Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Who had Control and Used it: Jack or Ennis?
chelseagirl:
I read the ss I've watched the movie countless times, and I can't get over there was streak if ever so lightly played out, was that of control. At first I felt it was Ennis, he could be dominating SOB when he wants. Then I think of Jack, he uses sex, putting the idea of Mexico in Ennis's head.
Like in some, maybe in many relationships there is subtle play for power, and I was wondering if this was the case of Jack and Ennis.
HerrKaiser:
Interesting question and query. I think that one main reason the story is so compelling and gripping is that there is no control by either man. you are right, chelseagirl, that many if not most relationships have a control dynamic to them, and usually they emerge wherein one person controls "their turf" and the other controls "their turf" as well; they split up the controlling and the responsibilities. Such tends to lend itself to reliances that keep people together, forge familly structures and order, and give individuals the self esteem they need/want.
Ennis and Jack on the other hand were more independent, interestingly transparent, and without pretense. Ennis in particular wouldn't know how to control if he had to. In spite of his working around Alma, I would not define that as controlling; he just used near childlike excuses and insensitivieites to go after that which he wanted.
the awe and beauty of Ennis' view of their relationship was essentially unmeasured, pure, and without reins, as he said. Any controlling was on Jacks' part, imo. Ennis was clearly nervous about having to tell jack that he would miss the August visit; Ennis knew Jack would have a fit, which he did. Hence, that Ennis knew Jack was a bit of a brat, Ennis' natural behavior was tempered, hence controlled by Jack somewhat. Had it not been, Ennis would have announced this August change of plans up front, but he held off due to his fear of Jack's reaction.
chelseagirl:
I never thought of in that way, HerrKaiser, I always found Ennis to be most controlling. He determined how the relationship would run, where they were to meet, "out in the middle of nowhere", how many times they should meet. I thought Jack was the more sexually dominate of the two, Ennis just couldn't control himself around Jack, "the thing that comes over us".
When I think of the scene with Ennis changing the dates, he was biting his nail, he knew Jack would be upset, I don't think he was prepared for the outcome of it, Jack hit him with both barrels.
Thanks, your post is great.
RossInIllinois:
There was never a doubt in my mind on this issue. In the beginning, Jack Twist is the aggressor in the story. You can easily see this in the opening sequence and dominating posturing by Twist and of course the Penis ;D touching sequence in the tent. HOWEVER, as in life the table seems to turn in a strange way. Four years later it is Ennis that attacks Jack at the Laundry throwing him against the wall and kissing him. It would also seem at this point the relationship between Jack and Ennis is now in Ennis' controll they have sex when Ennis has the time and mostly on Ennis' terms yadda yadda Hence Ennis and his Penis now has Jack by the "Apples" ;)
delalluvia:
Ennis had control from day one. Jack could initiate all he wanted to, but if Ennis didn't respond Jack had nothing.
As one person one time put it, Ennis had control from the time he said, "I ain't queer." And Jack went along essentially saying "I'm going to play this anyway you want."
And Jack did play along for 20 years. The relationship was always under Ennis' terms.
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