Brokeback Mountain Forum @ ennisjack.com
The Movie & Story => Characters, Quotes & Scenes => Topic started by: kcristob on Jan 25, 2006, 05:22 PM
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I've always interpreted Ennis' "one shot deal" comment to mean just here and now. Not as a literal one time deal - but somthing that will not be continuing off the mountain. With the complexities after their first night - it can be confusing.
But I'm curious, do others agree that he was speaking more generally? rather than saying that last night was it? He does say it using current tense "This is a one-shot thing we've got going"
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I've always interpreted Ennis' "one shot deal" comment to mean just here and now. Not as a literal one time deal - but somthing that will not be continuing off the mountain. With the complexities after their first night - it can be confusing.
But I'm curious, do others agree that he was speaking more generally? rather than saying that last night was it? He does say it using current tense "This is a one-shot thing we've got going"
I'm 99 percent certain he meant that one night. It was typical denial from our boy.
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Didn't Jack have this line in the short story? I left my copy at work so I can't confirm :/
I might be wrong, but I thought there was a line in the short story that was said instead by the other in the movie.
edit- and to the original question, I thought he was referring to that one time, thus why he seemed so reluctant to enter the tent the second time.
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yes you're right. Here it is:
"As it did go. They never talked about the sex, let it happen, at first only in the tent at night, then in the full daylight with the hot sun striking down, and at evening in the fire glow, quick, rough, laughing and snorting, no lack of noises, but saying not a goddamn word except once Ennis said, "I'm not no queer," and Jack jumped in with "Me neither. A one-shot thing. Nobody's business but ours.'
Which I think lends some credence to the idea of the One-shot being the summer????
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We should note that the film does not follow the passage from the story in the details. The film places the exchange immediately after the first night, to show a sense of disquiet and tension that enters the relationship of our two protagonists at that point. The story leaves the exact placement of the exchange ambiguous.
In addition, there is a strong psychological shift associated with the transfer of 'A one-shot thing' from Jack to Ennis. Ennis is ASSURING HIMSELF as much as ASSERTING TO Jack about the passing nature of their sexual involvement. There is also a subtle shift involved in changing the statement "I'm not no queer" into the "YOU KNOW I ain't queer" used by Ennis in the movie. IT again DEMANDS CONFIRMATION from Jack that he (Ennis) is NOT a queer -- so important to Ennis' peace of mind, as demanded of him by his very own homophobic feelings.
Personally, I had interpreted the 'one-shot thing' AS IS PORTRAYED IN THE MOVIE as a declaration that sex between them will not happen again after the first night. In the story, there is no sense of such a definite duration.
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yes you're right. Here it is:
"As it did go. They never talked about the sex, let it happen, at first only in the tent at night, then in the full daylight with the hot sun striking down, and at evening in the fire glow, quick, rough, laughing and snorting, no lack of noises, but saying not a goddamn word except once Ennis said, "I'm not no queer," and Jack jumped in with "Me neither. A one-shot thing. Nobody's business but ours.'
Which I think lends some credence to the idea of the One-shot being the summer????
Good point, in the SS I think that is what it meant, but in the movie, it was denial. I mean in the 2nd tent scene Jack wasn't expecting him per se.
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We should note that the film does not follow the passage from the story in the details. The film places the exchange immediately after the first night, to show a sense of disquiet and tension that enters the relationship of our two protagonists at that point. The story leaves the exact placement of the exchange ambiguous.
In addition, there is a strong psychological shift associated with the transfer of 'A one-shot thing' from Jack to Ennis. Ennis is ASSURING HIMSELF as much as ASSERTING TO Jack about the passing nature of their sexual involvement. There is also a subtle shift involved in changing the statement "I'm not no queer" into the "YOU KNOW I ain't queer" used by Ennis in the movie. IT again DEMANDS CONFIRMATION from Jack that he (Ennis) is NOT a queer -- so important to Ennis' peace of mind, as demanded of him by his very own homophobic feelings.
Personally, I had interpreted the 'one-shot thing' AS IS PORTRAYED IN THE MOVIE as a declaration that sex between them will not happen again after the first night. In the story, there is no sense of such a definite duration.
I am with you and many great points. The short story and the movie do differ in terms of timing of the "one shot thing." I tend to think "one shot thing" written in the story refers to that summer, rather than the first tent as suggested in the movie.
