Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Why does Ennis....
mvansand76:
--- Quote from: Katie77 on January 13, 2007, 07:12:24 am ---Why does Ennis write to Jack telling him about the divorce, then rejects him when he comes to visit him?
--- End quote ---
Because he wanted to tell his best friend, his only friend about it but never intended to make it sound like an invitation for that sweet life that Jack was always talking about. Or maybe in the back of his mind he did, but when he saw Jack there he freaked out.
Penthesilea:
--- Quote from: Katie77 on January 13, 2007, 07:12:24 am ---Why does Ennis write to Jack telling him about the divorce, then rejects him when he comes to visit him?
--- End quote ---
--- Quote from: mvansand76 on January 13, 2007, 07:14:16 am ---Because he wanted to tell his best friend, his only friend about it but never intended to make it sound like an invitation for that sweet life that Jack was always talking about. Or maybe in the back of his mind he did, but when he saw Jack there he freaked out.
--- End quote ---
I think it's more than only the want to let him know about the divorce, more than just passing on news. Ennis was lonley and desperate, he needed to reach out to the only person he could do so.
A moment of weakness, when he couldn't stand it and let the walls down a bit. But when Jack arrived, he had them up again.
Very crucial moment. The best (only?) chance for that sweet life. If only, if only...
Penthesilea:
--- Quote from: goadra on January 13, 2007, 09:39:38 am ---
--- Quote from: latjoreme on January 12, 2007, 01:51:15 am --- he sees everything his father did and said (with the possible exception of the actual murder, which is unclear), as a legitimate and correct reflection of right and wrong. To Ennis, his dad's opinion reflects the realities of society and the universe. ?
--- End quote ---
The way he says “...he done the job” as if what happened to Earl was a task that had to be done. I’m not saying Ennis views it as such, but I wouldn’t be surprised if his father had phrased it that way.
--- End quote ---
In the book, Ennis goes on: "If he was alive and was to put his head in that door right now you bet he'd go get his tire iron."
He does not 'only' think that his own father killed Earl, but he thinks he [father] would kill him [Ennis], his own son, for having sex with a man. I think this is even worse.
--- Quote ---To Ennis, his dad's opinion reflects the realities of society and the universe.
--- End quote ---
Yes, absolutely.
--- Quote ---he sees everything his father did and said (with the possible exception of the actual murder, which is unclear), as a legitimate and correct reflection of right and wrong
--- End quote ---
I'd say as a logical and natural consequence. But I don't think Ennis reflected much about the moral right or wrong (if it's legitimate) of his father's actions (except the murder). It was just the way the world was to Ennis.
But what about the murder? What did Ennis think about it?
--- Quote ---From goadra:
After Junior asks about living with him, why does Ennis say, “I’m not sayin’ I wouldn’t...”? What does that mean?
--- End quote ---
"I'm not saying I wouldn't... if I could".
...if the circumstances were other
...if you'd bug enough to get me moving my ass and see what is possible.
I would like to live with you, but I can't.
Basically he reassures her that he loves her.
My question is the one from above: But what about the murder? What did Ennis think about it?
serious crayons:
--- Quote from: Penthesilea on January 13, 2007, 10:29:09 am ---My question is the one from above: But what about the murder? What did Ennis think about it?
--- End quote ---
I don't know if there's a really clearcut answer to this, but IMO Ennis did not approve of the murder. I think it scared the bleep out of him, he took it as a personal threat, perhaps he even considered it, as Chrissi said, a logical and natural consequence of Earl's transgression. Ennis definitely doesn't approve of homosexuality. But I don't see Ennis as someone who would get into other people's business or punish them for perceived misdeeds, let alone kill them. His threat to Jack about Mexico notwithstanding -- I don't think he really meant that sincerely. So even if he thought Earl was wrong, I don't think he considered the murder justifiable.
--- Quote from: goadra on January 13, 2007, 09:39:38 am ---Because Cassie has just slapped him with the knowledge that she fell in love with him. He didn’t mean for that to happen. Going against the majority opinion, but...I don’t think this moment is the earth- (Ennis-) shattering realization that Jack fell in love with him.
--- End quote ---
I wonder what the majority DOES think. Personally, I'm more in the "he was realizing something about Jack" (either that Jack loved him or that he loved Jack) camp. Anyone else care to weigh in?
--- Quote ---After Junior asks about living with him, why does Ennis say, “I’m not sayin’ I wouldn’t...”? What does that mean?
--- End quote ---
He means, "I'm not saying I wouldn't love to have you there, under other circumstances." Just like he'd love to live with Jack, under other circumstances.
--- Quote from: Katie77 on January 13, 2007, 07:12:24 am ---Why does Ennis write to Jack telling him about the divorce, then rejects him when he comes to visit him?
--- End quote ---
Partly because he was really upset about the divorce and had no one else to tell. But also, and I really hate to say this again, I think he tells him -- and via postcard -- because it's a device to get Jack to drive 14 hours without notice and surprise him, only to be rejected.
jpwagoneer1964:
--- Quote from: latjoreme on January 13, 2007, 04:53:26 pm --- .
Partly because he was really upset about the divorce and had no one else to tell. But also, and I really hate to say this again, I think he tells him -- and via postcard -- because it's a device to get Jack to drive 14 hours without notice and surprise him, only to be rejected.
--- End quote ---
I don't think ther is ANY way Ennis thought Jack would drive up to see him and expect to move in! He just wanted to share his troubles with his closest friend.
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