Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Black Hats, White Hats
Penthesilea:
--- Quote from: mouk on January 17, 2007, 11:28:14 am ---Penthesilea, Latjoreme, hi! Thanks for the welcome, I am enjoing this thread.
I have always been of the opinion that by that time Ennis was ready for some change. Probably going somewhere metaphorically rather than geographically for the time being (eg giving more of his time to Jack), but who knows, perhaps he was finally starting to give more consideration to that cow and calf operation?
--- End quote ---
I know I'm going far, but I'm one of those who are sure Ennis was coming around, respectively had been coming around if Jack hadn't died. And I'm sure he at least gave the Cow&Calf operation some earnest consideration.
--- Quote ---Back to the hats:
the very white hat with Bobby in the tractor and while selling tractors - somebody mentioned, very astutely, that the very white hats were the straight men (Jimbo and his friends, the tractor buyers). In this case, Jack is trying to conform, and to give the image of a straight man. Ennis is just off-white, ie trying desperately to look straight and conform to straight principles and way of life , to convince himself that he is staight really, because he was quite sure that's what he should be; while Jack, more confortable with his sexuality, just lies blatantly to others (very white, not off-white) for convenience and for his own safety but he does not lie to himself (he never gives up on the black hat)
--- End quote ---
Interesting.
--- Quote ---Black hat at the 'You're late' fishin trip. This is a trip when he does not mention anything about living together. He is abiding by the rules that Ennis has set for their relationship, and trying to make the most of what he gets without asking for more. But he arrived before Ennis although he has such a long drive to do, he is VERY keen to see his man and keep him, whatever the conditions.
The Reunion and the After Divorce are scenes where he goes to Ennis with the express intention of arranging a future together - these are almost marriage hats. I don't think he intended to make another attempt during the 'come to Texas' fishin trip, he just happens to mention it because the conversation leads this way. But it is the only other scene apart from Reunion and Divorce when he mentions living together, and he wears a brown hat, so there must be some link. Perhaps to show that living with Ennis was always on his mind? His answer to Ennis comes out so spontaneously, he was just 'thinkin out loud' ie this was in his mind all the time and just escaped from his mouth.
--- End quote ---
I agree with much of what you've said, but in one thing I disagree: Jack proposing a move to Texas was not a slip. The topic may have come from Ennis' side, not initiated by Jack. But he saw the chance and was determined to use it. Look at his face and his tone, the casual manner was only pretended (when he shrugs while mentioning it). And Ennis knows it. That's (one of the reasons) why he blows up right the next second.
It may have been spontanously, but notwithstanding deliberate.
Missed chance, I'd say. May have been better to take Ennis' concerns more serious instead of using them for his (absolutely legitimate) goal. Jack was trying to take advantage of Ennis' revelation.
jpwagoneer1964:
--- Quote ---Black hat at the 'You're late' fishin trip. This is a trip when he does not mention anything about living together. He is abiding by the rules that Ennis has set for their relationship, and trying to make the most of what he gets without asking for more. But he arrived before Ennis although he has such a long drive to do, he is VERY keen to see his man and keep him, whatever the conditions.
--- End quote ---
Ever notice that its still the middle of the day when Ennis arrives even after Jack said goodby to Lureen and drove for 14 hours? Logisticaly it could be the next day were it not for Jack wearing the same shirt.
Penthesilea:
--- Quote from: jpwagoneer1964 on January 17, 2007, 12:10:16 pm ---
Ever notice that its still the middle of the day when Ennis arrives even after Jack said goodby to Lureen and drove for 14 hours? Logisticaly it could be the next day were it not for Jack wearing the same shirt.
--- End quote ---
Well, the shirt alone doesn't indicate it's the next day. Or is it so uncommon to wear a shirt for more than one day?
jpwagoneer1964:
--- Quote from: Penthesilea on January 17, 2007, 12:17:38 pm ---Well, the shirt alone doesn't indicate it's the next day. Or is it so uncommon to wear a shirt for more than one day?
--- End quote ---
Jack would want to have a clean shirt on for Ennis, as well as Ennis for Jack. Remember Ennis checking his shirts as he packed them for that very same trip?
serious crayons:
--- Quote from: mouk on January 17, 2007, 11:28:14 am ---the very white hat with Bobby in the tractor and while selling tractors - somebody mentioned, very astutely, that the very white hats were the straight men (Jimbo and his friends, the tractor buyers). In this case, Jack is trying to conform, and to give the image of a straight man. Ennis is just off-white, ie trying desperately to look straight and conform to straight principles and way of life , to convince himself that he is staight really, because he was quite sure that's what he should be; while Jack, more confortable with his sexuality, just lies blatantly to others (very white, not off-white) for convenience and for his own safety but he does not lie to himself (he never gives up on the black hat)
--- End quote ---
More good observations, mouk! I hadn't thought or heard about this before.
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