Also, Jack's reply to Ennis was "it is nobody's business but ours." For Jack to make this encouraging statement, it seems they both had bonded even before the first tent.
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I've always interpreted Ennis' "one shot deal" comment to mean just here and now. Not as a literal one time deal - but somthing that will not be continuing off the mountain. With the complexities after their first night - it can be confusing.
But I'm curious, do others agree that he was speaking more generally? rather than saying that last night was it? He does say it using current tense "This is a one-shot thing we've got going"
He didn't say it was a one shot deal what we did....he said what we got going. He meant for the summer on the mountain.
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"He didn't say it was a one shot deal what we did....he said what we got going. He meant for the summer on the mountain."
Yes rikcub! - I agree
I thought about this last night (while not sleeping - AGAIN - thinking about the movie.)
I begin to bore myself with this constant analyzing -- but I can't stop!
I decided last night (at least for my interpretation) that Ennis DID indeed mean for the summer. It's said in the present tense - not in the past. Otherwise it would have been "that was a one-shot deal."
And it is keeping within Ennis' behavior that he is STILL shy and reticent to enter the tent that night. Even though he has sanctioned it - it's still awkward and unknown territory for him. He's not used to needing anyone, and he certainly wasn't expecting to need Jack.
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The book makes it pretty clear it was going to be a summer thing. In the movie, Ennis gives us the impression it's going to be just for that one night. Jack of course has hopes for more, and Cupid made it last for twenty years.
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Good point, in the SS I think that is what it meant, but in the movie, it was denial. I mean in the 2nd tent scene Jack wasn't expecting him per se.
WASN'T EXPECTING HIM!!!!! Jack is stripped down, and brushed and combed like a bride on his wedding night. Ennis has NOT gone off to tend the flock for the second night in a row. Ennis, by the fire, can see Jack in the tent by the lantern light. Jack can see Ennis by the fire. Ennis comes into the tent with his hat in his hands, lowered, almost as if covering his genitals... this is a carefully choreographed and performed courtship dance. Jack is expecting Ennis... big time.
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yeah....mmmmmm what a scene.........
I want my dvd!
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I want my dvd!
YEAH!!! I understand the the DVD is scheduled for release in April for Europe and in May for the U.S. Maybe if we sent in a massive petition to Focus Films asking for an early release (tomorrow would be nice ;D), they might speed things up a bit ,,, er, that is, A LOT!
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And when will the "extended" DVD be released?
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And when will the "extended" DVD be released?
in the UK they have removed the DVD from the amazon listing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm gonna kill the amazon people!!!
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Even though I agree with the perspective that Ennis' "one shot deal" remark was meant to cover the summer, the other half of this part of the movie (for me) is that Ennis has already told Jack he's getting married "in November." The way I took it is that, in Ennis' mind and way of thinking, they are covered for the summer with what is happening (e.g. what they are doing), but then once it is over and he gets married, that's it. Perhaps, almost warning Jack not to have any expectations or lofty ideas about the future. What's amazing about the movie is that we come to realize Ennis' involvement much later in the movie (when Jack is flashbacking) with the prolifically known "hug from behind."
Anyway, I am no literary giant by any stretch, but that's how I interpreted it.
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Even though I agree with the perspective that Ennis' "one shot deal" remark was meant to cover the summer, the other half of this part of the movie (for me) is that Ennis has already told Jack he's getting married "in November." The way I took it is that, in Ennis' mind and way of thinking, they are covered for the summer with what is happening (e.g. what they are doing), but then once it is over and he gets married, that's it. Perhaps, almost warning Jack not to have any expectations or lofty ideas about the future. What's amazing about the movie is that we come to realize Ennis' involvement much later in the movie (when Jack is flashbacking) with the prolifically known "hug from behind."
Anyway, I am no literary giant by any stretch, but that's how I interpreted it.
Soilder-of-Rome, I too agree that one shot deal is meant for the summer. If we have to really examine Ennis and the one shot deal thing (we already have in many aspects), the key is his engagement to Alma before everything started.
Would it still be a one shot deal if Ennis was not engaged at the time? I tend to think that Ennis would have been less concerned.
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Soilder-of-Rome, I too agree that one shot deal is meant for the summer. If we have to really examine Ennis and the one shot deal thing (we already have in many aspects), the key is his engagement to Alma before everything started.
Would it still be a one shot deal if Ennis was not engaged at the time? I tend to think that Ennis would have been less concerned.
