hmmm.. so true whenu said jack cud read ennis like a book 
... but why do you think he failed to read him in the most imporant moment - thants when they were parting from brokeback. whatever ennis was saying or not saying meant nothing .. the only thing he wanted was that he wanted eveything to go on as it was going on
jack misread him completely and left ! 
Wow, when I saw this I just had to delurk myself and comment. it's such an interesting ,great topic, the communications factor surrounding the relationship with Jack and Ennis. They were both open books from the very beginning , both very easy to read, but only on the surface at first.. but later there were hints, hints, and more hints, the scene you mention in particular...
First I must say that IMHO no one was misreading anyone here. IMO it is clear what was going on between them. From the moment that Jack informed Ennis that they had to "bring them down", Ennis interpreted that as meaning [The summer with Jack was to be cut short, time with Jack was ending as far as he was concerned].He becomes angry at everyone Aguirre, Jack, whoever and whatever was to blame for this robbery and maybe even himself but one thing is for sure Ennis did'nt wanna leave, not just yet. Signs of tension and dissatisfaction with the news was palpable in the air.
Jack offers to loan Ennis money... perhaps hinting at some future contact with his cowboy all the while searching for some words, maybe some sign from Ennis, perhaps that Ennis did'nt want to loose him forever. He, Jack himself needed to draw out Ennis basd on Ennis's reactions to the news wether in words or actions, it did'nt really matter.. He did'nt have to wait long.
He studied Ennis as he sat so alone and sad on the hill.Jack got it, Ennis was bothered greatly by the fact that their time together was ending and was prolonging the inevitable, and then... out comes that lasso.
I still beleive there is at least a bit of symbolism in that gesture, lassoing Ennis in claiming Ennis as his? Perhaps... Jack had quietly long made his choice He wanted Ennis, but Ennis was still very contemplative. He had a diffcult choice much too soon to make . How could he ever explain a broken promise of marriage to Alma and his real desire to be with Jack, when he could'nt even explain it to himself? It just was not going to happen That this experience with Jack had changed him? Ennis had his fears and some one had to get hurt. According to his fears, it had to be Jack.
Back in Signal, No one can tell me Ennis did'nt notice the hope and the hurt in Jack's eyes. It was both heart-breaking and painful to watch , both dancing around the real questions and answers that so needed by both to be asked and answered. Words gone unspoken but definitly hinted at . They both loved each other and I believe both got the hints and the vibes of that fact, if you will but to me personally it was not for lack of want , but a matter of fear. Thanks .
