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Author Topic: So why post cards?  (Read 24557 times)

Offline BBBOY

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So why post cards?
« on: Mar 14, 2006, 08:53 PM »
You guys asked for it so here goes. When apart these men only communicated with post cards. 3 in the story and 4 in the movie. Except in the story where Ennis calls Jack to inform him of his divorce they never talk except when together. In the story there is the "Friend this is long over due" card, the "You Bet" card and the "Deceased" card. In the movie there was the "See you in a couple of weeks" card. They both seemed so afraid to put in writing their real feelings toward each other and it seems they could not even talk about it over the phone. I do remember from the time that long distance calls were considered expensive so that could explain their reluctance to phone each other. But there were never any letters. I have my own opinions about this "bitch of a unsatisfactory situation" , but would love to hear what you all have to say about it.
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There was some open space between what he knew and what he tried to believe, but nothing could be done about it, and if you can't fix it you've got to stand it.

Ennis, riding against the wind back to the sheep in the treacherous, drunken darken light, thought he'd never had such a good time, felt he could paw the white out of the moon.

Sunflower79

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #1 on: Mar 16, 2006, 07:53 PM »
thats an interesting question you raise about why the only wrote postcards..my guess would be is that they didn't want anyone to know or suspect the true nature of their relationship...so they kept the postcards short and sweet without revealing thier true feelings for each other and the the truth about thier relationship. Maybe they felt with letter writing it could later lead to people finding out the truth of thier relationship. Also as you stated that telephone calling was expensive back.
They did exprress there feelings towards each other when they were together if not in words then in action and in thier love for each other. Maybe being guys in all they didn't want to write letters because they may have thought of it as something girls do write letters and men only write postcards that are brief and two the point...(bad stereotype I know..bad bad bad I know.) Also the men and women communicate is different when you are communicating with someone of the same sex. There is a certain amount of understanding when dealing with someone of the same sex..when its man and women we tend to think differently from each other and also in how we relate to each other is different too..just my opinion..
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Offline BBBOY

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #2 on: Mar 20, 2006, 01:15 AM »
I agree with you Sunflower. It was a straight guy thing. Keep it open and above board and no one will suspect. Too bad Alma already knew. :-\
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There was some open space between what he knew and what he tried to believe, but nothing could be done about it, and if you can't fix it you've got to stand it.

Ennis, riding against the wind back to the sheep in the treacherous, drunken darken light, thought he'd never had such a good time, felt he could paw the white out of the moon.

Offline Lost_Girl

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #3 on: Mar 20, 2006, 04:42 PM »
Postcard is the easier way. It's impersonal or at least you can choose the picture behind. Not a lot place for write, you must go to point.
Letter are totally personal, you can write a lot of thing and it's not very discreet.
And we all know that men, don't like write long letter and talk about their feeling huh ? (I'm joking!!)
And for the phone, not everybody like it, it's a very special way.

SMS.. would be easier for Ennis and Jack ... Ok..I ==>
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Offline vankwok

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #4 on: Mar 21, 2006, 10:56 AM »
actually I have one more question on the post cards (and please forgive me if it is already answered)

why Jack will know Ennis' address after their first depart? They have not contacted each other since the BBM adventure.
Or there are something like phone book that time which Jack could search for Ennis' address???

(sorry if this question sounds stupid...I am from hk and find it problematic)
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Offline Patriot1

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #5 on: Mar 21, 2006, 11:08 AM »
Quote from: vankwok on Mar 21, 2006, 10:56 AM
actually I have one more question on the post cards (and please forgive me if it is already answered)

why Jack will know Ennis' address after their first depart? They have not contacted each other since the BBM adventure.
Or there are something like phone book that time which Jack could search for Ennis' address???

(sorry if this question sounds stupid...I am from hk and find it problematic)

vankwok there is so much to absorb in this movie there is no such thing as a stupid question.

Jack sent the post card to General Delivery because he didn't know where Ennis was.  There is some speculation that Jack might have sent several cards to several different towns looking for Ennis hoping one of them would find him.

In case you are not familiar with General Delivery, in the United States you can send mail to a person in care of General Delivery in a specific town as Jack did.

Mr. Ennis del Mar
General Delivery
Riverton, Wyoming

The post office will deliver it to you if they know who you are and know where you live or, they will hold it at the post office for 30 days. If you come in and ask if you have any mail in General Delivery they will look and if there is mail to the name you gave they will check your identification to make sure you are that person and if you are they will give you the mail.

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Offline vankwok

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #6 on: Mar 22, 2006, 08:05 AM »
thank you so much for your answer Patriot1!!!

