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

Why does Jack....?

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BBM-Cat:
Ok, I thought it was only fair to have a 'Why does Jack' thread since there is a 'Why does Ennis' thread - unless, of course there is already one but I did not see one.

One thing that I keep thinking about is why, in one of the final camping scenes, when Ennis asks Jack if everything is 'normal' between he and Lureen and Jack just kind of nods (as if to imply, 'yeah, why wouldn't it be?'....) I really think Jack missed an opportunity to reassure Ennis about some of his fears. Because Jack gave the impression that things were 'normal' and Lureen did not 'suspect', that made Ennis feel even more uncomfortable. Especially, regarding Ennis' fears and paranoia that people 'knew'. Again, I wish Jack would have taken the opportunity to reassure Ennis about his thoughts and fears like: "yeah, sometimes I feel like at times the whole world knows too but then I remember that you're up here in WY and I'm in TX".  Or, something reassuring like that - did anyone else feel like that was a missed opportunity? ..not that there weren't plenty more in the story : )

Ellemeno:
Yeah, Jack wasn't at his usual warm-hearted best at that point.  He'd recently faced that Ennis was probably never going to agree to live together, had the shitty Thankasgiving with his father-in-law, and was lost in shallow financial concerns.  His heart was too wounded a place at that point, and he couldn't live in it.  He was more in his head.

Why does Jack tell Old Man Twist that he is bringing Ennis up to lick the ranch into shape, but never invite Ennis to do so?

Brown Eyes:
I think Jack tells Ennis that everything's "normal" with Lureen for the same reason that in the later camping trip Ennis "brags" about dating the "waitress" (Cassie) and Jack makes up the story about the ranch foreman's wife.  They seem to have never given up the game of pretending that they "aren't queer" to one another.  As unnecessary as this all seems to be the longer the relationship goes on.  Jack also might say that things are normal with Lureen because he already doesn't want Ennis to suspect that he's had flings with other men (been to Mexico, etc.).

More on that conversation by the stream... I think Jack believes he's jumping on an opportunity to maybe convince Ennis to move one baby-step closer to living with him or closer to him.  As miscalucated as it might be... he may be trying to use this little opening to suggest the move to "maybe Texas."  But, you're right he doesnt' take the opportunity to reassure Ennis of his fears.

Clarissa, that's a good question about the invitation about Lightning Flat.  I think, though, that all the suggestions of moving in together might have (in Jack's mind) started with a trip to Lightning Flat.  Jack maybe assumed that if they both did get divorced and took the "plunge" together... they might have to do something like go up to Lightning Flat at least for a while until they worked some plans out.  If they got divorced they would both really be out in the cold (assuming that Jack wouldn't come away from that divorce with much money at all).  I remember a really amazing observation once (in some old thread here in Open Forum surely) about the ranch in Lightning Flat.  When Ennis pulls up to the house there's a second building (an old bunk house or shed or something) not far from the main house.  Someone once suggested that that house represented the house that Ennis and Jack could have shared together... but now it's decayed and falling apart from neglect.
 :'(

welliwont:


--- Quote from: Ellemeno on December 30, 2006, 03:48:16 am ---
Why does Jack tell Old Man Twist that he is bringing Ennis up to lick the ranch into shape, but never invite Ennis to do so?


--- End quote ---

Ahh Elle, you ask the toughest questions!  :o :o

I don't know the answer to this one, but if I had to guess.....   Is it because Jack is waiting waiting waiting for some little word from Ennis to show that he is moving forward, and coming closer to having the sweet life with Jack?  Every fishing trip Jack is waiting for a sign from Ennis?  And after every fishing trip he goes up to LF and tells his old man the same thing?  Jack, ever the optimist...  :'(

Ellemeno:
Amanda, pick the next Why does Jack....?  :)

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