And that's a great point about Ennis. We could really examine this to the point of applying the Kinsey scale and all that because the movie makes Ennis out to be either absolutely faithful to Jack by not even showing any interest in other men or possibly only homosexual when it comes to Jack. I am not that "switched on" when it comes to knowing the ins and outs of human behavior and what the research says. To answer your question, I would agree that Ennis would be less concerned. Again, the other side is if Ennis doesn't or won't see past the moment or immediate future. The movie makes him out to be kind of a simple guy, so planning for his daughters' education probably isn't in his mental catalog. But, I could speculate that he may not see himself as gay or even that he's falling in love, so even if he weren't going to marry, he may have still said the words because of a kind of denial he has about everything that's happening.
Wow, we could sure beat this one to death. It's a beautiful moment in an oblique way, though. It's almost as though he is conceding or acquiescing to his feelings toward Jack. Like he's thinking, "I am going to allow myself this pleasure and luxury up until it is time to stop."
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But, I could speculate that he may not see himself as gay or even that he's falling in love, so even if he weren't going to marry, he may have still said the words because of a kind of denial he has about everything that's happening.
Wow, we could sure beat this one to death. It's a beautiful moment in an oblique way, though. It's almost as though he is conceding or acquiescing to his feelings toward Jack. Like he's thinking, "I am going to allow myself this pleasure and luxury up until it is time to stop."
Yes, Ennis may not see himself as "gay" but could not explain his attraction to same sex. This confusion is compounded by his early childhood and his engagement to Alma. Did he plan on going his "normal" life? I think so. When he and Jack parted outside of office trailer - he repeated his marriage with Alma and before his four years without Jack, he said "I guess I will see you around." That really bothers me because of Ennis's selfishness to have a good time and draw someone into his life...then "abandon." But knowing Ennis, that is who he is. Drawing from my own personal experience, my Ennis just did the exact same thing - drawing distance as soon as our attraction surfaced.
To sum it up, denial and cover seem to be a logical response from Ennis. Only until 4 years later, he could no longer deny and cover, everything started unfolding.
You are right. We could really beat this one to death. Ain't no reins on this one.
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That really bothers me because of Ennis's selfishness to have a good time and draw someone into his life...then "abandon."
Don't say it's true !!! What about his outbreak of impotent violence when Jack informs him that Aguirre has ordered them off the mountain :-\ That punch to Jack's face... which he kept musing on for four years. Abandon ? No way ! He hadn't had time to figure out what was happening to him, let alone figure out how he would deal with the end of that job. I call that short-sightedness, not selfishness.
Stephan
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Don't say it's true !!! What about his outbreak of impotent violence when Jack informs him that Aguirre has ordered them off the mountain :-\ That punch to Jack's face... which he kept musing on for four years. Abandon ? No way ! He hadn't had time to figure out what was happening to him, let alone figure out how he would deal with the end of that job. I call that short-sightedness, not selfishness.
Stephan
See what emotion can do to someone? After reading your post, I do think "selfishness" and "abandon" are harsh and not true characterization of Ennis. I am sure Ennis was torn and didn't know exactly what to do. I can see the frastration and anger from Ennis when ordered to leave Jack and his Brokeback Mountain.
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See what emotion can do to someone? After reading your post, I do think "selfishness" and "abandon" are harsh and not true characterization of Ennis. I am sure Ennis was torn and didn't know exactly what to do. I can see the frastration and anger from Ennis when ordered to leave Jack and his Brokeback Mountain.
Sorry, I didn't mean to imply you were completely wrong. Drawing distance as soon as attraction starts... you said it, sweetheart, why oh why do they do it ??
Stephan
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Sorry, I didn't mean to imply you were completely wrong. Drawing distance as soon as attraction starts... you said it, sweetheart, why oh why do they do it ??
Stephan
Stephen, no worries. I think that is what BBM is about - to explain why one would draw distance as soon as attraction starts. It was a *forbidden* love. Ennis and Jack both knew it but no one can't deny the true feelings because "love is a force of nature."
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It was a *forbidden* love. Ennis and Jack both knew it but no one can't deny the true feelings because "love is a force of nature."
