Topic: "All this time you aint found anyone else to marry?"

[manhattangirl]

Isn't it funny, how that innocent coversation leads up to "I'm not you" the following day.  Sure Jack was wondering if Ennis was seeing anyone else.   Jack had Mexico and Randall, it wasn't enough and not what he wanted.    I guess it was kind of getting to him.  And after nearly twenty years,  again he was there with Ennis, and he's not showing any inkling of changing anything between them, and what in the heck was preventing him from doing so and why?  So Jack ask the question, he had every right to.   

Jack was getting tired, and the ride was getting longer, he laid it out, revealing himself, with "I miss you so much sometimes I can hardly stand it".    He wasn't Ennis, and damn Ennis for thinking that he was.     

[aintfoolin]

Isn't it funny, how that innocent coversation leads up to "I'm not you" the following day.  Sure Jack was wondering if Ennis was seeing anyone else.   Jack had Mexico and Randall, it wasn't enough and not what he wanted.    I guess it was kind of getting to him.  And after nearly twenty years,  again he was there with Ennis, and he's not showing any inkling of changing anything between them, and what in the heck was preventing him from doing so and why?  So Jack ask the question, he had every right to.   

Jack was getting tired, and the ride was getting longer, he laid it out, revealing himself, with "I miss you so much sometimes I can hardly stand it".    He wasn't Ennis, and damn Ennis for thinking that he was.     

 So right MG.
 Jack was'nt Ennis, but he loved him. He had every right to ask it , deserved to know where he stood after all those yrs. If he was gonna invest more of himself in Ennis, he had to know that Ennis wanted him and him alone. He may have also felt guilt over Randall and Mexico. Ennis's statement "puttin the blocks to" may have meant he was holding Cassie off, ( blocking her) who DID want to marry him and he knew it. She was agressively pursuing him, and already in love,  but he knew he was gonna have to nip that in the bud  with her before she became suspicious of why he would'nt marry her.
I wonder how Jack would have handled it if he knew Cassie's  true intentions toward his man. He had Randall, and never mentioned that. If he had, Ennis could use that to justify another relationship. he was not going to give Ennis that option, Ennis was his ,and ANYONE seriously considering coming between them was setting themself up to get hurt. Fortunatly, for Jack, Ennis did'nt want anyone else. Made his relationship with Cassie  seem  like no big deal to Jack, and Jack feels *safe* telling  some story about seeing LaShawn.... NOT!

[tpe]

I don't think Jack WANTS Ennis to be married again, because he was so excited when he got divorced.

I think it was a probe to see if Ennis may be interested in the cow and calf operations. When Ennis did not say something like, "No, Jack, I have had my fill with women. It only you that I want." Jack had no opening to propose again. He felt dejected. It was obvious in his "Sometimes I miss you so much, I could hardly stand it."

Why would Jack WANT Ennis to be tied down with another wife? You and Alma, you called that a life?

I think that there is a difference between the divorce scene and this later one.  The difference, of course, is that in the earlier scene, Jack was completely under the impression that Ennis would consent to live with him once the divorce was finalized.

In the later scene, I think we see Jack almost resigned to the fact that Ennis will NEVER live openly with him: "I did once".   Hence, whether Ennis was married or not at this point really didn't matter as much as in the earlier scene.  It follows that I don't think Jack would have minded Ennis marrying again -- at least for the sake of appearances. 

I must admit, nonetheless, that Jack probably appreciated the fact that an unmarried Ennis should have been less complicated to deal with -- not having to steal time from a marriage.  However, by the time of the Last Confrontation, it was very clear to Jack that married or unmarried, Ennis always found an excuse to gradually cut the time they spent with each other -- either from work, obligations to children, and so forth.  So Jack must have also understood by then that even a nominal marriage would not have made that much of a difference.

[tpe]

I also feel there was a bit of jeaulousy here. Jack's tone , when he asked the question, appears to put emphasis on the  amount of time that's gone by. He wants to know how Ennis was *getting by* ....romantically other than him He was'nt able to stand it and wanted to know if "anyone else was interested in him. Of course there was Cassie, but , I don't think Ennis wanted any part of marriage,to her or anyone else.  Niether did Jack on Ennis's behalf, but as in any long-term relationship, Jack knows  eyes do sometime tend to wander.  Ennis had married for cover before and Jack  Knew Ennis was vulnerable to women, but Ennis bringing another woman into this thing? Nah.  Not unless Ennis would be thinking about quitting Jack and that was'nt about to happen.In an a inconpicuous way, Perhaps Jack  was asking Ennis if after all this time, Was there someone else Ennis hooking up with?

