Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum

what possessed Jack to take that shirt in the first place?

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nakymaton:

--- Quote from: stubbyeddy on May 28, 2006, 10:55:48 am ---justed wanted to add, my last 'boyfriend' he stole one of my shirts, i found it later on in his closet. when i asked him why he just didnt ask me for it, he said he was just embarrased to ask. I asked him why he took it, he simply said becaue it was mine and that it smelt of me, we didnt see each other often, only once or twice a year. I didnt press it issue anymore then that. well just wanted to add that...

--- End quote ---

Thank you, Eddy. You know, since the movie, I've seen lots of guys saying that they either had taken a shirt themselves, or had a boyfriend take theirs. (And each of the stories really gets me, every time, no matter how many times I hear them.) I guess I've exchanged shirts (well, his shirt; my over-sized sweater) with a guy when we were separated by an ocean, and I remember how emotional I got when I smelled him on his shirt. But he had to mail the shirt to me, and I had to mail the sweater to him. I don't think it would have ever occurred to me to simply take something he had worn.

There's something kind of sad and poignant about just taking the shirt rather than asking for it (or offering a shirt in exchange). I'm not sure I understand quite why I feel that way.

(And, yes, the scent of wild sage really is one of the saddest and most beautiful smells around. I can get misty-eyed at the smell of pines, or the sea, but sage tops them all.)

Meryl:
I think after the punch, Jack's hopes of keeping in touch with Ennis after the summer were considerably dimmed.  When he had the chance, he took the shirt, knowing he could at least have a little bit of Ennis left to comfort him.  Just seeing those shirts in his closet over the years (and being unable to throw them out) might have been the reason Jack finally got up the nerve to contact Ennis again.

When my dad died, I took one of his shirts and hung it inside my closet door, just like Ennis does in his trailer.  Now that my mom is gone, a few of her clothes hang next to it in my closet to this day.  There's something comforting about having the clothes they wore when you were with them, when you could still hug them.

tiawahcowboy:

--- Quote from: nakymaton on May 28, 2006, 11:40:53 am ---(And, yes, the scent of wild sage really is one of the saddest and most beautiful smells around. I can get misty-eyed at the smell of pines, or the sea, but sage tops them all.)

--- End quote ---

I see nothing sad about the smell of wild sage in its fresh or dried versions; nor do I feel sad when I burn it in a Native American ritual. The rising smoke reminds me of sending prayers up to the Creator Spirit and the smoke permeating the room makes me think of His Spirit surrounding me.

I have been in sweat lodge ceremonies where sage, tobacco and cedar was used and dropped on the glowing "grandfathers" (the translated name for the rocks heated until red hot) in the fire pit.

pinku:
What else did he have? That was the only tangible object that he had had to remember his darling, Jack! Looks like the shirts were enough for Ennis to spend his life remembering those unaffected/uncomplicated days at Brokeback, note the postcard  pasted/pinned near the shirts! I mean he did not even have the dubious comfort of going to Jack's grave!Beautifully enacted on the screen!   

RouxB:
When I was in college I frequently wore my boyfriends clothes-they smelled of him and reminded me of him everyday (and he loved seeing me in his things-especially his bathrobe-go figure). There was a particular sweater that I kept as mine but when riding my bike home from class one day it fell from around my waist and I lost it. I looked for that damn sweater for days! I saw my loss of it as a premonition of my loss of him. I was completely heart broken when I was unable to find it.

I think we do equate personal items-particularly clothing-with the essence of loved ones. When I graduated and was about to move back home, I went to see this, now ex, boyfriend to return a jacket of his. He was sad to get it back and he admitted that as long as I had it, he had a reason to stay connected to me.

 O0

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