I was always fascinated by the stark difference between Jack's folks. Here is maybe the first time Ennis drives so far to go visit someone, and what he is greeted by is a warm, patient, understanding, seemingly all-knowing and kind woman, and a cold-as-ice, angry, spiteful, inconsiderate shell of a man. I cannot imagine how shocked he would have been when he sat down at that table. Those two actors were spectacular in their brief performances.
To get back to topic, I think Jack left those shirts there like that, in the back of his closet, wanting his mother to find them. We never hear him say one harsh word about his mother, although we all know what he thought of his dad -- "never taught me a thing, never once came to see me ride", "can't please my old man no way", etc. So we know that he loves his mom and appreciates her all his life. But I wouldn't presume that a western, out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere farm wife during the 60's and 70's would have heard a whole lot about homosexuality, though. Which makes me question if she really, truly knew that Ennis was Jack's lover, or if she just thought that he was just his great, close friend all those years?
I think mothers always know, deep down.She may not have understood it, in fact her only reference point may have been the bible, with the much quoted, and man shall not lie down with man.I used to get so fed up of hearing that, by the radical religious groups around the time of BBM.In fact the best reply I ever heard was, that's O.K I have sex standing up !!
I digress, I know it's a more modern age,for some people, but I still think a mother knows.I remember I used to say to my patients,if the mother is worried then so am I. If mum was not worried then usually things were just fine.
I knew all the time my oldest had big problems, everyone else just laughed at me,or told me how intelligent he was.Well yes he is, but he is also deeply disturbed.It has taken me from age 2 to nearly 15 to finally get a diagnosis and treatment.
My son was floored that I knew the very time he first had sex.My husband thought I was an idiot.But turns out I was right.Sorry that sounds arrogant,I just feel for a mother who has a deep love for her child, they know pretty well everything.
The love Jacks mother has for him is so plain to see, it is almost too painful to watch.She instantly knows what Ennis has in his hands.No words necessary, just a look and the bag.
How ironic that we first see Ennis with a bag in hand containing pretty much all he has in the world.He has it all before him.Closed and as yet not experienced in love.Then full circle, Ennis with a bag, but this time it contains all that was important to him, all that is left of Jack and his life.
From one brown bag to another, but OMG what a journey between the two.The first bag symbolically is a reference to the lack of worldly goods, Ennis has.The second bag, still has no worldly goods, but it is now filled with love. Very sad.He clutches both of them tightly.
The first, not that he knows it, is a portent of all that is before him,the second, all that is behind him.
Well that's me completely in bits again.