To be sure, I do feel an element of jealousy here.  It was like he was tsting Ennis by asking that very question.  The fact that Ennis asked him later on about his own dealings with Lureen.  We see that Jack got the point, because he volunteered much more to Ennis, as if he understood the underlying meaning beneath the seemingly innocent question.

[tpe]

Isn't it funny, how that innocent coversation leads up to "I'm not you" the following day.  Sure Jack was wondering if Ennis was seeing anyone else.   Jack had Mexico and Randall, it wasn't enough and not what he wanted.    I guess it was kind of getting to him.  And after nearly twenty years,  again he was there with Ennis, and he's not showing any inkling of changing anything between them, and what in the heck was preventing him from doing so and why?  So Jack ask the question, he had every right to.   

Jack was getting tired, and the ride was getting longer, he laid it out, revealing himself, with "I miss you so much sometimes I can hardly stand it".    He wasn't Ennis, and damn Ennis for thinking that he was.     

Perhaps Jack suspected that behind Ennis progressively shying away from their meetings, there was another man?  In any case, perhaps Jack also felt guilty about his other trysts, and was sort of projecting it, as a matter of conscience?

 

[aintfoolin]

Jack's statement was coming from the heart. Despite all that Ennis did'nt know, or what he chose to admit,  he says " tell you what, I miss YOU so much, I can hardly stand it" It's Ennis he really wants ,but to him, Ennis "has no idea how bad it gets". it gets so bad, he feels he has to resort to Randall and Mexican hustlers. He does'nt want that, but he's left vulnerable to it. He's not Ennis, content with virtual celibacy between the long seperations.
He feels guilt, yes maybe shame because of it, but his situation at times becomes dire. Randall and Mexico are sustitutes for who he reaaly needs so desperatly but givin the choice, Jack's really wants to say " I need you" "Not just sometimes, but all the time, especially those times when I can hardly stand it."

 Ennis has spoken though, "It aint gonna be that way"  Though Jack accepted this to a degree at the time,  he still hoped things would change.  he percieves the gap getting wider between them he questions. How do you do it? Is there someone else filling the void he should be filling for Ennis.? Nah Ennis is being his same stubborn, fearful self. He's standing it instead of fixing it. It 's clear that this is no longer acceptable to Jack.

He's made his feelings clear the best way he could in his statement. The following morning, he lays it all out. His frustration passionatly laid out to Ennis when  he changes the date of their next meeting.  time becomes the essence for Jack, more time with Ennis is important and deserved to him.Jack is no  longer willing to stand the status quo and justifiably lets Ennis know what he's kept pent up inside for many yrs. He feels Ennis owes him more for his patience and efforts. Who can blame him? really now. My Take.

[babytammy7]

Beautiful AF!!! I love your post and I agree!! I can say no more things because you said it all and for sure better than me!! 

[orangetruck]

Jack's statement was coming from the heart. Despite all that Ennis did'nt know, or what he chose to admit,  he says " tell you what, I miss YOU so much, I can hardly stand it" It's Ennis he really wants ,but to him, Ennis "has no idea how bad it gets". it gets so bad, he feels he has to resort to Randall and Mexican hustlers. He does'nt want that, but he's left vulnerable to it. He's not Ennis, content with virtual celibacy between the long seperations.
He feels guilt, yes maybe shame because of it, but his situation at times becomes dire. Randall and Mexico are sustitutes for who he reaaly needs so desperatly but givin the choice, Jack's really wants to say " I need you" "Not just sometimes, but all the time, especially those times when I can hardly stand it."

 Ennis has spoken though, "It aint gonna be that way"  Though Jack accepted this to a degree at the time,  he still hoped things would change.  he percieves the gap getting wider between them he questions. How do you do it? Is there someone else filling the void he should be filling for Ennis.? Nah Ennis is being his same stubborn, fearful self. He's standing it instead of fixing it. It 's clear that this is no longer acceptable to Jack.

