Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
You shut up about Ennis - this ain't (all) his fault
ruthlesslyunsentimental:
--- Quote from: southendmd on June 27, 2006, 04:20:53 pm ---
Just as Ennis expects abandonment, I think Jack expects rejection.
--- End quote ---
A really excellent observation! He sure does get it doesn't he? He's always marginalized.
BTW -- I don't take either Ennis' or Jack's side in the film. I just take it all for what it's worth. In my post I was just pointing out that Jack failed Ennis at the most crucial moment. I didn't mean to imply that the relationship failures were all Jack's fault. Just that both boys had their hands in the proverbial coffee pot -- and bucket, for that matter. (Although it does seem that Ennis takes most of the heat for it.)
ednbarby:
--- Quote from: ruthlesslyunsentimental on June 27, 2006, 04:55:01 pm ---
A really excellent observation! He sure does get it doesn't he? He's always marginalized.
BTW -- I don't take either Ennis' or Jack's side in the film. I just take it all for what it's worth. In my post I was just pointing out that Jack failed Ennis at the most crucial moment. I didn't mean to imply that the relationship failures were all Jack's fault. Just that both boys had their hands in the proverbial coffee pot -- and bucket, for that matter. (Although it does seem that Ennis takes most of the heat for it.)
--- End quote ---
I hear you, there. I am one of the most militant defenders of Jack around these parts, as you can probably surmise. ;). Your insights here are showing me that *I* have taken his side in all these viewings, though not intentionally. I wonder if those of us who do find ourselves defending him more often and vehemently than we do Ennis do that because we relate more to having been rejected than having been abandoned? (Sort of trying to answer JennyC's question here, via southendmd's excellent observation.)
southendmd:
Great thread! Hey, Ruthlessly, you might consider changing the subject line to entice others.
I agree that it "takes two to two-step". The first time I saw the film, at the parting scene, I was incredulous: "What??!! Ennis, you're just gonna turn around a leave with a 'see you around'? and Jack, you're not going after him??" I just sat there with my mouth open, "What the f--- just happened?"
Not to get too shrinky, but each is set up for this:
Ennis was abandoned by his parents early on in life, and then is (unintentionally) abandoned by his sibling caretakers and becomes alone in the world. I think he expects to be alone, or to be left, and then does the abandoning himself.
In addition, he "abandons" his own feelings.
Jack clearly tells us of the rejection by his father: 'can't please my old man; never taught me a thing, never once came to see me ride.' (Many gay boys can relate to this). Perhaps he becomes tentative around Ennis ('I ain't queer') for fear of rejection.
And, they're both too young and unsure of themselves at this point to dare to try to be together. It's only later that Jack suggests it.
Kelda:
nothing to add except welcome 'ruth' and great post and replies!
serious crayons:
--- Quote from: ruthlesslyunsentimental on June 27, 2006, 04:55:01 pm ---(Although it does seem that Ennis takes most of the heat for it.)
--- End quote ---
Yeah, that's exactly the problem. I would probably take Ennis' side anyway. But my natural empathy for and inclination to defend him is intensified because he's so often blamed for the relationship's failures -- especially unfairly, IMO, given how much Ennis is a product of his environment.
--- Quote from: ednbarby on June 27, 2006, 05:06:47 pm --- I wonder if those of us who do find ourselves defending him more often and vehemently than we do Ennis do that because we relate more to having been rejected than having been abandoned?
--- End quote ---
For some reason, this sort of explation doesn't apply to me. No events in my "real life" would predict a greater empathy for Ennis -- in fact, according to Barb's reasoning I would be a Jackophile. I don't know exactly what causes those preferences. (Well, OK, I do have one theory, but it's too shallow to get into here.)
--- Quote from: southendmd on June 27, 2006, 05:34:05 pm ---Great thread! Hey, Ruthlessly, you might consider changing the subject line to entice others.
--- End quote ---
I'd second this. I was talking up this thread on another thread, and someone replied that he'd read Ruthlessly's post over lunch and liked it a lot, but wouldn't have done so without my recommendation because this guy was thrown off by the subject line.
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