Am still thinking over the possibility Ennis was, pure and simple, a loner. The distance between him and Alma, and also Cassie, would be more understandable, this way, when you toss in Jack. And there are a variety of lone-wolf types. Maybe Ennis (gosh, I hate this phrase), had what is now called low self-esteem and therefore thought nobody could really LIVE with him, for a long period of time without getting tired of him.
Even Alma was a part-time marriage, in that he was away so much. It's just that every image of Ennis seems to support this, from Aguirre's trailer, to the marriage ceremony (he seems alone, there, too), to the road-work, to sitting in the pick-up watching a movie with Alma, to the divorce proceedings --he's always alone or lost unto himself.
The only time he had constant companionship, then, was on the mountain, and, because of mixed signals, that seemed not to hold up, either.
Of course, if you go with a loner mentality, that undermines the repressed/shame theory when it comes to the next 20 years with Jack. I dunno. The movie starts with Ennis --- alone, and it ends the same way. And maybe that's all he knew. It's a thought, that's all.
I definitly think Ennis is a loner. Would say he was just *made that way* , but that's putting it too simply. I also feel that he had a repressed/shameful part of him.
Like alot of *loner* types like Ennis, they usally do have some deep dark scerets. No one will ever know them, including wives, friends, relatives etc. Though it's the perfect cover, re-marriage is out of the question for him imo, He's learned already,1. He's already in love with Jack, and aint about to let him go again 2., it does'nt replace his need for him,3. It's one more person permanantly situating herself into his relationship with Jack and the essential secrecy of it. Like Alma, someone else to pass judgement on him and Jack. Why would Ennis open himself up to that ...Again??
Jack kept coming back, even times when Ennis found it inconvienient, Jack was there, did'nt tire of him over time,feeding a need Ennis desperatly needed, endearing himself to Ennis just by his preasence. It meant Jack thought somehing of him. He was an important part of someone's life. . He was worth keeping.
I think Ennis was curiously, but secretly attracted to Jack... from the start, but put that part of himself in check, compartmentalized somewhere in a dark corner of his mind, only coming forth when he's * caught off guard* so to speak. When Ennis unconsiously drops that damn guard, it's like watching a flower bloom before your eyes. His smile has energy, and you just know , it's Jack that makes him happy.
Jack, by just being Jack, in close proximity to Ennis on somewhat of a constant basic was able to engage Ennis and bring him out along with this part of him. This quiet, pent-up man who coud'nt recognize true unconditional love if it bit him, free choice robbed from him as a child, had something to say, though he let his actions mostly speak for him, Jack saw he had feelings, fears , likes and dislikes etc... did'nt talk much but, he was human and normal, vulnerable to love in a big way. No one else but Jack was able to do this, Jack saw him and made no judgements, loved Ennis for who he was, faults and all, He felt acceptance coming from Jack therefore he became comfortable with himself a little bit at a time. Ennis, the loner, had finally found a friend. Alma and Cassie could never do this.. He had also became comfortable living with fear and shame. It was all part of what made Ennis...Ennis.
I also feel Jack came to him at a point, 19 yrs. old when he is searching for self-indentification. The Brokeback experience and Jack, gave him the opportunity of a lifetime and the perfect person to let this repressed part of him surface. Still, he denies what he cannot deny, a true *Desperado* like the song by the Eagles says. There's always doubt in him, wether he's married, or with Jack.