He's made his feelings clear the best way he could in his statement. The following morning, he lays it all out. His frustration passionatly laid out to Ennis when  he changes the date of their next meeting.  time becomes the essence for Jack, more time with Ennis is important and deserved to him.Jack is no  longer willing to stand the status quo and justifiably lets Ennis know what he's kept pent up inside for many yrs. He feels Ennis owes him more for his patience and efforts. Who can blame him? really now. My Take.

Absolutely. 20 years is some void, and it's some incredible faith Jack had as a lover.

I would say your take is also mine here. I think even if Ennis had other men on the side (very unlikely to me that Jack even considered this), they'd been found down an avenue of his fear. -- idea being that he only managed those lesser affairs because they were of a more anonymous nature. But ultimately, I have to rest the core of Ennis on the fear factor alone.
Thanks for this post, I really like your use of metaphor and things said.

[manhattangirl]

So right MG.
 Jack was'nt Ennis, but he loved him. He had every right to ask it , deserved to know where he stood after all those yrs. If he was gonna invest more of himself in Ennis, he had to know that Ennis wanted him and him alone. He may have also felt guilt over Randall and Mexico. Ennis's statement "puttin the blocks to" may have meant he was holding Cassie off, ( blocking her) who DID want to marry him and he knew it. She was agressively pursuing him, and already in love,  but he knew he was gonna have to nip that in the bud  with her before she became suspicious of why he would'nt marry her.
I wonder how Jack would have handled it if he knew Cassie's  true intentions toward his man. He had Randall, and never mentioned that. If he had, Ennis could use that to justify another relationship. he was not going to give Ennis that option, Ennis was his ,and ANYONE seriously considering coming between them was setting themself up to get hurt. Fortunatly, for Jack, Ennis did'nt want anyone else. Made his relationship with Cassie  seem  like no big deal to Jack, and Jack feels *safe* telling  some story about seeing LaShawn.... NOT!

When I read your post, Alma came to mind.  Remember how Jack took no liking to her.  Imagine how he would have reacted to Cassie if he actually met her.   I guess possessiveness went both ways with Jack and Ennis.  But this is the thing, Ennis anger of Jack's infidelity with other men, Jack's anger of Ennis being with anyone else.

Ennis I guess didn't see being with a woman as being a threat, but Jack saw it differently.   It has me reevaluating my views of who was the most possessive. 

Thanks aintfoolin' you've given me something else to mull over.



   

[lancecowboy]

Isn't it funny, how that innocent coversation leads up to "I'm not you" the following day.  Sure Jack was wondering if Ennis was seeing anyone else.   Jack had Mexico and Randall, it wasn't enough and not what he wanted.    I guess it was kind of getting to him.  And after nearly twenty years,  again he was there with Ennis, and he's not showing any inkling of changing anything between them, and what in the heck was preventing him from doing so and why?  So Jack ask the question, he had every right to.   

Jack was getting tired, and the ride was getting longer, he laid it out, revealing himself, with "I miss you so much sometimes I can hardly stand it".    He wasn't Ennis, and damn Ennis for thinking that he was.     

I think it was normal for Jack to think Ennis was like him, that he could hardly stand it if he felt the same way, and not be able to be apart. So when Ennis had only this cute little waitress, Jack thought, "I  am not like you."

And in the same way, with Ennis, who thought that if Jack felt the same way he did, then he wouldn't be with anyone else. So when Jack said Mexico, he reacted the only way he knew, "...could get you killed."

You'd think after 20 years, they would know each other a little better than that. It shows that even soul mates sometimes don't know each other well enough.

 :\'(

[manhattangirl]

I think it was normal for Jack to think Ennis was like him, that he could hardly stand it if he felt the same way, and not be able to be apart. So when Ennis had only this cute little waitress, Jack thought, "I  am not like you."

And in the same way, with Ennis, who thought that if Jack felt the same way he did, then he wouldn't be with anyone else. So when Jack said Mexico, he reacted the only way he knew, "...could get you killed."

You'd think after 20 years, they would know each other a little better than that. It shows that even soul mates sometimes don't know each other well enough.

 :\'(

Yeah, definitely,  It's only proves that what they said twenty or so years ago is what they definitely believed, Ennis saying, "It ain't gonna be that what way,"  and Jack saying is "It's nobody business but ours".  My nephew when he was little thing told his mother when he frustrated about her not understanding him, "you don't listen to my words".   