This film is one helluva force of nature too. Irrestible, I've promised myself my third viewing this week. Stephan
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I just wanted to point out, too, from the short story, that Ennis asks Jack if he's been with any other guys, when they are in the motel, and says something like, "I like doin it with women but sure never been nothing like this. I never had no thoughts of doin it with another guy but I sure wrang it out a hundred times thinking about you." Then he asks Jack if he ever has thoughts of any other men, and the implication is clear--that Jack has slept with other men (he's been "riding more than bulls" or something like that) but he reassures Ennis that he's the only one. And I think that's true--in spite of his needing physical affection that he doesn't or can't get from Lureen. To me this conversation demonstrates that Ennis knows he has a love specifically for Jack--perhaps that he loves him more than any other human being. Sighhhhh . . . .
peace--
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I just wanted to point out, too, from the short story, that Ennis asks Jack if he's been with any other guys, when they are in the motel, and says something like, "I like doin it with women but sure never been nothing like this. I never had no thoughts of doin it with another guy but I sure wrang it out a hundred times thinking about you." Then he asks Jack if he ever has thoughts of any other men, and the implication is clear--that Jack has slept with other men (he's been "riding more than bulls" or something like that) but he reassures Ennis that he's the only one. And I think that's true--in spite of his needing physical affection that he doesn't or can't get from Lureen. To me this conversation demonstrates that Ennis knows he has a love specifically for Jack--perhaps that he loves him more than any other human being. Sighhhhh . . . .
peace--
Good points, Jake G says he thinks ennis loves more deeply cause he doesn't find another man like Jack does (although as we have discussed here, it doesn't seem the ranch hand affair works out for Jack.)
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I, unfortunately, have not had the benefit of reading the story yet.
In the movie I remember hearing Ennis saying "this is a one-shot thing we got goin' here." I had no choice but to believe Ennis was referring to their remaining time on BBM. There was certainly an element of denial evident from Ennis. However, the fact that he wasn't mean to Jack on that hill meant (to me) that Ennis was beginning to acknowledge something was there that he couldn't explain.
Even before Ennis entered the tent later that evening, it was obvious he was struggling with own desire. Had this not been the case he would have surely headed back to the sheep prior to sundown. Anyway, what followed was one of the most tender and romantic sequences I have ever seen on film.
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I, unfortunately, have not had the benefit of reading the story yet.
In the movie I remember hearing Ennis saying "this is a one-shot thing we got goin' here." I had no choice but to believe Ennis was referring to their remaining time on BBM. There was certainly an element of denial evident from Ennis. However, the fact that he wasn't mean to Jack on that hill meant (to me) that Ennis was beginning to acknowledge something was there that he couldn't explain.
Even before Ennis entered the tent later that evening, it was obvious he was struggling with own desire. Had this not been the case he would have surely headed back to the sheep prior to sundown. Anyway, what followed was one of the most tender and romantic sequences I have ever seen on film.
I just wanted to come in here, because it is really great to see other people really looking at this lines in the movie and story...
I am hard-of-hearing and visually impaired, so you guys have to help me with the movie part (that is why I want the DVD soooooo badly)... but I did remember Ennis saying "one-shot thing goin' here" too so I agree that it kind of refered to the remaining time. The short story actually seemed more ambiguous... but I have to admit a lot of things in the movie were just that: ambiguous, with lots of loose ends... and so I have to tell you guys the truth... and please don't laught at me.... well, too much...
I really thought that in the movie, when Ennis said that.... it would translate into something like this:
"Don't tell anyone about this, because we have only one shot at this and we better get it right, because if we screw it up we are dead"
One target... one chance... one shot... that was where my head was at...
What y'all think?
Frank
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I, unfortunately, have not had the benefit of reading the story yet.
In the movie I remember hearing Ennis saying "this is a one-shot thing we got goin' here." I had no choice but to believe Ennis was referring to their remaining time on BBM. There was certainly an element of denial evident from Ennis. However, the fact that he wasn't mean to Jack on that hill meant (to me) that Ennis was beginning to acknowledge something was there that he couldn't explain.
Even before Ennis entered the tent later that evening, it was obvious he was struggling with own desire. Had this not been the case he would have surely headed back to the sheep prior to sundown. Anyway, what followed was one of the most tender and romantic sequences I have ever seen on film.
Good points. I had interpreted the movie line to mean we're only having sex this one time, but I think the other interpretation works just as well if not better. And I hadn't noticed about Ennis hanging around again on the second night. You're right he should have been off to the sheep hours ago.
