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

what possessed Jack to take that shirt in the first place?

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Mikaela:
I don't think I've got much to add to what Katherine and Stardboardlight have said in the previous posts concerning the "Sometimes I miss you so bad" line. Ennis knows how Jack feels, though jack saying it out loud like that is heartbreaking.  :'( I am absolutely certain that Ennis surely feels the same - but as always when emotions are running strong and close to the surface, Ennis turns into his infuriatingly introvert, silent self. His emotions are so strong, he responds by default - going as blank as possible on the surface. Also, he *has* to be thinking with dread about the disappointment he'll have to give Jack the next day..... not only having to say that he's cancelling August - but also what that cancellation will mean in terms of loss and longing for the both of them. If he admits out loud that he feels the same, how will he *ever* manage to cancel August the very next day?

But......is it only me imagining seeing the glint of wetness in Ennis's eyes there?

However that is, we know that Ennis always expresses his feelings through actions where he can't find the words. I therefore find it comforting that the next scene we get is the two of them asleep in the tent, Ennis's arm holding Jack close. I imagine Ennis has found a way to respond to Jack to show what he feels, since he can't find the words.

serious crayons:

--- Quote from: Mikaela on June 07, 2006, 01:22:48 pm ---However that is, we know that Ennis always expresses his feelings through actions where he can't find the words. I therefore find it comforting that the next scene we get is the two of them asleep in the tent, Ennis's arm holding Jack close. I imagine Ennis has found a way to respond to Jack to show what he feels, since he can't find the words.

--- End quote ---

Well said, Mikaela, both about Ennis' tendency to shut down when he gets emotional, and the thought above. I've always found that scene extremely comforting. Much more so, in fact, than the dozy embrace, which always makes me really sad.

Penthesilea:
Ennis's "I can't stand this anymore" (the next day) mirrors Jack's "I hardly can stand it". Though it is evolved by the argument, it can be seen as an direct answer. And Ennis even tops Jack's statement.

I have the feeling Ennis did in fact respond to Jack's avowal, but it's not shown to us. The scene is cut at this point (if memory servres), and next we see is both of them sleeping in the tent, Ennis cuddled around Jack. There must have been some loving interaction before (and I hope and think, love-making too). As so often, we don't see what happens in between. We have to fill in the blanks ourselves. And I believe Ang Lee let out Ennis reaction (from the story) consiously for that purpose: not spoon-feeding the audience.


Straboarlight's comment is a good one, too:

--- Quote ---There are times when you get overwhelmed with an emotion, and you just get paralyzed with not knowing what to say or how to react.
--- End quote ---

Being not much of an Ennis myself, I wouldn't have thought of this. But it makes sense.

silkncense:
Mikaela -

My thoughts exactly & perfectly stated.

Brown Eyes:
Wow, this is a really good discussion... I think you've all made great points.  I agree with both of you, Penthesilea and starboardlight, about Ennis and non-verbal communication and/ or Ennis's continued feeling of being somewhat paralyzed when it comes to direct (and mostly verbal) expressions of affection.  Mikaela, I've always seen a twinkle in Ennis's eye during this conversation.  It starts out as a happy twinkle (laughing a bit at the earlier conversation and sort of enjoying gazing at Jack a bit) and ends in a much more melancholy way... maybe the twinkle does turn to an almost-tear.  Ennis certainly seems to tear-up easily in many scenes.  I'm sure he's a bit blown away by Jack's statement.  Yes, I think he feels guilt and worry about having to break his news the next day, but I also think it must feel really amazing to him to hear that much devotion explicitly stated.  I think the camera does cut away before we see him fully absorb Jack's statement.  And, yup, I think his main response must be physical in the tent (although it's an ominous tent encounter since there's no moon).

And, more on JakeTwist's question (welcome by the way!)... I think Ennis doesn't "have the language" to articulate what he feels about Jack, but I think the emotion of love is really there for him (probably at least from the 2nd tent scene on).  I don't really believe Ennis thinks that Jack is just a "friend with benefits" for 20 years.  No, Ennis believes that he's structured his life so that he can facilitate the sporadic meetings with Jack.  20 years is just too long a time to be in complete denial about such a powerful situation.  I think also that by the second to last camping trip when Ennis asks Jack if he thinks people "know" and wonders if Jack's relationship with Lureen is "normal" he's already given up on the idea that he's not "queer."  These questions are almost outright admissions that he feels and knows what his situation is.

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