Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Fan Fiction & Poetry
Can't Stand It - by nosunlight
frantic65:
--- Quote from: mariez on November 05, 2007, 01:36:03 pm ---Amanda - Something I forgot in my last post - I believe the farm already had the name when Jack bought it - kind of an ironic, bittersweet sign, I guess!
Yeah, I remember Jack saying something like that now, Chrissi. But it still doesn't make sense to me. Why call Lureen and L.D. if he doesn't want to go back there? What's the point? Just to get Jack in trouble or make him "change his ways?" I don't get it. And I think you make a good point that Bobby is still a child - the impressions he's been given by L.D. are not yet set in stone - he's still at an age when he can be influenced for the better. And as much as I realize that Jack is falling into the trap that many divorced parents do and that it's understandable - he's got all kinds of guilt going, he's still letting Bobby control him. And you just can't let a ten year old control you. Someone has to be in charge and that someone has to be the parent. If Bobby has such serious issues that Jack can't handle - if he's full of that much hate - well, I don't know what to say. He needs some kind of professional help. Besides, doesn't Jack have the fact that L.D. abused Bobby as something he can hold over him? That's how he forced Lureen and L.D. to give him up in the first place. And you're right - sooner or later L.D. and Lureen are going to find out - then what?
Fran - you're right, paranoia isn't logical! But as much as Jack told Ennis that he's not making the fear of losing Bobby more important than Ennis's fear of losing his girls - well, when it comes right down to it - he is. There is no difference. If Jack's fears are valid and understandable - then so were Ennis's all those years. Ennis didn't know how Alma would react if he had moved in with Jack after the divorce- at that point she very well could have made it so that he never saw the girls. And it's this lack of understanding on Jack's part that is bothering me. Ennis will forever have his paranoia held over his head - he's so guilty about what he did to Jack now that he wouldn't dare call Jack on anything he's doing that doesn't make sense. And that's the part that bothers me. There's no equal footing here. But, maybe we'll get to the point where Jack admits this, I don't know...... he doesn't seem to be seeing that right now, but, of course, things change all the time!
Fabienne - Please continue reading. Everyone is right - it's a great story! And I would love to hear your insights!
Marie
--- End quote ---
Here's the perfect example of why these discussions are so terrific. Marie, I didn't even consider what was causing Ennis to kind of accept everything Jack is dishing out to him. Ennis with a case of the guilts is worse than Ennis with his tire iron phobia!! Now tell me this because you've thrown me for a loop here-do you think Jack is aware of this & sort of counting on this guilty conscience to get the best of both worlds until he feels Bobby is old enough to hear the truth??? That would be harsh-maybe its just kind of a subconscious thing. Anybody else out there have thoughts on this point?? Agree/disagree?
Oh yeah-EJ's was already the name when Jack bought the farm-the previous owners were Ed & Janice or something like that & Jack almost choked when he heard the name.
mariez:
--- Quote from: frantic65 on November 05, 2007, 04:08:41 pm ---Here's the perfect example of why these discussions are so terrific. Marie, I didn't even consider what was causing Ennis to kind of accept everything Jack is dishing out to him. Ennis with a case of the guilts is worse than Ennis with his tire iron phobia!! Now tell me this because you've thrown me for a loop here-do you think Jack is aware of this & sort of counting on this guilty conscience to get the best of both worlds until he feels Bobby is old enough to hear the truth??? That would be harsh-maybe its just kind of a subconscious thing. Anybody else out there have thoughts on this point?? Agree/disagree?
--- End quote ---
Hi Fran,
Oh, no! I don't think Jack is consciously trying to lord the past over Ennis's head. Jack could never be that cruel intentionally and he loves Ennis with all his heart, that's obvious !
But Ennis and guilt go hand in hand - and I think Jack should realize that by now! Jack isn't purposely trying to keep Ennis feeling guilty, but as the cliche goes - it is what it is. Jack cut Ennis out of his life because Ennis couldn't let go of his fear and paranoia. That's a fact. And Ennis is going to regret that always. He's made that clear. And when Ennis had that relapse of sorts when he was scared about the girls finding out and their reaction - well, Jack was pretty clear then, too. My way or the highway. He considered that almost unforgivable and we went through the whole thing again - Ennis is stubborn and fearful, yada yada, we even had Alma get in on the act, telling Ennis he didn't deserve Jack! So.... I guess what I'm saying is, if Ennis was so awful for being fearful and paranoid - and no one cut him any slack, why is it different when Jack is the one being paranoid? I just don't buy into the idea that it's different somehow. It isn't. But I don't think Jack realizes this.
So, I don't think Jack is doing this purposely - but I do think he has some subconscious resentment lingering, which I guess is natural. And I think Ennis senses this somehow and that makes him fearful of speaking up (Ennis may not be educated in the traditional way - but he's very smart!) I think they both have to get past those kinds of things if they're going to have a chance. They're not equals right now (and I'm not talking about money). And until they can be equals, there are going to be subconscious resentments on both sides - a very bad thing in any relationship. Just mho, anyway!
Thanks,
Marie
Penthesilea:
--- Quote from: mariez on November 05, 2007, 04:41:22 pm ---Hi Fran,
Oh, no! I don't think Jack is consciously trying to lord the past over Ennis's head. Jack could never be that cruel intentionally and he loves Ennis with all his heart, that's obvious !
But Ennis and guilt go hand in hand - and I think Jack should realize that by now! Jack isn't purposely trying to keep Ennis feeling guilty, but as the cliche goes - it is what it is. Jack cut Ennis out of his life because Ennis couldn't let go of his fear and paranoia. That's a fact. And Ennis is going to regret that always. He's made that clear. And when Ennis had that relapse of sorts when he was scared about the girls finding out and their reaction - well, Jack was pretty clear then, too. My way or the highway. He considered that almost unforgivable and we went through the whole thing again - Ennis is stubborn and fearful, yada yada, we even had Alma get in on the act, telling Ennis he didn't deserve Jack! So.... I guess what I'm saying is, if Ennis was so awful for being fearful and paranoid - and no one cut him any slack, why is it different when Jack is the one being paranoid? I just don't buy into the idea that it's different somehow. It isn't. But I don't think Jack realizes this.
So, I don't think Jack is doing this purposely - but I do think he has some subconscious resentment lingering, which I guess is natural. And I think Ennis senses this somehow and that makes him fearful of speaking up (Ennis may not be educated in the traditional way - but he's very smart!) I think they both have to get past those kinds of things if they're going to have a chance. They're not equals right now (and I'm not talking about money). And until they can be equals, there are going to be subconscious resentments on both sides - a very bad thing in any relationship. Just mho, anyway!
Thanks,
Marie
--- End quote ---
Wow, Marie. This is some insightful post. And so well said. I agree with everything you've said.
frantic65:
Thanks Marie-that all makes perfect sense now & I think you are dead right. ok-now I need a new chapter!!
mariez:
Update! Chapter 52:
http://community.livejournal.com/brokebackslash/1638719.html?#cutid1
SPOILERS
A very sweet and funny chapter, and the beginnings of some nice communication between the boys. But the real world awaits. I hope Alma agrees to let the girls go with Ennis to Kansas for Thanksgiving, and Bobby and Jack coming up to Ennis's for Christmas should be very interesting .......
And Arnie the alligator cracked me up! LOL!
Marie
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