Hey Amanda, thanks for bumping old threads
. Good to re-read them.
I agree with Mark and Amanda that Jack was sure able to deal with the mules. Did he do it the summer before? We don't know whether he was alone his first summer or not.
I think he didn't like it, dealing with this dumbass mules, carefully storing everything. I can hear him bitching. But I think it was his job after the job switch.
And Mark is right, Aguirre knew anyway after coming by. Both about the job switch and our boys. Yet he let it pass. He isn't the most lovable character, but he is far from being the greatest bastard in the story.
From Amanda:
Jake [...] talks about playing Jack as if he's really trying to be a good cowboy
...
His awkwardness and fumbling attempts
...
Jack also isn't a good shot with his rifle, etc., etc.
Maybe we should give Jack a little more credit about his skills in general. I've often read similar things: tossing the keys, not the best bull-rider, not a good shot, etc. This is all correct. But somehow we sound a little bit like OMT: Jack never being good enough in those practical things. He may not be as good as Ennis, but hey, he grew up on a ranch, was used to hard ranch work and I'm sure he coped with it. You don't have to be the best to be good.
From Clarissa:
I always see Ennis as very proficient at what he does - with an economy of motion he gets the job done. He keeps himself compacted and efficient. Jack does things in a sloppier fashion, but with a stronger desire to be appreciated. I am thinking of that look Ennis gives Jack, when jack splashes himself with the contents of the can he is opening. That look (to me) says, "I can't believe you can't even open a simple can." Even when just sitting down, Jack makes a big production of it, moving his legs all around, taking his gloves off with a flourish, tinking his belt buckle. Ennis checks the knot on his pack, mounts up and is gone.
I absolutely love this paragraph. Well observed and so well put.