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Yes, I have to come down on the side of the "one shot" being the summer. Ennis couldn't let go, everything had to be self-contained, under control. He feared losing control "if this thing grabs us...". Up on the mountain they were free, free to be. Ennis ' engagement is a committment that he had before Jack, one that he must follow through on coming down from Brokeback. It's also a natural cut off to the unleashing of his emotions towards Jack, stuff it all back into a box and be a "real" man. There's a day coming when he will go back to his everyday, normal life, but for now he is free to experience this new, frightening thing that has overtaken him and simply enjoy Jack; to revel in loving another human being as he has never known before. That's why he's so angry when Aguirre brings them down early. He's not ready for this "one shot" to end, he is not prepared to lose Jack now.
Rancher? Did I read rancher? The rancher in Texas I feel was very much a current thing with Jack up till his death. The story has him at it with other men during those four years straight after that summer, but the movie paints a picture of a man whose heart is broken after Ennis gets in touch about his divorce (Why? Did he hope for just a moment that this just might be his opportunity to really be with Jack for keeps, only to lose his courage by the time Jack drives all the way to Wyoming?) and so Jack drives off to Mexico and finds comfort where he can?
So, too, the bit where his dad says that Jack had big plans to bring this Texan up to the Twist homeplace to start a new life après Lureen. Dad knows what this is all about, he’s fuming. But was this Jack’s response to that truly horrible scene that really ends it where Ennis is on his knees in such pain that he begs Jack to “leave me be”? :'(Was Jack really making a final break and going to leave Ennis? I wonder. In my mind there was either a grieving rancher down in Childress missing his buddy, or maybe he was throttled with a tire iron too. Six Days Later and Still Crying, Titus.
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I too both from the story, which I knew before the movie, and the movie feel that "one shot thing" means this summer with you. It only includes Jack, and it only includes the Mountain, won't be taken down to the flats, and won't be any other time.
When I think about Ennis' life, what really stays with me is the lack of contact he has had.
When his parents died, his brother and sister raised him, Well I got 5--and none of us hug till we were older, and given the locale and how they were all raised, I will be Ennis' physical--hugs, reading stories, sitting at the kitchen table, pretty much ended when Mom died-----and Jack and Alma, are two of the first people in his life to actually take hold of him, and hang on.
When Jack and he get together---And Jack is so tender with him, even amongst all the wrestling takes, Ennis is finding something that has been missing for so long---so there is no way he is going to just give it up----he doesn't know how to go about keeping it---but of course there is going to be more than just that first night. He didn't even know what was missing, until he actually got some tenderness again. This is what it means to me: "ONe shot thing" means here and now with YOU because I am getting something I have needed.
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"They went at it in silence except for a few sharp intakes of breath and Jack's choked "Gun's goin off," then out, down, and asleep.
Ennis woke in red dawn with his pants around his knees, a top-grade headache, and Jack butted against him; without saying anything about it, both knew how it would go for the rest of the summer, sheep be damned." Annie P.
Whatever reticence Ennis may have at admitting it to himself... he knows the "one shot" is for the whole summer. Allan
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After seeing the movie freshly last night, I am still of the opinion that
"one shot deal" can still mean
"We only have one shot at this and we better get it right or we're dead."
As to how long a period of time that the quote ends up applying to... well, that becomes self-evident in the movie and the story.
Peace,
Frank
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After seeing the movie freshly last night, I am still of the opinion that
"one shot deal" can still mean
"We only have one shot at this and we better get it right or we're dead."
As to how long a period of time that the quote ends up applying to... well, that becomes self-evident in the movie and the story.
Peace,
Frank
I think Ennis meant the summer was a one shot deal. If had meant that previous night foray he would have said: "THAT was a one shot deal" He was speaking in the present, present being summer, so when he said This is a one shot deal" He meant the time they were on the mountain.
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"One shot deal" like when I go out for just "one" ?
Everyone says OSD it only means OSD until it ends - which in this case continued for 20 years.
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After seeing the movie freshly last night, I am still of the opinion that
"one shot deal" can still mean
"We only have one shot at this and we better get it right or we're dead."
As to how long a period of time that the quote ends up applying to... well, that becomes self-evident in the movie and the story.
Peace,
Frank
I must be thinking BBM too much. I agree one shot deal it is. And don't miss [the opportunity]. Jack confirms and says it's only their business Nobody else need know. It is the continuing hunting analogy - Jack misses the coyote, Ennis shoots the elk, they are in one another's sights and then it's a hit. Twist & Whisper.
