Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
TOTW 27/08: Do you think Ennis would have asked Lureen for Jack's ashes?
Mandy21:
--- Quote from: milomorris on October 13, 2008, 11:57:00 pm ---The only explaining that needed to be done was to say that "His father won't honor his wishes, so I will."
The shirts and postcard are material objects.
--- End quote ---
Hi Milo, thanks for bringing up this topic, it's interesting. I like the way you worded the explanation that Lureen could have used, as that had never occurred to me. Are you saying that, as the shovels were being hauled out, to untomb the urn, that she would have just said that, to all around her? I'm not sure about that, and I only question it based on the scene where she's working at her dad's place, doing the books, and the two gentlemen in the room insult her husband, and she doesn't step up to defend him. It boggles me how she doesn't do that; it's almost as if she is embarrassed that he is her husband in the first place. And that happened fairly early on in their marriage, in the scheme of things. Generally, marriages tend to go downhill when one of the partners doesn't respect or stand up for the other partner, would you agree? If so, why would she be willing to stick her neck out and risk public humiliation and questioning and embarrassment, after he was gone and after he died in such a horrific way? What would be the impetus for her to do such a thing, in front of the community that she is now living in alone, raising a child as a single mother, and presumably, knowing her wily ways, trying to find a new husband straight away?
And on the second point above, I believe I said that Ennis never needed MANY material things. Look at his trailer at the end. I've got boxes and boxes and BOXES of momentos from ex-boyfriends or my ex-husband. They're all over my house, to make me feel good when I get sad, or feel insecure, to remind me of old loves. Jack and Ennis's relationship was always a hidden one, we know that. They weren't given the opportunity to demonstrate their love with material gifts to each other. Just a postcard here and there, and finally, the shirts. In Ennis's simple, loving mind and heart, he didn't need an urn of ashes in order to remember.
Katie77:
I just thought of something else as I was reading your post Mandy.
The thought behind Jack wanting his ashes scattered on Brokeback Mountain.
Of course like most people, they request their ashes be scattered somewhere that holds nice memories for them.
The other reason, may have been, that he knew that once Ennis found out about his death, whenever that might have been, he would honour his wishes and that would mean, Ennis would have to go the Twist house to collect the ashes. Maybe he had told his mum, that if anything happened to him, and Ennis came to the house, to make sure she got him to go up to his room.........obviously hoping that he would find the shirts.
The look on Mrs Twist's face, when Ennis came down with the shirts, was not one of surprise, but more of "you found them, good"......and there was no hesitation in her getting a bag so Ennis could take them with him. It seemed to be pre-planned. Like Jack was giving him his own piece of Brokeback Mountain to hang onto.
Artiste:
Merci Katie !
You say brilliantly:
The other reason, may have been, that he knew that once Ennis found out about his death, whenever that might have been, he would honour his wishes and that would mean, Ennis would have to go the Twist house to collect the ashes. Maybe he had told his mum, that if anything happened to him, and Ennis came to the house, to make sure she got him to go up to his room.........obviously hoping that he would find the shirts.
The look on Mrs Twist's face, when Ennis came down with the shirts, was not one of surprise, but more of "you found them, good"......and there was no hesitation in her getting a bag so Ennis could take them with him. It seemed to be pre-planned. Like Jack was giving him his own piece of Brokeback Mountain to hang onto.
..........
Wow Katie, beautifully described!
Au reovir,
hugs!
David In Indy:
I think Ennis probably would ask for Jack's ashes. He asked for Jack's shirt, and Ma Twist said yes and carefully placed the shirt in a bag.
However I don't think Lureen would have allowed it. In my opinion she had a grudge against Ennis. She resented the relationship between Jack and Ennis and I don't think she would want to help Ennis. In other words she would be thinking "you took Jack away from me in life, so I'll keep him away from you after his death". Something like that. I know many others here feel differently about it, but I just can't see Lureen doing it.
Mandy21:
Ooh, that's an interesting statement, David, about Lureen having a grudge against Ennis. That actually raises an entirely different conversation. Wow... We listen to her in the blue parka conversation, and then we hear her at the end, after Jack's death. It's interesting that you think Lureen was clever/smart/perceptive enough to know that Ennis was interfering/begrudging her the idyllic life she was looking for in her dreams. I just really don't believe that Lureen ever picked up on the clues of Jack's other life.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version