Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
Would it have worked? Merged with "Would a SWEET LIFE ever have been possible?"
serious crayons:
I kind of breezed over this in my earlier posts, but the more I think about it the more I realize that the day-to-day homophobia would be really hard for Ennis (and maybe even Jack) to deal with.
We are positing some kind of transformation, I guess, that would enable Ennis to agree to the plan in the first place. But it's hard to imagine him developing a thick enough skin to stand being, as Earl and Rich were, "the joke of town." I think the potential looks, whispers, laughing, harassment, physical abuse (even if it stopped short of horrific violence) or whatever would be hard for anyone to face, day after day, year after year. Let alone someone who's kind of proud and private and shy, like Ennis. Or would he having to constantly beat people up, as with the bikers?
In that respect, they'd be better off in Denver. But there they'd have an employment problem. Ennis could probably get some kind of untrained job, but he wouldn't be happy working off a ranch for very long (judging from his expression in the pavement-spreading scene). Jack, however, could work in sales, and that might be OK for him.
nakymaton:
--- Quote from: latjoreme on September 14, 2006, 12:52:12 pm ---In that respect, they'd be better off in Denver. But there they'd have an employment problem. Ennis could probably get some kind of untrained job, but he wouldn't be happy working off a ranch for very long (judging from his expression in the pavement-spreading scene). Jack, however, could work in sales, and that might be OK for him.
--- End quote ---
City life would be really rough on Ennis, I think. I mean -- he didn't finish high school. He's farsighted enough that he doesn't enjoy reading. And he loves animals -- I mean, what's the third thing he calls "little darling" in the book, besides his daughters and Jack? So no horses, no daughters, construction work, friggin lights and car horns going the whole damn night (oops, I'm projecting a bit here). So I could see Ennis living with Jack in the city (and Jack would totally be working in sales ;D ), and still being in love with Jack, and also being really profoundly sad about the other things he had to give up.
serious crayons:
All things considered, I really think their best bet might have been for Jack to buy a house near Riverton. That way they could be together a lot -- seemingly as "friends," hanging out -- but Ennis could still keep his job, his daughters and hopefully his peace of mind.
Does this sound too spineless or timid of me? In an ideal world, it would be nice if they could boldly assert their right to live and love the way they want to, and hopefully break down some prejudices along the way. But that's a tough way to live, especially for a guy like Ennis. This seems to me the best way to overcome the difficulties mentioned in the posts above while still enjoying a pretty sweet life.
:-\
Front-Ranger:
Hey, I'm in Denver, and I'm in sales 8)!! Jack could commute an hour or so (he's used to commutin) from the Castle Rock area, there are plenty of horse ranches and little cow&calf operations down there! Hey, we could make this work!!
Jeff Wrangler:
--- Quote from: nakymaton on September 14, 2006, 12:59:33 pm ---(and Jack would totally be working in sales ;D )
--- End quote ---
Used cars? ;D
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