Brokeback Mountain: Our Community's Common Bond > Brokeback Mountain Open Forum
What is behind Jack and Ennis' hats?
Mikaela:
That scene is particularly horrible, even in normal speed, because those attackers act on cruel intent all along. It's not something that is escalating and getting out of hand while in progress. Those guys aim to kill from the very first we see them, and the sheer force used and the deliberate cruelty of their actions testify to an overwhelming hatred.... My slow-mo watching didn't only show me that, proving that the scene clearly represents Ennis's deepest fears brought to horrible life, - it by extension also very strongly reminded me of this:
This is what Ennis firmly believed, or rather *knew* that he was protecting Jack from, all those years. In denying to meet Jack anywhere else than a couple of times a year out in the middle of nowhere, he was using all his strength of will to ward off this very fate, the fate he felt sure would be Jack's if he gave in to the wishes for that sweet life together. Watching that scene carefully, and remembering this is what Ennis held in his mind, this is what his fears showed him, this is what he struggled to avoid, - it's nearly impossible to blame Ennis or to be exasperated with him for refusing to budge, for worrying over "people knowing".
It's possible that Ennis was on the brink of taking the plunge and accepting to change their relationship to a "life together" when he received the "deceased" post card. I do tend to think so myself. Watching the death scene I now wonder whether Ennnis's fear of this fate for Jack might have played some little part in pushing Ennis to changing his mind at last: At their last meeting Jack revealed that he was seeing other men, that he couldn't make it on those few times a year with Ennis. Apart from everything else that would make Ennis feel and think, that would also mean to Ennis that despite Ennis's caution, despite his costly self-denial, Jack was at obvious risk from those long-feared shadowy attackers. And Ennis would be far away if it happened. Perhaps in weighing matters, Ennis might come to think that in this situation, Jack would be no more at risk if actually living with Ennis, while Ennis himself would be close by to at least be able to try to protect him? This is just speculalion on my part, I don't think anything in the film supports it - but I don't think it's all that far-fetched either.
--- Quote ---Either way, it is nightmarishly reminiscent of Ennis and Jack’s reunion scene.
--- End quote ---
You are right - there is an frightening and eerie similarity there. In both scenes Jack is losing control, is being pushed along, has his hat knokced off - as love overwhelms him from the front, as hatred attacks from the back. :'( Wonder if that parallell was intentional?
dly64:
--- Quote from: Mikaela on August 24, 2006, 05:10:51 pm ---This is what Ennis firmly believed, or rather *knew* that he was protecting Jack from, all those years. In denying to meet Jack anywhere else than a couple of times a year out in the middle of nowhere, he was using all his strength of will to ward off this very fate, the fate he felt sure would be Jack's if he gave in to the wishes for that sweet life together. Watching that scene carefully, and remembering this is what Ennis held in his mind, this is what his fears showed him, this is what he struggled to avoid, - it's nearly impossible to blame Ennis or to be exasperated with him for refusing to budge, for worrying over "people knowing".
--- End quote ---
I can follow your logic. I am one of those who tend to become angry with Ennis. I think there is an element of Ennis protecting Jack and caring for him. (Katherine – didn’t you bring that up in another thread?) As I was reading your note I thought of two things:
1. During the phone call with Lureen, Ennis envisions what he believes to be the real way that Jack died. Certainly, Ennis became aware that Jack was sleeping with other men (lake scene).
2. While at Jack’s parents, when OMT talks about the “other ranch fella” … Ennis reacts. IMO, Ennis’ reaction is not soley based on the reality that he may have lost the only person he ever loved to another man. Rather, the knowledge that Jack may have been seen in a compromising situation with another man … reinforced the possibility that Jack was murdered.
--- Quote ---You are right - there is an frightening and eerie similarity there. In both scenes Jack is losing control, is being pushed along, has his hat knokced off - as love overwhelms him from the front, as hatred attacks from the back. :'( Wonder if that parallell was intentional?
--- End quote ---
It is hard to know. There are times I say to myself … “Girl, you are overanalyzing again!” However, I do think it was intentional.
serious crayons:
--- Quote from: Mikaela on August 24, 2006, 05:10:51 pm ---This is what Ennis firmly believed, or rather *knew* that he was protecting Jack from, all those years. In denying to meet Jack anywhere else than a couple of times a year out in the middle of nowhere, he was using all his strength of will to ward off this very fate, the fate he felt sure would be Jack's if he gave in to the wishes for that sweet life together. Watching that scene carefully, and remembering this is what Ennis held in his mind, this is what his fears showed him, this is what he struggled to avoid, - it's nearly impossible to blame Ennis or to be exasperated with him for refusing to budge, for worrying over "people knowing".
--- End quote ---
I agree. In fact, in the story, where Ennis is less internally homophobic, his choice not to live with Jack seems almost logical and reasonable -- it suggests his fears were not at all unfounded. Movie Ennis' homophobia muddles the issue, but I do think this irony adds to the tragedy. The very fate Ennis spent his life denying himself in order to avoid happened anyway.
--- Quote ---And Ennis would be far away if it happened. Perhaps in weighing matters, Ennis might come to think that in this situation, Jack would be no more at risk if actually living with Ennis, while Ennis himself would be close by to at least be able to try to protect him? This is just speculalion on my part, I don't think anything in the film supports it - but I don't think it's all that far-fetched either.
--- End quote ---
Interesting idea! And I agree, it's quite possible.
Front-Ranger:
The hats are an interesting contrast. Jack's hat always has an upturned brim and is often flying off, while Ennis's hat is stuck on his head with a flat brim, or even downturned a little, and shielding his eyes. So characteristic.
dly64:
Great observations!
It occurred to me when we were discussing the scene where we are seeing Jack being attacked. Has anyone noticed that this is occurring by a railroad? When Ennis and Jack first meet, there is also a railroad. The train heads away while Jack’s truck arrives. Does this mean anything? Opinions anybody!?
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