Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Was Mexico all about revenge or about need?
Jeff Wrangler:
--- Quote from: nakymaton on August 29, 2006, 01:59:17 pm ---But there's something else that intrigues me about this thread. Several people have mentioned anger and/or revenge as playing a part in Jack's reason for going to Mexico... and all of those people have been women. Why? Is this part of the female psyche that I don't understand (and I'm a woman, too, but this surprises me)?
--- End quote ---
Actually, although I didn't state it explicitly, when I wrote that Jack's reaction in running off to Mexico reminded me of a little kid who hadn't gotten his way, I meant to imply some involvement of anger in his action (think: tantrum).
VLN_BBMFAN:
I think tantrum is a not exactly inaccurate, but is a bit oversimplifed. This is not the first time Jack has heard the word 'NO' from Ennis, but this is the first time that it wasn't complicated by the 'Ennis has a wife and family that depend on him' delusion. There would have had no doubts that Lureen/Bobby would have been well taken care of if Jack left, but there was no such family/monetary safety net for Ennis to know would catch Alma/his girls. That would have been enough to sustain Jack through the years -- Ennis was stuck and he couldn't just abandon his responsibilities, especially to his girls. When Ennis turns Jack away after the divorce, Jack can no longer deny the real truth -- Ennis isn't going to be with him no matter what. Jack was devastated, not like he couldn't have an ice creme bar before dinner, but like his whole world had just been yanked out from under him. I believe that anger was what got him to Mexico, but once he was there, the man who walked down that alley did not look anything but destroyed and desperate.
Shakesthecoffecan:
I think it was a bit of both, and a bit of self medicating too, he needed the realease of being with another man and if he couldn't be with Ennis he did what he could. He couldn't get by on a couple of high altitude fucks every year, he had a need and he wanted Ennis to satisfy it.
Jeff Wrangler:
--- Quote from: VLN_BBMFAN on August 29, 2006, 03:46:51 pm ---I think tantrum is a not exactly inaccurate, but is a bit oversimplifed. This is not the first time Jack has heard the word 'NO' from Ennis, but this is the first time that it wasn't complicated by the 'Ennis has a wife and family that depend on him' delusion. There would have had no doubts that Lureen/Bobby would have been well taken care of if Jack left, but there was no such family/monetary safety net for Ennis to know would catch Alma/his girls. That would have been enough to sustain Jack through the years -- Ennis was stuck and he couldn't just abandon his responsibilities, especially to his girls. When Ennis turns Jack away after the divorce, Jack can no longer deny the real truth -- Ennis isn't going to be with him no matter what. Jack was devastated, not like he couldn't have an ice creme bar before dinner, but like his whole world had just been yanked out from under him. I believe that anger was what got him to Mexico, but once he was there, the man who walked down that alley did not look anything but destroyed and desperate.
--- End quote ---
I agree with what you say about Jack not being able to deny the truth that Ennis wasn't going to change and build a life a with Jack, but I'm not clear on what you're saying about Ennis's family responsibilities. They didn't end with the divorce. Don't forget the child support.
Yes, tantrum is an oversimplification. I was deliberately oversimplifying to emphasize my point.
serious crayons:
--- Quote from: Jeff Wrangler on August 29, 2006, 04:12:23 pm --- Ennis's family responsibilities. They didn't end with the divorce. Don't forget the child support.
--- End quote ---
Ennis' financial responsibilities to his kids wouldn't necessarily preclude his seeing Jack (except at the end, with their plans for August, but that's a particular circumstance). However, living with Jack would mean seriously jeopardizing his relationship with them -- certainly while they were still children, and possibly even beyond.
Back to Jack's motivations for Mexico. I don't think it's revenge, that is, deliberately hurting Ennis (even if Ennis would never find out) to get back at him for hurting Jack. Nor does it seem tantrum-like to me. What it seems more like is a mix of anger, frustration, hearbreak, loneliness, disappointment and desperation. Like, "Well, screw Ennis! I don't need him." Except, of course, he does.
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