Good point, Carmilla. I do think that roles were not as tightly fixed as we sometimes tend to think, especially with reference to certain scenes. SNIT is of course a wonderful example, as you point out.
I also don't see Ennis as dominant in everything, although I will say that in the end, it is a matter of taste on how we choose to extrapolate their roles beyond the scenes and the story itself.
In a general sense we can speak of one of them as "dominant". Some one on top and some one on the bottom, "submissive". The one on top being thought of as the dominant one.
But really, just because one is *bottom* , does that mean that one was not in a dominant position? Passive-dominance? There are so many variations and positions that warrant the lables "dominate "or "submissive", top or bottom. If it was *oral*, who would be considered dominant? , giver or reciever? Is either partner submissive? I feel both are giving and getting equally, can't have one, without the other.
It stuck me that after what had transpired in FNIT, Jack was there, in full view of Ennis, undressing though within the tent, he knew Ennis was still in camp and Ennis watches him do it. Did Ennis see this as an invitation by Jack to join him again? A challenge of his will? While Ennis sat on the log , he kept looking over at Jack taking off his clothes off . What's up with that? Jack just waited and Ennis came in. How much control did Jack have? I'd say alot! seductive? yes but was he concious of what he did to Ennis? Seems to have Ennis pretty much figured out despite the converstion on the hill. Forget what Ennis says he is, the point is ...what's he gonna do...?What does Ennis do? ..exactly what Jack wants him to do. That's Jack's control over Ennis, concious of it or not. Ennis wants and needs Jack.
Imo, it is all in their minds, what role they felt they were taking wether it's Jack or Ennis, though Jack did have much control over Ennis without having to say a word. The terms *dominant* and *submissive* have certain conatations imo, that one had more control over the other in this case ,in a physical sense.. Pychologically it's on a different level. It is more potent, more personally fuffilling. One can say the whole theme in the scene of SNIT was to show Jack's role as the guider, the active one, but that Ennis has certain personality traits that still show him hesitant, unsure of who he his , or why he is doing this, but also willing to explore it further.. Content to have Jack take the lead.
To me, it is a matter of how much control over his body is he willing to give at the point of SNIT. His comfort level. Enough to alow himself to be penetrated? Well, I don't know, This is Ennis, the same Ennis who can't hold Jack face to face because it's another man he held, the same Ennis who swore he was'nt *queer* at first light.. Not to say there was'nt a huge revelation , but Ennis, conflicted within himself wether he can accept this need for another man sexually on a continuous , unconditional basis. What would that say about Ennis and who he was? Looking at it from the physical aspects of what he shared with Jack, he should have been able to admit he, Ennis Del Mar, was in love with a man , but why could'nt he?
It's another part of the film that leaves much open to speculation. Could Jack break through these barriers in one night because Ennis entered the tent??
On the other hand, it's watch what Ennis does, rather than what he says, but it's what he feels that matters. Feel that Ennis and Jack are both very attracted to the * masculinity* in each other, making roles indistinguisable. I think he entered SNIT having no idea what would transpire , but felt ready to find out for himself if Jack was the one.To search jack's beautiful eyes for more of discoveries of an emotional ,and mental sense than physically. Did Ennis "bottom" in SNIT?
I really don't know,, I'll concede there is a possility, but I still have doubts.
Based on their personality traits basically ,Jack is more flexible and open to his role or choices ,sexual or otherwise, a part of his basic personality,, more freely accepting of any role he was asked to be in with Ennis, but I feel that at no time did he feel unequal , or submissive during sex. in SNIT, he would taken things slow, but that's just my opinion., more of feeling each other out more establishment of certain "roles*, getting Ennis used to a mutual understanding of what was happening to them mentally, though I feel some kind of sex took place.
I do think that eventually Ennis and Jack tried every position known to man , partaking freely whenever ,or where ever they could get it. Equal in whatever role or position they chose to take, but ,... all over a period of time within that summer on Brokeback, then long term, thru the yrs., found their preference or niche. God, I wish there was a scene including them making love, when they get older.... Sorry, Rambling on, Just MHO. Thanx.