And I guess each Jack and Ennis never really listen to the words. 

[tpe]

I have been reading the comments about Cassie, and I must admit that it probably would have been a problem had she and Jack collided.  Had she married Ennis, I suspect that it would have been much more difficult for Ennis to get away and see Jack.

Hence, perhaps Jack would have been much more actively against Ennis remarrying if he knew a bit more -- contrary to what I had said before.  It was clear that Ennis's meetings with Jack mattered to the latter very much, as attested to by the Last Confrontation.

 

[aintfoolin]

I have been reading the comments about Cassie, and I must admit that it probably would have been a problem had she and Jack collided.  Had she married Ennis, I suspect that it would have been much more difficult for Ennis to get away and see Jack.

Hence, perhaps Jack would have been much more actively against Ennis remarrying if he knew a bit more -- contrary to what I had said before.  It was clear that Ennis's meetings with Jack mattered to the latter very much, as attested to by the Last Confrontation.

 

Had Ennis married Cassie, and Cassie saw what Alma witnessed in the reunion scene, simlpy put it would have been much more dramatic than the previous scene. She was'nt Alma, quiet, timid, and resigned to living a lie . At the risk of sounding *soapoperish,*She and and Jack would have butted heads big time. Either way, Ennis would "get it", and I'm not talkin some quiet, reserved conversation. I believe she was a fighter, but so was Jack. Jack had more time invested in this thing and she would definitly try to put a stop to these "fishing trips". That would not sit well with Jack or Ennis. It would come to Ennis marrying for cover, but WHO the woman is and her personality would make quite a difference. Who Ennis marrys would make or break Jack and Ennis. I think it's why Ennis nipped this thing  iwith Cassie in the bud. He was not going to give up Jack, Had it gotten that far, Cassie was not going to go quietly into the sunset, knowing what she knows.

[manhattangirl]

Had Ennis married Cassie, and Cassie saw what Alma witnessed in the reunion scene, simlpy put it would have been much more dramatic than the previous scene. She was'nt Alma, quiet, timid, and resigned to living a lie . At the risk of sounding *soapoperish,*She and and Jack would have butted heads big time. Either way, Ennis would "get it", and I'm not talkin some quiet, reserved conversation. I believe she was a fighter, but so was Jack. Jack had more time invested in this thing and she would definitly try to put a stop to these "fishing trips". That would not sit well with Jack or Ennis. It would come to Ennis marrying for cover, but WHO the woman is and her personality would make quite a difference. Who Ennis marrys would make or break Jack and Ennis. I think it's why Ennis nipped this thing  iwith Cassie in the bud. He was not going to give up Jack, Had it gotten that far, Cassie was not going to go quietly into the sunset, knowing what she knows.

What strikes me funny, is when Ennis said to Jack "I'm putting the blocks" (talking of Cassie), I think the blocks were the other way around.  I don't know if it was Ennis "chest banging" moment, but who was he kidding?   It worked, Jack bought into it.  There was no reason for him not to.   

[aintfoolin]

Yeah, Ennis was the one giving footrubs and such right? . I've never heard this term used regarding sex. ("putting the blocks to"), but I think it was as you said earlier, Ennis was being careful.They were both keeping secrets. Ennis pursued by a sexually aggressive woman who was thinking about marriage., a direct threat to Jack  who imo, would be required to backoff or bow out,and Jack had Randall standing by in Childress, a direct threat to Ennis. She was no Alma. Jack was'nt dumb. had he met Cassie, he'd know she was not the kind of woman who would'nt  just let it ride. Lureen questioned him about why Ennis never came down to Texas to *fish*, but Jack had the conveience of distance to quell her suspicions+she was pre-occupied with the business, on the other hand Cassie lived in Riverton, in close proximity to Ennis.
The knowledge of either of them finding out each other's *secret* would spell big trouble. Ennis downplayed the seriousness of Cassie's intentions ,not elaborating on the fact that Cassie was in love with him ,and Jack just outright lied about Randall.

[welshwitch]

I'm not even sure Ennis realises Cassie's in love with him ( if she is) - he seems to me more like a man pursued by a determined woman ( determined on marriage) and not sure how to get away - in the end he more or less hides. Jack's position is safer, in that Randall couldn't afford to pursue him openly or make threats without revealing his own nature and putting himself at risk of homophobics, so Jack can keep him on the back burner, as it were.

