Interesting discussion. Thanks for starting it up again Forever.
I think Jack knew, fairly early in the summer, that he didn't want to let Ennis out of his sight. He certainly knew by the end of the summer. That's the reason for the tears, and stealing the shirt.
It took Ennis a bit longer to get in touch with his own feelings, being closed up tight and all. It took him a year to figure out what Jack knew, but it would take longer for him to figure out what to do with 'em feelings.
Jack knew, and wanted the sweet life. He was lonely, always, even with people all around him, even with Lureen dancing in his arms, looking lovingly at him. He gave his heart to Ennis back on the mountain. That's the point of their love...the two lonely cowboys met and fitted together like two gloves...one quiet and enjoyed solitude when he had to, the other liked the sound of his own voice to chase away the loneliness. They found friendship when none was expected. Jack knew, like one of 'em lucky ones, that Ennis was the one...
Ennis was so out of touch with his own feelings, having 'em locked away in his secret hiding place, and lost the key after so many years. FNIT was like a dream, being drunk and all. SNIT was the first time when he went looking...staring into the fire and remembering the combination, the road back into the fortress that he built, so many years ago. It is the reason why SNIT is so much more passionate and romantic, to me. That was the first time when the real Ennis came out to play. You can see the surprise in Jack's face...Ennis ain't no quiet shy cowboy. Like Aaron in Latter Days, 'em repressed shy quiet ones are the ones that will scream and holler and knock the walls down once they release the flood of emotions penned up all 'em years.
Jack wanted more; Ennis was afraid to give, to live the sweet life. He didn't know what he was missing until it was too late. That's the quality in Jack which Ennis loved most...the visionary seeing what was possible...the bluebirds singing next to whiskey springs. Jack wanted to stay near the camp...Ennis switched. Jack wanted more than beans...Ennis shot that elk. Jack wanted some place warm...Ennis got Don Wroe's cabin. The one thing that Ennis could not give to Jack, was the sweet life, because Ennis didn't think he had it in him to give that much. It's the proverbial cold feed before a wedding; it's the fear of being victims of homophobia; it's the frightful uncertainty of the unknown.
Jack saw it clear as day, just the two of 'em away from everything, in the furthest most isolated corner of Wyoming. In a ranch away from everyone, just the two of them, and the cows and calves. Well, and Jack's Ma and Pa. Jack knew he got his Ma wrapped around his finger, and he figured with Ennis's help, they could fix up the ranch real good. His Pa would be impressed with Ennis, and the money coming in from the cow and calf business will help to change his mind about two guys living together.
In a way, the practical Ennis was likely thinking ahead, knowing this thing with no rein, living under the same roof with Jack's Ma and Pa, just ain't going to happen. Imagine 'em two locking lips the first night in Jack's room, with the walls paper thin. "No, Jack. We just can't." The self-disciplined stoic Ennis closed up tight like a clenched fist. It must have been terrifying to have this thing with no rein, threatening to expose him to all the world....that's really as much to fear, for Ennis, as the violence from homophobia. To lose control is to lose himself.
Sweet life? It would be a horrible life living a lie under the same roof with Jack's parents, one he loves, and the other he desperately wanted to be loved. No, Jack. What we got, is all we can have. Take it or leave it Jack.
