Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum

Was Jack Twist an Adopted Child?

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brokeplex:
It's just speculation on my part but, I wonder if Jack Twist was adopted as a baby by Mr. and Mrs. John Twist? Jack never mentioned this in the dialog, but there is something about the tale of his younger life that makes me wonder if he was adopted. Perhaps the "uncle" Aguirre mentioned who had pneumonia is his biological father? Pure speculation on my part.
Note the scene in the Twist kitchen when Ennis comes to ask about the disposition of Jack's ashes. "He (Ennis) couldn't see much of Jack in either of them...." Maybe something,that for country ranch people of that time, happened that was "shameful" and Jack was the product. The baby Jack ended up with the Twists. That could partially explain why OMT never warmed to his son, "He kept his secrets to himself. Never taught me a thing. Never once come and see me ride." OMT may have been compelled out of some obligation to adopt and raise Jack. But not being his biological father may have resented him in his house.  any thoughts or observations on my speculation?

tampatalon:
The thought of Jack being adopted never occured to me but now that you mention it, maybe. Perhaps the Twist's could not have children so they adopted Jack. Also from what I remember families were a little bigger, 3 to 4 children on the average way back. The Twists being barren or at least OMT shooting blanks would explain why Jack was an only child and perhaps adopted.

TampaTalon ^">

brokeplex:

--- Quote from: tampatalon on November 04, 2007, 05:52:02 pm ---The thought of Jack being adopted never occured to me but now that you mention it, maybe. Perhaps the Twist's could not have children so they adopted Jack. Also from what I remember families were a little bigger, 3 to 4 children on the average way back. The Twists being barren or at least OMT shooting blanks would explain why Jack was an only child and perhaps adopted.

TampaTalon ^">

--- End quote ---
Great point about the "Stud Duck" shooting blanks! I had to chuckle. Another thought occured to me that reinforces the "Adoption" angle for Jack. If Jack was adopted and not raised by his biological parents, then that is another bond of sorts with Ennis. Ennis's parents were killed when he was a child. Ennis wore his losses and his fears of future losses ON HIS SLEEVE! Perhaps Jack subconsiously identified with Ennis's consious sense of loss and alienation. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why the boys bonded so well ,and their "one shot thing" turned into much more than quickies in the woods. Just another speculative thought.

brokeplex:
I remembered something else that points as a clue towards Jacks's origins as an adoptee. In the short story it is mentioned that Jack was circumsized, his father was not. Little boys usually are circumsized if the father is, uncircumsized if the father is not. Family traditions, religious or cultural traditions, etc.

tampatalon:

--- Quote from: brokeplex on November 04, 2007, 10:23:32 pm ---I remembered something else that points as a clue towards Jacks's origins as an adoptee. In the short story it is mentioned that Jack was circumsized, his father was not. Little boys usually are circumsized if the father is, uncircumsized if the father is not. Family traditions, religious or cultural traditions, etc.


--- End quote ---

Sounds reasonable. Its most likely that Jack would have been born on the Twist Ranch if he was not adopted and fer sure OMT would not part with the bucks to have someone come way out to dick-clip Jack. Following that reasoning Jack might have been born in a "big city" like Riverton and where he was clipped prior to adoption. One line does come to my mind which leads me to believe he was adopted and thus OMT resentment of Jack. "He thought he was too goddam special to be buried in the family plot". Maybe it was not his real family plot.

TampaTalon ^">

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