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

TOTW 08/09: What would you say to Jack?

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Brown Eyes:

--- Quote from: Buffymon on September 19, 2009, 07:38:52 am --- But then, another part of my brain says that it would have been impossible either way. I don´t know. I guess the conflict in my thinking is that "open space" between what I wish to happen and what I think is possible.

--- End quote ---

Hey Bud!  I think this is a really interesting point to think about.  I think you're right that what we, as Brokies, wish would have/ could have happened might be different from what was possible within the narrative universe of BBM.  Sometimes I think what I wish could have happened really does flavor my interpretations a lot.

ifyoucantfixit:



         Being a responsible adult, is what you have to do, in order to take care of those you love, and those
who love and care about you.  That includes everyone, from your mom to your wife and son, to Ennis.
You have to look at the whole picture.  You can never be responsible as long as you are leaving any of these
people out of the picture.
         You should be honest, in order to teach your son to be honest.  You can not make Ennis do what is right
except by leading.  He is too afraid to do it any other way.  You have to be honest and fair to your wife.  She should
have had the ability to seek and find a new husband.  She was a good enough woman to have had a wonderful
man that would have loved and cared for her the way she deserved.  You could never be happy much less, even
partially satisfied, with anyone like a Mexican Whore, (lack of understanding and connection)  plus poor Randall,
he didnt deserve to be treated by you, the way Ennis treated you.   You should have taken stock in what you
were really getting from Ennis.  Given him an ultimatum, and see if that might have woken him up to his reality.

Monika:

--- Quote from: atz75 on September 19, 2009, 10:58:24 pm --- Sometimes I think what I wish could have happened really does flavor my interpretations a lot.



--- End quote ---
Hi Amanda! Yes, the same goes for me. But I often think about what Annie Proulx has said as well - that Brokeback ultimately is a story about a homophobic society. With that in mind, I can't imagine a happy ending because it would have changed the essence of the story. Because of that I also find it very hard to offer Jack advice on what to do, because for the story to maintain its essence, its message, he has to possess the qualities he has. He has to commit the errors that he does. If he would suddenly have left his wife and moved to Wyoming (as I often wish he had), the story would change too much and I doubt it would have had the same emotional impact on us. It somehow comes back to the fact that even though I wish they could have found a way to live together, I also know, that if they had, it would have been a completely different movie.

optom3:
I would say to Jack, Ennis loves you. That last night they spend together, Ennis wraps his arm round Jack even in sleep. To me that is love, he protects him and holds him close even while he is fast asleep and after 20 years have passed. He may not express it verbally, but that single scene demonstrates it, he is bound to Jack, deep in his subconscious. So there are no wild protestations of love, but I would trade all the words for that one single gesture which speaks volumes.
We cannot all throw off all the shackles that bind us so tight, convention, fear and so many more, but to hold to us that is dear while we are not even aware of it is the strongest indication of where our hearts lie.

Marina:
I don't know, I think that Jack on some level did realize Ennis loved him, that's what made him stay with Ennis for so long, but I just don't think it was enough food for Jack's soul over the span of 20 years - so few gestures (although when Ennis made them, they were quite profound), Ennis' inertia and his keeping Jack at arm's length generally.  I would need more than a gesture while I'm asleep and unaware of it, and I think Jack needed more, some words, a stand taken, something.

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