I now cannot see how either of them have any complaints with what happened.
After thinking about this overnight I don't know how I could have missed the wording and significance of this scene (homophobic filter?). This is the making of their "Love Pact for the Summer". Now the intensity of the reunion 4 years later makes total sense
lowpro
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Really shows how so much can be said with so few words.
My take has always been that to Ennis the "one shot thing" was the uniqueness of their relationship --- how Jack made him feel and vice versa ---labels didn't apply --- that he could give in to how much he needed and wanted Jack because there was something so unique about them together--- no-one else made him react so strongly --- part of him needed to believe that neither he nor Jack could be "queer" either,because nothing in his upbringing would have suggested such love and tenderness between too people could be normal in a gay relationship.
I saw the movie for the 3rd time 2 nights ago --- this time, Ennis's pain at the early end of their summer came thru so strongly. I began wondering how, as the relationship grew between them, Ennis would have dealt with the coming end of the summer ---if Aguirre hadn't cut it short.
In one scene, when they are separating the sheep ,Jack is belly aching and Ennis says" we have to stick it out ,Jack, if we ever want to work for him again". or something like this --- had Ennis begun to think that they could be together again ????? Then the sudden end ,and his anger, led to the fight and his retreat into what feels safe and his walking away.Had they had another month together, could he have let Jack go completely ???
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I saw the movie for the 3rd time 2 nights ago --- this time, Ennis's pain at the early end of their summer came thru so strongly. I began wondering how, as the relationship grew between them, Ennis would have dealt with the coming end of the summer ---if Aguirre hadn't cut it short.
In one scene, when they are separating the sheep ,Jack is belly aching and Ennis says" we have to stick it out ,Jack, if we ever want to work for him again". or something like this --- had Ennis begun to think that they could be together again ????? Then the sudden end ,and his anger, led to the fight and his retreat into what feels safe and his walking away.Had they had another month together, could he have let Jack go completely ???
I think Ennis believed he could prepare himself for their inevitable separation as the known departure date approached. When Aguirre abruptly cut their remaining time short, Ennis lost complete control of how he perceived this would all end. An abrupt end, compounded with deeper feelings for Jack, probably made Ennis a basket case on the inside. His reaction to this chain of events made one thing clear to me. Ennis wouldn't have handled their scheduled separation any better. Whether he acknowledged it or not, he was in love. :'(
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just thought id make a topic about when ennis mentioned that what him and jack had going on was a 'one shot deal' what would have happened if it had been? if when they came down of brokeback they never seen each other again if ennis never recieved jacks post card, if they lived never to meet each other again. would they be able to live on in a conventional heterosexual marrige would they even be able to live on at all? i suppose the question isnt that important becaue the fact of the matter is they did meet again but im intrested to see what people think would have happened if brokeback was just a 'one shot deal'?
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just thought id make a topic about when ennis mentioned that what him and jack had going on was a 'one shot deal' what would have happened if it had been? if when they came down of brokeback they never seen each other again if ennis never recieved jacks post card, if they lived never to meet each other again. would they be able to live on in a conventional heterosexual marrige would they even be able to live on at all? i suppose the question isnt that important becaue the fact of the matter is they did meet again but im intrested to see what people think would have happened if brokeback was just a 'one shot deal'?
I definitely feel it was just simple denial on Ennis's part after the FNIT. Deep down inside, they both knew this definitely was no "one-shot deal"...they were truly in love and they cemented that forever that night in the SNIT.
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I definitely feel it was just simple denial on Ennis's part after the FNIT. Deep down inside, they both knew this definitely was no "one-shot deal"...they were truly in love and they cemented that forever that night in the SNIT.
hmmm i suppose.
i didnt realise this topic was already existent :P im not very good with the search bar sometimes *^)
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just thought id make a topic about when ennis mentioned that what him and jack had going on was a 'one shot deal' what would have happened if it had been? if when they came down of brokeback they never seen each other again if ennis never recieved jacks post card, if they lived never to meet each other again. would they be able to live on in a conventional heterosexual marrige would they even be able to live on at all? i suppose the question isnt that important becaue the fact of the matter is they did meet again but im intrested to see what people think would have happened if brokeback was just a 'one shot deal'?