This conversation seems to me to contain some of the elements - move and counter-move - of a chess game.

[tpe]

I somehow felt that Cassie was like the young Lureen in that she was the one actively pursuing Ennis.  I found it interesting that in spite of what Ennis sais ("Putting the blocks"), he seemed not exactlt running away from all the attention.  He seemed to have been playing along -- as it he half-wanted all the attention?

I felt that Ennis was perhaps not taking Cassie seriously enough -- not as serious as she was taking him, to be sure.  Could he have not seen that she was in love with him?  Perhaps he somehow felt that she too was only "playing"?

[myprivatejack]

I somehow felt that Cassie was like the young Lureen in that she was the one actively pursuing Ennis.  I found it interesting that in spite of what Ennis sais ("Putting the blocks"), he seemed not exactlt running away from all the attention.  He seemed to have been playing along -- as it he half-wanted all the attention?

I felt that Ennis was perhaps not taking Cassie seriously enough -- not as serious as she was taking him, to be sure.  Could he have not seen that she was in love with him?  Perhaps he somehow felt that she too was only "playing"?

Yes,definitively Cassie,young Lureen and Jack were very similar,in that they're active in taking control of the seduction's role.But I'm not very sure about if Ennis was playing with Cassie,but mainly taking advantage of the possibilities she gave him.To be seen going out with a woman(several years after his divorce and when he could most easily be the object of gossips or,at least,a morbid attention)was the most secure for a man in his position.However,I don't believe he lied to her or played with her in a bad acception;but that when he realised he couldn't love her,and that he didn't want her to be a second Alma by his side,he dissapeared from her life.Surely,what he didn't realise is that she had fallen in love with him.

[sassym]

Had Ennis married Cassie, and Cassie saw what Alma witnessed in the reunion scene, simlpy put it would have been much more dramatic than the previous scene. She was'nt Alma, quiet, timid, and resigned to living a lie . At the risk of sounding *soapoperish,*She and and Jack would have butted heads big time. Either way, Ennis would "get it", and I'm not talkin some quiet, reserved conversation. I believe she was a fighter, but so was Jack. Jack had more time invested in this thing and she would definitly try to put a stop to these "fishing trips". That would not sit well with Jack or Ennis. It would come to Ennis marrying for cover, but WHO the woman is and her personality would make quite a difference. Who Ennis marrys would make or break Jack and Ennis. I think it's why Ennis nipped this thing  iwith Cassie in the bud. He was not going to give up Jack, Had it gotten that far, Cassie was not going to go quietly into the sunset, knowing what she knows.

Dare I say as a newbie, that I have never thought much about Alma's passivity in the face of what she saw on the stairs, and how she never mentioned it to Ennis. After two years and  four months of carrying this movie around in my head and my heart, you've given me more to think about. 
 I can't imagine Cassie  not having an argument with Ennis if he were her husband, because she wasn't a shy retiring woman. That would have been one explosive scene. Of course with two children, many women would have kept quiet, especially if they were stay at home moms. Even now women are counseled  against making hasty judgements and ending marriages over infidelity.
Hope I didn't ramble.

[tpe]

Yes,definitively Cassie,young Lureen and Jack were very similar,in that they're active in taking control of the seduction's role.But I'm not very sure about if Ennis was playing with Cassie,but mainly taking advantage of the possibilities she gave him.To be seen going out with a woman(several years after his divorce and when he could most easily be the object of gossips or,at least,a morbid attention)was the most secure for a man in his position.However,I don't believe he lied to her or played with her in a bad acception;but that when he realised he couldn't love her,and that he didn't want her to be a second Alma by his side,he dissapeared from her life.Surely,what he didn't realise is that she had fallen in love with him.

Yes, this is what I meant: that he used Cassie also as a smokescreen, without giving her the reward of a commitment.

[tpe]

Dare I say as a newbie, that I have never thought much about Alma's passivity in the face of what she saw on the stairs, and how she never mentioned it to Ennis. After two years and  four months of carrying this movie around in my head and my heart, you've given me more to think about. 
 I can't imagine Cassie  not having an argument with Ennis if he were her husband, because she wasn't a shy retiring woman. That would have been one explosive scene. Of course with two children, many women would have kept quiet, especially if they were stay at home moms. Even now women are counseled  against making hasty judgements and ending marriages over infidelity.
Hope I didn't ramble.