It makes more sense to me now. And it is my first time to hear about the General Delivery thing.
And it certainly deepens my sorrow too, that Jack is trying so hard to love Ennis...

anyway, thanks again!
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Offline n061857

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #7 on: Mar 22, 2006, 10:02 AM »
In addition to all the previously mentioned reasons for postcards vs. letters,  the most obvious reason is that a postcard denotes a feeling of, "We have nothing to hide.  Anyone can read this." 

Actually I didn't pay enough attention in the movie to see if the first postcard was a picture postcard.  If it was, there really is no room for a return address.

In the story Ennis calls Alma from the motel room.  In the movie I don't remember Ennis ever having a phone.  Did he?  It would make more sense for me that he does not.  "You ain't got nothing, you don"t want nothing."
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Offline BBBOY

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #8 on: Mar 22, 2006, 06:52 PM »
Quote from: n061857 on Mar 22, 2006, 10:02 AM
Actually I didn't pay enough attention in the movie to see if the first postcard was a picture postcard.  If it was, there really is no room for a return address.

In the story Ennis calls Alma from the motel room.  In the movie I don't remember Ennis ever having a phone.  Did he?  It would make more sense for me that he does not.  "You ain't got nothing, you don"t want nothing."

Both the first and second post cards Alma saw had pictures of mountains on the front. Ennis's card to Jack which was returned was just a blank, what used to be called a penny postcard which is what they cost years ago. I doubt Ennis ever could afford a phone. It's why Jack and Ennis always used postcards.
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There was some open space between what he knew and what he tried to believe, but nothing could be done about it, and if you can't fix it you've got to stand it.

Ennis, riding against the wind back to the sheep in the treacherous, drunken darken light, thought he'd never had such a good time, felt he could paw the white out of the moon.

Offline *Froggy*

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #9 on: Mar 22, 2006, 07:08 PM »
Quote from: n061857 on Mar 22, 2006, 10:02 AM
In addition to all the previously mentioned reasons for postcards vs. letters,  the most obvious reason is that a postcard denotes a feeling of, "We have nothing to hide.  Anyone can read this." 

Yes, very true...but for me it is mainly because that was how Ennis and Jack communicated.
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Offline Patriot1

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #10 on: Mar 22, 2006, 07:35 PM »
Quote from: BBBOY on Mar 22, 2006, 06:52 PM
Ennis's card to Jack which was returned was just a blank, what used to be called a penny postcard which is what they cost years ago.

Also the first card Ennis sent, "You Bet" was a blank post card.

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Offline n061857

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #11 on: Mar 22, 2006, 08:09 PM »
I watched again today.  The first postcard from Jack was a picture postcard with no return address.  However, when Ennis writes out his postcard - penny, thanks - he has a brown piece of paper with an address (?)  Ennis could have looked up Jack's address.  Jack had a phone.  Since Ennis's postcard was not a picture postcard, there would have been room for an address.  That could explain how Jack knew where he lived.          Thanks all.
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Offline BBBOY

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #12 on: Mar 22, 2006, 09:03 PM »
Quote from: Patriot1 on Mar 22, 2006, 07:35 PM
Quote from: BBBOY on Mar 22, 2006, 06:52 PM
Ennis's card to Jack which was returned was just a blank, what used to be called a penny postcard which is what they cost years ago.

Also the first card Ennis sent, "You Bet" was a blank post card.



Very true. Ennis was a penny postcard kind of guy.
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There was some open space between what he knew and what he tried to believe, but nothing could be done about it, and if you can't fix it you've got to stand it.

Ennis, riding against the wind back to the sheep in the treacherous, drunken darken light, thought he'd never had such a good time, felt he could paw the white out of the moon.

Offline BBBOY

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #13 on: Mar 22, 2006, 09:05 PM »
Quote from: n061857 on Mar 22, 2006, 08:09 PM
I watched again today.  The first postcard from Jack was a picture postcard with no return address.  However, when Ennis writes out his postcard - penny, thanks - he has a brown piece of paper with an address (?)  Ennis could have looked up Jack's address.  Jack had a phone.  Since Ennis's postcard was not a picture postcard, there would have been room for an address.  That could explain how Jack knew where he lived.          Thanks all.

Ennis sent penny postcards, Jack sent pictured ones. The realist and the dreamer or visionary. What do you all think?
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There was some open space between what he knew and what he tried to believe, but nothing could be done about it, and if you can't fix it you've got to stand it.

Ennis, riding against the wind back to the sheep in the treacherous, drunken darken light, thought he'd never had such a good time, felt he could paw the white out of the moon.

