Louise posted a comment about her intentions to continue the Laramie Saga with a fourth installment at LiveJournal that I just saw. She mentions appreciation for those who support her view of Ennis continuing his life after Jack's death and why the sort of resolution that Ennis & Ellery offer us is important to so many of us affected/devastated by Brokeback Mountain.
Because I am one of the world's worst about not posting regular support and encouragement for the fan fiction writers I read (out of sheer laziness, I confess), I thought I would mention here a few reasons why I find E&E (and other fan fictions) healing and how I have come to my personal resolution that it is OK for Ennis to have a happily-ever-after.
It goes without saying that Annie Proulx and McMurtry/Ossama/Lee leave us with an open-ended story. The last we see of movieEnnis, he is tearful, looking at his shrine of bloodied shirts, and making an indeterminate vow to Jack. The last we read of storyEnnis, he is acknowledging the difference between what he wishes to be true and what he truly believes about Jack's death...again ambiguity.
Good arguments can be made for several interpretations of the final scenes, but ultimately, it's for each of us to arrive at our own understanding. That's why I love the Annie Proulx quote about 'finishing the story' in our own lives - she left us that opportunity, gave us that gift, essentially, to move past the fate of her Jack and Ennis and decide how we want our own lives to honor their lives and their sacrifices. (If this sounds as if I see Jack and Ennis as real people, good, because I do...they inhabit 'everyperson' to me).
FanFiction Jack and Ennis have their kernels, to either a greater or lesser degree, in the story or the movie, but beyond those kernels, they belong to the FanFiction writers. I absolutely believe that it is appropriate for us to imagine how life might go on for Ennis after the devastation of losing Jack. For me, it is also good and healing to consider different points in the story where their lives could have taken a different turn - those 'if only's' that writers like Leslie have given us with Jack and Ennis eventually achieving their sweet life together.
The point is for all of us to 'finish the story' in whatever way we can and using whatever tools are available to us - forums, friendships, fan fiction, activism. You don't have to look any further than the variety of posts at BetterMost to see a long list of ways people are working hard toward the end of finding contentment and love in their own lives - within themselves, with partners or with greater society.
So, I applaud Louise for continuing the Laramie Saga. Your fans appreciate your efforts, truly.
And if fan fiction is not your cup of coffee, if it doesn't speak to you, or if it outright annoys/enrages you, that's OK too. It is only one of a multitude of ways of keeping Jack and Ennis alive in your hearts. That is my personal goal - I want them to live forever in my heart, however I can achieve that.
With gratitude and humility,
-Lynne
Topic: Taking Chances, by E. L. Van Hine and L.H. Nicoll (Read 3145399 times)