For instance, in order to feel comfortable with himself and with the way things were left with Jack at their last meeting...maybe Ennis needed to believe that his capacity to love Jack was somehow effectively communicated to Jack (eventhough he never told him explicitly). And, maybe he needed to believe that they would have been able to work things out between the two of them had Jack lived. That the last fight really wasn't the end or a moment of giving up for Jack. But, of course Ennis couldn't know these things for sure following Jack's death.
One interpretation I think is possible goes along with my belief that Jack was killed in an accident. So, "There was some open space between ..."
... what he knew: Jack had been killed in an accident
... and what he tried to believe: Jack had been murdered.
Ennis tried to believe Jack was murdered because that would justify his fears and he wouldn't have ruined both their lives for nothing.
Wonderful topic.
I'm going to refer to a comment made by a resident who's name I cannot remember in a thread I cannot find! So, if anyone can remember the author please advise.
I agree with inneedcrayons, but see more to it, but first let me say, I'm so glad this topic is here because it helped me see that the line is about both Jack's Death and Ennis' Love for Jack. It's clear evidence that Ennis loved Jack with his whole mind and body even though he had a conflict about it in his own mind.
I came to this conclusion by looking at the line in context of the paragraph in the book. I had to consider clear indications that is had a lot to do with the way Jack died, but also with the way Ennis felt about Jack. In the paragraph just before, about dreams Ennis had, it reads ... "The spoon handle was the kind that could be used as a tire iron. And he would wake sometimes in grief, sometimes with the old sense of joy and release; the pillow sometimes wet, sometimes the sheets"
Pillow (SWEAT from his Head / Mental State)
Sheets (Love / Emotional State expressed in Sex i.e. sweat from his whole body or maybe wet dreams [release] too.)
So it has a lot to do with death (tire iron) and sex (love) and ultimately, without doubt, it points to his painful mental & emotional conflict over both. He wanted be believe Jack was murdered, but had no actual evidence of that except the fears from childhood that his father had imprinted on his mind. He also wanted to believe that Jack knew he loved him, even though he never said that to Jack. In fact because of his fears, a fuller, richer life with Jack was lost.
Thus we get the other lline "Jack, I swear..." which has become almost a "classic" topic on Bettermost, and I ain't too shy to say so! (smile). Yes, these lines, so close in the book, are very much related though one is a quote of Ennis and the other is narrative from the author.
I hope that helps some.
Rayn
PS: To anyone who has ever dealt with fears of loving someone, the story can have a strong message: If fears stand in your way of loving someone, deal with and overcome them so you can give a full expression of love while you're able, which is pretty obvious, I guess, I thought I'd include it just the same.
I think it could mean different things on different levels. In the story I see it as the contradiction Ennis has, having been indoctrinated by his father that he was not a queer, and the realization he was attracted to Jack. That conflict is that space, he knew being a queer could get you killed, he tried to believe he could sublimate himself, his life, taking low playing jobs, denighing himself the comfort of Jack at his side because he didn't feel he could face up to the reality and responcibility. There is also the conflict he feels as he gets the news, accident or tire iron? He tried to believe, but he will never know for sure. There is also that panel of the dream, that he does not force his attention to.
You ever have an idea in your head and the more you try to describe it you feel it slip away like someone pulling a pillow out from under your head?
For readers and viewers that space is the unanswered questions. Did Jack really leave Ennis? Was it murder or accident? We know how we feel, but we believe we can do better. I think we are always trying to believe something.
all the coulda beens, what ifs, wishes...our minds try to reach a conclusion that we can live with...that makes sense with the facts we do know but can't accept.'
One interpretation I think is possible goes along with my belief that Jack was killed in an accident. So, "There was some open space between ..."
... what he knew: Jack had been killed in an accident
... and what he tried to believe: Jack had been murdered.
Ennis tried to believe Jack was murdered because that would justify his fears and he wouldn't have ruined both their lives for nothing.
This is my opinion as well.
Beautiful pic, Chrissi! At first I thought it was a screencap, from the view out the trailer window in the last scene of the movie.
One interpretation I think is possible goes along with my belief that Jack was killed in an accident. So, "There was some open space between ..."
... what he knew: Jack had been killed in an accident
... and what he tried to believe: Jack had been murdered.
Ennis tried to believe Jack was murdered because that would justify his fears and he wouldn't have ruined both their lives for nothing.
'
There's some open space for us, too.
Del, you and I are on an agreement roll lately! ;D
I'm sure some topic will come up soon so we can lock horns again. ;)
Beautiful pic, Chrissi! At first I thought it was a screencap, from the view out the trailer window in the last scene of the movie.
So did I!!! That scene is one of the most symbolic ones in the movie to me. This was the scene which always gave me the idea that Jack was out there somewhere......and still alive. I copied your picture Chrissi. I hope you don't mind ;)
That's a simple one.
there was a gap between reality and what he believed to be reality and he knew it