Offline *Froggy*

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #14 on: Mar 23, 2006, 06:46 AM »
Quote from: BBBOY on Mar 22, 2006, 09:05 PM
Ennis sent penny postcards, Jack sent pictured ones. The realist and the dreamer or visionary. What do you all think?

Good one.
Well also Ennis did not have much money, and was probably in too much a hurry to reply, to have time to browse the shops for a postcard...a penny postcard was probably the quickest and easiest solution too!
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Offline n061857

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #15 on: Mar 23, 2006, 08:59 AM »
Quote from: BBBOY on Mar 22, 2006, 09:05 PM
Ennis sent penny postcards, Jack sent pictured ones. The realist and the dreamer or visionary. What do you all think?

I think this is a good one.  I think you should add it to the thread on contrasts in the movie!               - Nancy
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Offline BBBOY

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #16 on: Mar 23, 2006, 05:49 PM »
Quote from: n061857 on Mar 23, 2006, 08:59 AM
Quote from: BBBOY on Mar 22, 2006, 09:05 PM
Ennis sent penny postcards, Jack sent pictured ones. The realist and the dreamer or visionary. What do you all think?

I think this is a good one.  I think you should add it to the thread on contrasts in the movie!               - Nancy

Thanks Nancy, I may do that.
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There was some open space between what he knew and what he tried to believe, but nothing could be done about it, and if you can't fix it you've got to stand it.

Ennis, riding against the wind back to the sheep in the treacherous, drunken darken light, thought he'd never had such a good time, felt he could paw the white out of the moon.

Offline WyMe

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #17 on: Aug 16, 2006, 05:21 PM »
I hope you don't mind me opening up this thread again, but I'm new!  A couple of things I don't get in the "you bet" postcard scene.  It looks like Ennis is copying Jack's address from a sealed down but crumpled manila envelope - where did that come from? (It looks like he puts it in his shirt pocket as he leaves the post office) and the address he puts on the card is "Jack Twist, RFD2, Childress, Texas".  What does RFD2 mean?  Is it a US Post term, like "general delivery"?   (Thanks for explaining that "general delivery" term for us Brits, Patriot1!
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Offline BBBOY

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #18 on: Aug 16, 2006, 05:42 PM »
Quote from: WyMe on Aug 16, 2006, 05:21 PM
I hope you don't mind me opening up this thread again, but I'm new!  A couple of things I don't get in the "you bet" postcard scene.  It looks like Ennis is copying Jack's address from a sealed down but crumpled manila envelope - where did that come from? (It looks like he puts it in his shirt pocket as he leaves the post office) and the address he puts on the card is "Jack Twist, RFD2, Childress, Texas".  What does RFD2 mean?  Is it a US Post term, like "general delivery"?   (Thanks for explaining that "general delivery" term for us Brits, Patriot1!

Actually, thank you for opening up the thread again. I was disappointed when it didn't go anywhere the first time. RFD stands for Rural Farm Delivery I believe and the 2 would have been the driver's route. Different car drivers drive different country roads to deliver the mail in rural areas. How Ennis got Jack's address is debatable as it clearly was not on Jack's postcard. Today we can find people's address on the internet but back in 1967 it would have required a call to telephone information in Childress, TX. I think Ennis obviously called telephone information in Childress, TX and secured Jack's address, scribbled it on an envelope or piece of paper and then copied it as he addressed the postcard.

It is interesting to think that Jack may have left out the return address in order to see if Ennis cared enough to do the research necessary to send a postcard back to him. It certainly would have been a signal to him that Ennis wanted to see him, which would have made his visit to Riverton worthwhile.
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There was some open space between what he knew and what he tried to believe, but nothing could be done about it, and if you can't fix it you've got to stand it.

Ennis, riding against the wind back to the sheep in the treacherous, drunken darken light, thought he'd never had such a good time, felt he could paw the white out of the moon.

Offline welshwitch

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #19 on: Aug 16, 2006, 06:08 PM »
And they are a familiar but casual means of communication. A letter is sealed and looks as if it might hide something - a postcard is open and doesn't. The pictures of the montains also lend credence to the fishing story - they make it look as it the two of them shared some sort of outdoor activities/interests ( no, not those!).
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Offline Patriot1

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #20 on: Aug 16, 2006, 07:59 PM »
Quote from: BBBOY on Aug 16, 2006, 05:42 PM
Quote from: WyMe on Aug 16, 2006, 05:21 PM

...and the address he puts on the card is "Jack Twist, RFD2, Childress, Texas".  What does RFD2 mean?  Is it a US Post term, like "general delivery"?   (Thanks for explaining that "general delivery" term for us Brits, Patriot1!


RFD stands for Rural Farm Delivery I believe and the 2 would have been the driver's route. Different car drivers drive different country roads to deliver the mail in rural areas.