I sometimes felt that it would be impossible for them to have stayed apart for very long. Granted, perhaps Ennis would have suffered silently without acting, but I think he was waiting and it seemed that he WAS expecting Jack to find him. Jack of course was the active element, who knew somehow that Ennis expected that Jack find him...
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I sometimes felt that it would be impossible for them to have stayed apart for very long. Granted, perhaps Ennis would have suffered silently without acting, but I think he was waiting and it seemed that he WAS expecting Jack to find him. Jack of course was the active element, who knew somehow that Ennis expected that Jack find him...
ummm im not saying imagine if they never tried to find each other i dont think that would happen but imagine for instance ennis had moved from wyoming with alma and jack couldnt locate him...
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I sometimes felt that it would be impossible for them to have stayed apart for very long. Granted, perhaps Ennis would have suffered silently without acting, but I think he was waiting and it seemed that he WAS expecting Jack to find him. Jack of course was the active element, who knew somehow that Ennis expected that Jack find him...
Yes, I agree with this. They'd both obviously constantly been thinking about each other for the past four years, and Ennis being the way he was, and Jack being the way he was, it makes perfect sense that Jack would search for Ennis until he found him again, and Ennis would expect that he would meet Jack again. Ennis would just sit around around and wait for him, Jack was the active element who would make it a priority to find Ennis, that's the way their personalities were. It was obvious when they parted that deep down they knew it was only a matter of time before they were reunited.
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Coming back to the topic itself,I think Ennis said this phrase as a way of convincing himself that it was going to be really "one shot deal".More this,than a way to convincing Jack or to protect himself before Jack more active and...aggressive? way of taking control.Sometimes we say things trying to avoid losing our control,for many reasons,when we really are wishing to lose it...And it's obvious that Ennis wishes were strong,but it´s more obvious too that then he was struggling between making these wishes stronger than his education and duties,or on the contrary.
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Yes, I think "One shot deal" was a way of reassuring himself (i.e., Ennis) that all this was a fluke, and it did at the same time sought to put limits on Jack. Of course, I don't think Jack really bought it -- and I think Ennis didn't really buy it either.
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In the ss it's different, as Ennis's "I'm not no queer ( Interesting double negative there - ironically his grammar betrays him!) elicits Jack's "Me neither, A one-shot thing," implying that for him too this is a one-off experience, which is presumably a lie, since the ss tells us that there have been othee men in Jack's life int he four years when he's away from Ennis.
In the movie it's Ennis who says it and the statement is expanded to "It's a one-shot thing we got going here;" the "here" implies to me that he means now, on the mountain, this summer. I've always seen the mountain as a place out of normal space and time for them, so this makes sense in that context - once away from here things will not be the same for Ennis at least. He'll marry Alma and revert to a straight life.
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In the ss . . . Ennis's "I'm not no queer" (Interesting double negative there - ironically his grammar betrays him!)
:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: Brilliant, WW!
Read this a million times and never picked that out! :8
It may not have been a lie for Jack at the time, Ennis may have been his first (Ouch!! ;) - it's not really clear, even though he thinks he's a sinner). Jack's others, "not rolling his own" of course come years after this brief exchange.
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In the ss it's different, as Ennis's "I'm not no queer ( Interesting double negative there - ironically his grammar betrays him!) elicits Jack's "Me neither, A one-shot thing," implying that for him too this is a one-off experience, which is presumably a lie, since the ss tells us that there have been othee men in Jack's life int he four years when he's away from Ennis.
In the movie it's Ennis who says it and the statement is expanded to "It's a one-shot thing we got going here;" the "here" implies to me that he means now, on the mountain, this summer. I've always seen the mountain as a place out of normal space and time for them, so this makes sense in that context - once away from here things will not be the same for Ennis at least. He'll marry Alma and revert to a straight life.
Yes, the very language and tone of voice in the ss was very different, no? And (as you pointed out) so was the meaning/significance. The use of the addition of "here" is certainly telling.
And I do love the irony of the double negative. :)
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I feel that "one shot deal goin on" speaks to and confirms that for Ennis there is something "goin on" Something's happening. It's everything that has led up to this point. The growing feeling he has for Jack and now he has had the opportunity to physically express what he's feeling. At least he is acknowledging to Jack that much, but to him it does'nt mean he's ".queer". For the summer on Brokeback he likes what's "goin on" , but can't admit to himself what it means. That enjoying or falling in love with Jack is not who he is as a whole person. This is his conflict and denial throughout the relationship. He is unable to fully give himself over to what he surely feels.
