Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Why Jack Quit Ennis
ruthlesslyunsentimental:
--- Quote from: JT on July 12, 2006, 10:35:41 am ---Wow!, ruthlesslyunsentimental, thank you for posting this. It is so true. Remember that old saying about if you love someone, you have to let them go free and if they come back, they're yours and if not, they never were? I think Jack was doing just that. It showed the depth of Jack's love for Ennis, not just about sex and fun, but he wanted to be part of Ennis but didn't want to hurt Ennis either. So for that, he let him go. If poor Jack lived long enough, he would know that Ennis came back, twice, the "Pine creek letter" and at the end when Ennis brought the two shirts back to his trailer. If Ennis never loved Jack, I don't think he would bring the shirts back. That there to me is true love, that was being torn up be fear.
--- End quote ---
Wow! Right back at'cha! You've captured another layer of this that is wonderful. I believe Jack showed his greatest love for Ennis by not holding him captive to inner conflicts. And I've always believed that Ennis showed his love most with the shirts. But you've said it so well. Thanks!
ruthlesslyunsentimental:
Wow! To you too, Jeff Wrangler. You’ve captured even more of it than I.
--- Quote ---My own understanding grew more out of trying to make sense of the "ranch neighbor from Texas" business that John Twist tells Ennis about. I had concluded that Jack had finally concluded that, as much as he loved Ennis, Ennis was never going to change, and it was time Jack himself moved on. My understanding is that human motivation is rarely monolithic, so I'm seeing your perception of what Jack does for Ennis as the companion to my own earlier conclusion.
--- End quote ---
As I said before, I never have a problem with two (or more) “takes” on the same thing at the same time. There’s always a lot going on with our boys. That’s why this film is a masterpiece.
--- Quote ---"They"--homophobes--just like Ennis--think it's all about sex. And it isn't. And Ennis comes to understand that only when it's too late for him and Jack.
--- End quote ---
Very true.
I should add a bit of explanation here for future readers of this thread. I want to make it clear that I believe that Ennis always loved Jack – I believe he fell in love with Jack in the SNIT when he melted away from all of his fears and loneliness into Jack’s arms of comfort. The distinction I make about Ennis’ love is that because of the destructive effects of his internalized homophobia, he was not able to come to grips with it and call it “love” lest he be “queer” and, in a really screwed up way, deserving of death.
Thanks again!
jpwagoneer1964:
--- Quote from: ruthlesslyunsentimental on July 12, 2006, 02:59:21 pm ---
When I think of Ennis’ growing fears and paranoia and Jack’s growing disillusionment, all wrapped up in the love they obviously have for each other, the whole final lake scene makes total sense to me. Although I wish it wouldn’t have been necessary, it was. Like everyone else, I would love to think that had Jack lived Ennis would have come around. But I have to be honest – it’s just too big a leap. A whole lifetime of fears, paranoia, self-doubt, self-loathing all overcome? Just for a happy ending? I dunno.
Wanna know what I do? I’ve always believed that the dozy embrace flashback scene shows us the moment that Jack actually truly realized that he had fallen in love with Ennis – as opposed to infatuation, puppy love, etc. And, I’ve always felt that the dozy embrace happened just before Ennis rode off to spend the night in the pup tent, waking to the snow the next morning.
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You essay does make me feel much better about the reason Jack would quit Ennis, because he loved him that much and wanted the best for him. If there was commucation between Jack and Ennis between the lake and Jack death about ending the relationship and giving Ennis the choice, the film tells us that his answer was affirmitive,(with the postcard) to at least keep on as before and maybe with less responsabilities in his future, moving foward with Jack. I have always felt that a big reason that Ennis would not and should not have a life with Jack in his younger years his becuse he does not want to leave his girls or Alma and does not want Jack to do the same.
I agree with you about the timing of the dosy embrace. I do think Jack fell in love with Ennis before either of the tent scenes.
ednbarby:
Darn you, Ruthlessly, you just made me cry at my desk with these words:
--- Quote ---Jack realizes that if Jack truly loves Ennis with all of his heart, then Jack must let Ennis be. Jack must be removed from the picture of Ennis’ life so that Ennis will no longer be tormented by something that he is simply not equipped to deal with
--- End quote ---
I've always thought Jack "quit" Ennis that day, too, in the same sense as you've described it. Not because he (Jack) can't stand it anymore, but because he realizes Ennis can't, and that deals his heart the final blow.
I don't think Jack would have seen Ennis again. Had he not been killed, I think he would have sent a postcard back in answer to Ennis' last one saying something along the lines of "Sorry, Friend, I can't make it in November after all" and would have left it at that. If Ennis wanted to know why, let him call him or come looking for him and he'd tell him. But I think he'd think it'd hurt both of them too much to see each other again only to officially break up. I don't see him not doing it face to face as cowardly - I see it as being just as unselfish as deciding to let him be in the first place. The selfish thing would be to see him again and try to force yet another confrontation and make an ultimatum.
Aw, Jack. You really were too damn special to be buried in the family plot. Or anywhere else for that matter.
Daphne7661:
--- Quote from: ednbarby on July 12, 2006, 03:25:04 pm ---Aw, Jack. You really were too damn special to be buried in the family plot. Or anywhere else for that matter.
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Oh No ... I'm crying AGAIN!!!!
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