Topic: How did Ennis and Jack Really see each other?

[vedrana]

I am not sure if my question is for opening a new thread, but I'll just post it here as the title of this thread fits, even if the author's explanation about the question "How did Ennis and Jack Really see each other?2 is not what I have in mind.

So, I want to ask - did Ennis and Jack notice each other appearance features? How did they see each other in that sense? Did Ennis think that Jack's eyes were beautiful, or Jack that Ennis's smile is adorable and so on ....

They were very attractive young man, but mostly attached to each other because of some mental compatibility and physical attraction. They loved each other scent, strenght, jokes and a lot of little things that made them one soul.

But the beautiful things about their appearances - were those important to the other side or they just did not notice it?

Do you think that's important at all?

Hope I made my point...

[FlwrChild]

Yes I think you made your point well, Loreen. 

Because the short story decribes both characters very differently from the way that Jake and Heath look (they were much plainer men in the original SS), I would be inclined to think that it was less about their physical appeal than the way they fit together, both as friends and as lovers. They each found a companion who respected him, someone they felt comfortable with at work as well as in play. And of course, I realize that just because AP's story describes them as somewhat plain, that doesn't mean they weren't attracted to each other superficially as well. My guess is each man thought the other was very attractive. I'm just inclined to think that wasn't the first thing that sparked the relationship.

Now that you ask the question though, it makes me think that I'd love to be able to hear their thoughts and how they saw each other in that way. You've got me thinking now. 

[ksxks]

Yes I think you made your point well, Loreen. 

Because the short story decribes both characters very differently from the way that Jake and Heath look (they were much plainer men in the original SS), I would be inclined to think that it was less about their physical appeal than the way they fit together, both as friends and as lovers. They each found a companion who respected him, someone they felt comfortable with at work as well as in play. And of course, I realize that just because AP's story describes them as somewhat plain, that doesn't mean they weren't attracted to each other superficially as well. My guess is each man thought the other was very attractive. I'm just inclined to think that wasn't the first thing that sparked the relationship.

Now that you ask the question though, it makes me think that I'd love to be able to hear their thoughts and how they saw each other in that way. You've got me thinking now. 

Me, too.  I love this question.  It is a bit difficult to tackle because of the difference between the story and the movie, but let's say both Ennis and Jack even in the story were fine-enough looking young men, and they probably were.  One of them may have been bowlegged (I forget which one) but maybe he had gorgeous thick, wavy hair and beautiful eyes and long eyelashes, let's just say.  And the other one had sweet, soft lips, and endearing little curls behind his ears.  Anyway, the closer they got, the more free they felt to really gaze upon each other, and I'm sure they did see physical things they really loved.  And fine tanned bare skin, and well-used muscles, etc., etc.

Now...as to the Ennis and Jack that we know, we can certainly surmise that anytime we see either of them look at the other, we can be damn sure they are liking what they see -- the whole package, and all the details.

kathy

[lancecowboy]

I am not sure if my question is for opening a new thread, but I'll just post it here as the title of this thread fits, even if the author's explanation about the question "How did Ennis and Jack Really see each other?2 is not what I have in mind.

So, I want to ask - did Ennis and Jack notice each other appearance features? How did they see each other in that sense? Did Ennis think that Jack's eyes were beautiful, or Jack that Ennis's smile is adorable and so on ....

They were very attractive young man, but mostly attached to each other because of some mental compatibility and physical attraction. They loved each other scent, strenght, jokes and a lot of little things that made them one soul.

But the beautiful things about their appearances - were those important to the other side or they just did not notice it?

Do you think that's important at all?

Hope I made my point...

Great question, Loreen. As others have pointed out, the short story as Annie Proulx intended, Ennis and Jack were not suppose to be charismatic handsome movie stars. It is also why Heath refused to go along with Ang Lee's request to bulk up and become more muscular. He stayed true to character as Annie wrote of Ennis...lean and quick.

There are many answers to your question, depending on a person's preferences. Personally, I believe that neither Ennis nor Jack were particularly concerned with the other's appearance. It was not a physical attraction as it was a love born of their friendship and living close together under the stars on Brokeback Mountain. Much more than the physical aspect of their relationship was the underlying emotional bond between them, the one that binds the reticent fearful duty-minded lonely Ennis to the bravado risk-taking dreaming Jack. The non-physical aspect of their relationship makes the physical aspect the icing on the cake, so to speak. It is also why Ennis never found another man to love, because there was never another Jack. Even Jack, in his desperate search for an Ennis substitute, resorted to the tall reticent types.

Just my two cents, for what's it worth.

[jackster]

. . . . more than the physical aspect of their relationship was the underlying emotional bond between them, the one that binds the reticent, fearful, duty-minded, lonely Ennis to the bravado, risk-taking, dreaming Jack. The non-physical aspect of their relationship makes the physical aspect the icing on the cake, so to speak. It is also why Ennis never found another man to love, because there was never another Jack. . . .

Just my two cents, for what's it worth.

  'Bout a million bucks Andrew. Well done cowboy.

[tpe]

I am not sure if my question is for opening a new thread, but I'll just post it here as the title of this thread fits, even if the author's explanation about the question "How did Ennis and Jack Really see each other?2 is not what I have in mind.

So, I want to ask - did Ennis and Jack notice each other appearance features? How did they see each other in that sense? Did Ennis think that Jack's eyes were beautiful, or Jack that Ennis's smile is adorable and so on ....

They were very attractive young man, but mostly attached to each other because of some mental compatibility and physical attraction. They loved each other scent, strenght, jokes and a lot of little things that made them one soul.

But the beautiful things about their appearances - were those important to the other side or they just did not notice it?

Do you think that's important at all?

Hope I made my point...

I think both found the other physically attractive from the start.  But IMO, it was the mental compatibility and thier mutual empathy for each other's loneliness that really drew them to each other later on.

Yes, appearances are also important, and I don't think it ceased to be a factor in the relationship.  But we should also note that beauty can be relative, and that their looks don't have to meet specific criteria for what most people think would be beautiful. 

Still, the choice of Jake and Heath to play the parts -- each one so beautiful to most of us and each one so different from the rather physically unattractive characters in the short story -- influences our perception a great deal.  It makes their attraction more believable, given that we ourselves are attracted to them.

[aintfoolin]

 I always wondered this too. The physical attraction between them. I feel it was just a part of the package as a whole. The icing on the cake.  it does'nt hurt that they were both gorgeous, but one can be physically attractive yet be a total ass. I feel it was mutual, deep need for acceptance and understanding  that allowed the relatonship to grow. Whatever ailed them, they found the cure in each other which went way beyond physical appearence. Completion in a much deeper sense. MO.

[tpe]

I always wondered this too. The physical attraction between them. I feel it was just a part of the package as a whole. The icing on the cake.  it does'nt hurt that they were both gorgeous, but one can be physically attractive yet be a total ass. I feel it was mutual, deep need for acceptance and understanding  that allowed the relatonship to grow. Whatever ailed them, they found the cure in each other which went way beyond physical appearence. Completion in a much deeper sense. MO.

"Completion" is exactly the right word.