Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
TOTW 28/08: All them things unsaid...
southendmd:
I think the closest anyone got to I love you was Jack:
"Tell you what...truth is...sometimes I miss you so much I can hardly stand it."
That's pretty darn close, and Ennis is speechless.
mariez:
--- Quote from: southend mavericky md on October 28, 2008, 09:12:43 am ---I think the closest anyone got to I love you was Jack:
"Tell you what...truth is...sometimes I miss you so much I can hardly stand it."
That's pretty darn close, and Ennis is speechless.
--- End quote ---
I think that's pretty darn close, too. Good point. And that line in the movie packs a whole lot more punch than the equivalent line in the story about "he missed Ennis bad enough sometimes to make him whip babies."
I also think Ennis had a "close-to-an-I-love-you" line (although he wouldn't be aware of it) in the movie when he tells Jack "there ain't no reins on this one," and gives that shuddering breath, swallowing hard to fight back his tears. I think Jack realizes this, too, which is why we get that lovely comforting hand gesture on Ennis's cheek. Sigh.
Marie
southendmd:
--- Quote from: Jack 'n Ennis O'Lantern on October 28, 2008, 01:35:54 pm ---I think that's pretty darn close, too. Good point. And that line in the movie packs a whole lot more punch than the equivalent line in the story about "he missed Ennis bad enough sometimes to make him whip babies."
I also think Ennis had a "close-to-an-I-love-you" line (although he wouldn't be aware of it) in the movie when he tells Jack "there ain't no reins on this one," and gives that shuddering breath, swallowing hard to fight back his tears. I think Jack realizes this, too, which is why we get that lovely comforting hand gesture on Ennis's cheek. Sigh.
Marie
--- End quote ---
Right, Marie. Also, just before that, Ennis says his line, "I was just sendin' up a prayer of thanks" is pretty mushy for Ennis. Imagine the rest of that sentence: for finding you again...
Of course, Jack goes "fishing" with his "fur what?" and Ennis has to make a joke out of it.
August7th:
Alma’s five-year silence about the embrace she witnesses between Ennis and Jack is a very important one of “them things unsaid.”
Annie Proux makes clear in the short story that the embrace is only one reason – and apparently not necessarily the most important reason – Alma divorces Ennis. But it obviously preyed on Alma’s mind, as evidenced by the Thanksgiving dinner incident.
Suppose Alma had said something to Ennis earlier, while they were still married. As he packed for one of his “fishing trips,” what if she had said, “I know what you two are doing, and if you go I’m going to tell people about it.” What would have happened? Would Ennis have been scared out of seeing Jack again? Would he have been scared out of Riverton and gone away with Jack? Alma’s silence is necessary to the story for it to play out as it does.
optom3:
--- Quote from: August7th on October 28, 2008, 05:16:09 pm ---Alma’s five-year silence about the embrace she witnesses between Ennis and Jack is a very important one of “them things unsaid.”
Annie Proux makes clear in the short story that the embrace is only one reason – and apparently not necessarily the most important reason – Alma divorces Ennis. But it obviously preyed on Alma’s mind, as evidenced by the Thanksgiving dinner incident.
Suppose Alma had said something to Ennis earlier, while they were still married. As he packed for one of his “fishing trips,” what if she had said, “I know what you two are doing, and if you go I’m going to tell people about it.” What would have happened? Would Ennis have been scared out of seeing Jack again? Would he have been scared out of Riverton and gone away with Jack? Alma’s silence is necessary to the story for it to play out as it does.
--- End quote ---
I agree that in some ways the story pans out the way it does because of Alma leaving some things unsaid.
However I do not think under any circumstances that she would have ever said anything. Partly,I think because she had a major problem actually processing what she saw. The other problem being that the shame she would have felt if it became open knowledge about Ennis would have mentally crippled her.
It would not just affect her, but also her daughters future happiness and I believe stability as well.Particularly within that harsh environment.
It interests me that none of those involved in a relationship,say I love you, not even a childish I love you from the children to their mum or dad. I do not know enough of American culture of that time and place to understand if this was quite common.
Was the deprivation so all pervasive it precludes any ability to express love as in those 3 little words.
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