Jack's " it's nobody's business, but ours" does little to quell the fears in Ennis, once they leave the mountain. Certain *expectations* in the face of society in the wrong place, wrong time, their dead. To him it's everybody's business in his mind, but as far as his feelings go for Jack, he did get around to closely admitting his love for him when he says " aint no reins on this one". He still won't admit being gay, but Jack is reassured that it's no longer a "one shot deal" off the mountain either.
He sends up a prayer of thanks, not really because Jack forgot the harmonica, but because he knows he's been givin a 2nd chance with Jack. ( he can't hide that grateful smile) It's what's really been "goin on" since 1963 and that's no "one shot" deal.
When he finds the shirts after Jack's death, he knows the deal was not one summer on Brockback, but the deal was forever. My opinion.
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Perhaps he thought that it was the Mountain and the isolation that made him "different" at that point. He certainly seemed to admit that he was susceptible... But I think at that point, he was careful to distinguish his "real" self, from the self that was revealing itself at that very moment...
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I feel that "one shot deal goin on" speaks to and confirms that for Ennis there is something "goin on" Something's happening. It's everything that has led up to this point. The growing feeling he has for Jack and now he has had the opportunity to physically express what he's feeling. At least he is acknowledging to Jack that much, but to him it does'nt mean he's ".queer". For the summer on Brokeback he likes what's "goin on" , but can't admit to himself what it means. That enjoying or falling in love with Jack is not who he is as a whole person. This is his conflict and denial throughout the relationship. He is unable to fully give himself over to what he surely feels.
Jack's " it's nobody's business, but ours" does little to quell the fears in Ennis, once they leave the mountain. Certain *expectations* in the face of society in the wrong place, wrong time, their dead. To him it's everybody's business in his mind, but as far as his feelings go for Jack, he did get around to closely admitting his love for him when he says " aint no reins on this one". He still won't admit being gay, but Jack is reassured that it's no longer a "one shot deal" off the mountain either.
He sends up a prayer of thanks, not really because Jack forgot the harmonica, but because he knows he's been givin a 2nd chance with Jack. ( he can't hide that grateful smile) It's what's really been "goin on" since 1963 and that's no "one shot" deal.
When he finds the shirts after Jack's death, he knows the deal was not one summer on Brockback, but the deal was forever. My opinion.
I totally agree with every word. And I love what you said at the end. So true.
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I've always wondered about this: When Ennis says: "one shot deal going on", does he mean the FNIT or the whole summer? This is an important distinction, and I can't decide which I think he means. Because, if he means just the FNIT, then his intention at that moment, is to let Jack know this was never going to happen again. That tells us Ennis is ashamed, maybe scared, but certainly not willing to continue having a sexual relationship with Jack. If, on the other hand, he means the whole summer experience, including the sexual relationship with Jack, then that means Ennis is glad to share everything with Jack while they are on BBM, but afterwards, no. The fear of being found out would be too great if they continued their affair after they came down out of their seclusion on the mountain. How do you guys read it?
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I think he maybe recognizing to Jack that there's something going on but only for the summer alone, then he will marry Alma.. He has feelings he can't admit to leading up to FNIT. I feel he was looking to Jack for some assurance that this would remain only between them. Wanted Jack's input about what had happened between them. The contradiction in his sentence "one shot" and "goin on" is a deal between them that they will continue the sexual relationship as long as it's isolated to the mountain. Of course imo , he was greatly underestimated what affect this experience had on him. Once he was turned on by love, it's was not so easy to just turn off those frrlings after they came down. Thus the punch.
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I think that he was speaking about the summer, not about FNIT and the sexual relationship with Jack. I mean, if Ennis was speaking about FNIT he would have said "it was a one shot deal what we did", but he said "what we got going", so I think he meant the summer.......
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I think that he was speaking about the summer, not about FNIT and the sexual relationship with Jack. I mean, if Ennis was speaking about FNIT he would have said "it was a one shot deal what we did", but he said "what we got going", so I think he meant the summer.......
yes i think he meant the summaer aswell he was saying almost while we are here this can carry on but once we come down htats the end. thankfuly this was not the case.
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I admit that when I first saw the movie, I thought it only referred to the FNIT. but now I think I understand it as referring to the whole summer, after reading so many insightful posts in this forum. :)