his life where he felt in control and sure of himself and, on a limited scale, successful.
Regarding some of the higher up posts...
Well yes, would Ennis have freaked out if Jack had offered him money, "now we are acting like husband and wife or something," just thinking outloud of how Ennis would have responded. THere are alot of boundaries on this relationship... Ennis is self-reliant. Don't want no help.
Ennis enjoyed his work he did at a ranch hand. HOwever, his options as he gets owner to seek employment elsewhere seem to have closed. Towards the end of the film, he can't quit those jobs like he used to, hence the blowup about not being able to take time off at August and Jack would had to return in November.
Afterall, you do get vacation time working at a powerplant. Maybe 4 weeks leave after 20 years and you'd sure be more comfortable. It's not like Jack was coming to visit Ennis more then two or three times a year. Well, that's the impression I got. Certainly a trip up to WY five or six times a year would have made Lureen suspicous or even worse, my husband is a bad employee, can't be around for the big sales on the farm equipment.