Yes, I think that Cassie was in many ways a stronger woman -- and that this would lead to problems had she been married to Ennis.  Then again, I wonder if her love for Ennis would eventually cool.  Perhaps she would end the same way as Lureen, too engrossed in her career as a nurse to care anymore.  I could see her taking on lovers!

[myprivatejack]

Yes, I think that Cassie was in many ways a stronger woman -- and that this would lead to problems had she been married to Ennis.  Then again, I wonder if her love for Ennis would eventually cool.  Perhaps she would end the same way as Lureen, too engrossed in her career as a nurse to care anymore.  I could see her taking on lovers!

Yes,but I don't imagine her either being like Lureen; occupied in her business and making her own life in all the senses.She had no need to have a good social image before her friends and family as Lureen had,she needn't a "smokescreen" also to hide her marriage's failure before her parents...For me,this is the main difference between the both of them; and also,Cassie's stronger way of being doesn't make me imagine her so quiet and resigned as Alma.Surely,she had fought for recovering Ennis,but not with silence and obedience as Alma did.

[welshwitch]

In some ways Alma is the 1950s wife, stay-at-home cooking/looking after children/no ambitions/financially-dependent on her husband while Cassie is much more of a late C20th woman, economically independent, interested in wanting to develop her prospects but quite liking the idea of a man along with all that.

[manhattangirl]

Look to Ennis's reaction, Cassie and Jack are similar, sexual beings, not wanting to be alone for too long.  But Ennis reactions to Cassie being with Carl, was different than his reactions with just the thought of Jack being with another man.  Indifference and anger.

[orangetruck]

Look to Ennis's reaction, Cassie and Jack are similar, sexual beings, not wanting to be alone for too long.  But Ennis reactions to Cassie being with Carl, was different than his reactions with just the thought of Jack being with another man.  Indifference and anger.

Yep, Brokeback got that boy by the balls. 

 

[tpe]

Interesting comments by MG about Jack and Cassie.  They certainly seemed more sexual than the rest of them, and I think Ennis was probably flattered by having Cassie come on to him.

As for WW's comment, I agree that Cassie appears to be more late 20C than Alma -- then again, she probably epitomizes more of the 70s, so this is not very surprising.

I agree mostly with MPJ, although I interpreted the comment on Nursing school as something that hints of ambition.  Unlike Alma and like Lureen, she wants an independent career...

[myprivatejack]

Interesting comments by MG about Jack and Cassie.  They certainly seemed more sexual than the rest of them, and I think Ennis was probably flattered by having Cassie come on to him.

As for WW's comment, I agree that Cassie appears to be more late 20C than Alma -- then again, she probably epitomizes more of the 70s, so this is not very surprising.

I agree mostly with MPJ, although I interpreted the comment on Nursing school as something that hints of ambition.  Unlike Alma and like Lureen, she wants an independent career...

Yes,but she also wanted a husband.When I said that I didn't imagine her as Lureen,I was referring to the point we were discussing then; her reaction if she had discovered Ennis and Jack's relationship.And I meant that I didn't believe that she hide behind her career to cover his marriage failure before everybody, because she had a social position to maintain,as Lureen did -if she really knew or imagine something about the two men-.It's only in this sense of social hypocrisy than I don't compare Cassie with Lureen,but I do in their independence,greater in both cases than Alma's.

[aintfoolin]

 I found it interesting that she happened to be with that Karl guy when she ran into Ennis at the bus station cafe. Apparently this is not a woman who had problems finding male companionship.  Ennis did'nt really seem upset, jeaulous or disappointed. She'd tried to hunt him down leaving notes, inquiring at his job etc..., but Ennis was hiding and did'nt wanna be found.

