impressive. I wish I was as eloquent as you. I've been struggling with this question for a while. It started while I was in Alberta, reading the story again and then i discovered this thread.
I think they did kiss on Brokeback Mountain. As in kissing being an 'intimate act'. How could they not have kissed, if they had embraced like that? To me the act of that embrace and Ennis humming a lullaby to Jack, is an even more intimate thing to do than kissing. In giving something to Jack that his mama had given him (the comfort of cuddling and humming a lullaby, feeling totally safe and protected), I think Ennis is in effect showing Jack just how much he loves him. The fact that it's Ennis who initiates the embrace makes the whole scene even more powerful and moving to me. That 'pawing the white out of the moon' thing, you know.
And 'that' line in the short story (Ennis wouldn't hold him face to face because he didn't want to see it was Jack he held) has always bugged me. I almost feel as if 'it's not right', it's out of place. I'm not sure if it's Annie Proulx talking here or if this is the way Jack remembers it. If it's the latter, i guess it would make more sense because by the time Jack remember the dozy embrace, he feels very let down by Ennis who not only said no to that cow and calf operation but once again said no to August. This way, i could understand that Jack assumed that that was the reason why Ennis wouldn't hold him face to face.
If it's Annie Proulx stating the situation as it is, i almost feel like it doesn't make sense. (Wow, am I really saying this? I mean, i love the story!!) Thinking about how the whole embrace scene develops, how could Ennis not have held Jack from behind? Jack was dozing off, standing in front of the fire, very still and quiet. Ennis wanted to join him in that quiet moment, he could not have turned Jack around, that would have disturbed him. So the most natural way to hug Jack was from behind, keeping the atmosphere quiet and intimate. How could Ennis not have acknowledged the fact that it was Jack he held? Jack was the only person Ennis would ever hold like this, rocking him like a baby, humming a lullaby.
I understand the reasons behind the statement that Ennis didn’t want to see it was a man that he held. Ennis’ self denial is very real. But not in that scene. The fact that he was able to embrace Jack in this way demonstrates how he really felt, at ease and comfortable… well on Brokeback Mountain anyway. Never enough time, never enough.
Just my two cents...