 He had to know she was pursuing him and wanted something serious , meeting his daughter and so forth, but this was doomed before it got off the ground because unbeknownst to her, Ennis's heart was already spoken for.
 I don't feel he meant to hurt her, but he was not gonna trade Jack for her either, so he just made himself scare to her. Maybe he should'nt have strung her along like he did or let her down easy, but that would require explaining his need to remain single and "unattached".
 She was beautiful and single, and looking for a husband. Again, "puttin the blocks to" may not have meant sex, but perhaps meant pulling in the reins on this relationship with her. Shutting her out, blocking her advances further. He explains this to Jack in response to he question " all this time, your aint found nobody else to marry?". Maybe this was Ennis's way of telling Jack that though he had chances to marry someone, he was having to ward this person off, because Jack was the only one for him after all these yrs.  She could cause alot of problems being inquisitive about his need for so much privacy having such an outgoing personality.  In this way she and Jack were very much alike.
Like Jack, things had to make sense to her or she'd ask alotta questions including who Jack was. If she found out his secert, she'd talk  perhaps to other men in the bar, and Ennis knew it.  That would be a nightmare for him... and he could no longer protect Jack. Just a thought.

[babytammy7]

I found it interesting that she happened to be with that Karl guy when she ran into Ennis at the bus station cafe. Apparently this is not a woman who had problems finding male companionship.  Ennis did'nt really seem upset, jeaulous or disappointed. She'd tried to hunt him down leaving notes, inquiring at his job etc..., but Ennis was hiding and did'nt wanna be found.

 He had to know she was pursuing him and wanted something serious , meeting his daughter and so forth, but this was doomed before it got off the ground because unbeknownst to her, Ennis's heart was already spoken for.
 I don't feel he meant to hurt her, but he was not gonna trade Jack for her either, so he just made himself scare to her. Maybe he should'nt have strung her along like he did or let her down easy, but that would require explaining his need to remain single and "unattached".
 She was beautiful and single, and looking for a husband. Again, "puttin the blocks to" may not have meant sex, but perhaps meant pulling in the reins on this relationship with her. Shutting her out, blocking her advances further. He explains this to Jack in response to he question " all this time, your aint found nobody else to marry?". Maybe this was Ennis's way of telling Jack that though he had chances to marry someone, he was having to ward this person off, because Jack was the only one for him after all these yrs.  She could cause alot of problems being inquisitive about his need for so much privacy having such an outgoing personality.  In this way she and Jack were very much alike.
Like Jack, things had to make sense to her or she'd ask alotta questions including who Jack was. If she found out his secert, she'd talk  perhaps to other men in the bar, and Ennis knew it.  That would be a nightmare for him... and he could no longer protect Jack. Just a thought.

Actually in the Spanish traslation "puttin the blocks to" doesn't mean sex. It says "Estoy dandole largas" (Thomas, please put it in English, I know you can), or like you say he was blocking her advances, like saying to her "mmmmm, I'm not ready; I'll think about it, maybe, with time" or "mmm, I'll see, think about it, later."

[orangetruck]

I found it interesting that she happened to be with that Karl guy when she ran into Ennis at the bus station cafe. Apparently this is not a woman who had problems finding male companionship.  Ennis did'nt really seem upset, jeaulous or disappointed. She'd tried to hunt him down leaving notes, inquiring at his job etc..., but Ennis was hiding and did'nt wanna be found.

 He had to know she was pursuing him and wanted something serious , meeting his daughter and so forth, but this was doomed before it got off the ground because unbeknownst to her, Ennis's heart was already spoken for.
 I don't feel he meant to hurt her, but he was not gonna trade Jack for her either, so he just made himself scare to her. Maybe he should'nt have strung her along like he did or let her down easy, but that would require explaining his need to remain single and "unattached".
 She was beautiful and single, and looking for a husband. Again, "puttin the blocks to" may not have meant sex, but perhaps meant pulling in the reins on this relationship with her. Shutting her out, blocking her advances further. He explains this to Jack in response to he question " all this time, your aint found nobody else to marry?". Maybe this was Ennis's way of telling Jack that though he had chances to marry someone, he was having to ward this person off, because Jack was the only one for him after all these yrs.  She could cause alot of problems being inquisitive about his need for so much privacy having such an outgoing personality.  In this way she and Jack were very much alike.
Like Jack, things had to make sense to her or she'd ask alotta questions including who Jack was. If she found out his secert, she'd talk  perhaps to other men in the bar, and Ennis knew it.  That would be a nightmare for him... and he could no longer protect Jack. Just a thought.

An excellent thought, it's good to hear it like this. Quite inspiring in its way.
Thank you.