Actually, RFD stands for Rural Free Delivery and the 2 was of course the route.

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Offline Patriot1

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #21 on: Aug 16, 2006, 08:01 PM »
Quote from: welshwitch on Aug 16, 2006, 06:08 PM

And they are a familiar but casual means of communication. A letter is sealed and looks as if it might hide something - a postcard is open and doesn't. The pictures of the montains also lend credence to the fishing story - they make it look as it the two of them shared some sort of outdoor activities/interests ( no, not those!).


I agree Welshwitch. What better place to hide something than in plain sight.

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Offline BBBOY

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #22 on: Aug 16, 2006, 08:12 PM »
Quote from: Patriot1 on Aug 16, 2006, 07:59 PM
Quote from: BBBOY on Aug 16, 2006, 05:42 PM
Quote from: WyMe on Aug 16, 2006, 05:21 PM

...and the address he puts on the card is "Jack Twist, RFD2, Childress, Texas".  What does RFD2 mean?  Is it a US Post term, like "general delivery"?   (Thanks for explaining that "general delivery" term for us Brits, Patriot1!


RFD stands for Rural Farm Delivery I believe and the 2 would have been the driver's route. Different car drivers drive different country roads to deliver the mail in rural areas.


Actually, RFD stands for Rural Free Delivery and the 2 was of course the route.



Thank you, I knew someone would know.  O0
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There was some open space between what he knew and what he tried to believe, but nothing could be done about it, and if you can't fix it you've got to stand it.

Ennis, riding against the wind back to the sheep in the treacherous, drunken darken light, thought he'd never had such a good time, felt he could paw the white out of the moon.

Offline Toadily

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #23 on: Aug 19, 2006, 03:55 PM »
IN the short story, Jack gives a return address, in the movie they leave it off. Not sure why, might just clutter up the image of the postcard artistically (and Ang figured we would forgive the plot hole)

I love the idea of the Jack/picture card dreamer and Ennis-penny card realist.  And then note Ennis does get a picture card to hang with the shirts...allowing his dreams. 

Sigh
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Offline tpe

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #24 on: Aug 19, 2006, 04:37 PM »
Quote from: Toadily on Aug 19, 2006, 03:55 PM

I love the idea of the Jack/picture card dreamer and Ennis-penny card realist.  And then note Ennis does get a picture card to hang with the shirts...allowing his dreams. 
Sigh

Wonderful, Toadily.


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Offline BBBOY

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #25 on: Aug 19, 2006, 06:27 PM »
Quote from: tpe on Aug 19, 2006, 04:37 PM
Quote from: Toadily on Aug 19, 2006, 03:55 PM

I love the idea of the Jack/picture card dreamer and Ennis-penny card realist.  And then note Ennis does get a picture card to hang with the shirts...allowing his dreams. 
Sigh

Wonderful, Toadily.




Absolutly! Excellent Toadily.  O0
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There was some open space between what he knew and what he tried to believe, but nothing could be done about it, and if you can't fix it you've got to stand it.

Ennis, riding against the wind back to the sheep in the treacherous, drunken darken light, thought he'd never had such a good time, felt he could paw the white out of the moon.

Offline welshwitch

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #26 on: Aug 20, 2006, 12:38 AM »
Isn't it amazing that the choice of something tiny like a postcard can tell us about someone's financial position (Jack's colored cards are more expensive that Ennis's plain ones) as well as their character - Jack is more flamboyant, more of a dreamer - and can show the change in a character - Ennis buying a colored picture of BBM to put with the shirts. One little detail - no wonder we watch this movie over and over.
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Offline BBBOY

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #27 on: Aug 20, 2006, 07:30 PM »
Quote from: welshwitch on Aug 20, 2006, 12:38 AM
Isn't it amazing that the choice of something tiny like a postcard can tell us about someone's financial position (Jack's colored cards are more expensive that Ennis's plain ones) as well as their character - Jack is more flamboyant, more of a dreamer - and can show the change in a character - Ennis buying a colored picture of BBM to put with the shirts. One little detail - no wonder we watch this movie over and over.

It just goes to show you that you don't need volumns of words to make a hugh statement.
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There was some open space between what he knew and what he tried to believe, but nothing could be done about it, and if you can't fix it you've got to stand it.

Ennis, riding against the wind back to the sheep in the treacherous, drunken darken light, thought he'd never had such a good time, felt he could paw the white out of the moon.

Offline EnnisTwist

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #28 on: Oct 19, 2006, 07:33 AM »
So besides the 'keep it open so no one supects' part i think there's another reason the wrote postcards instead of letters: Ennis is (as already established) a man of very few words (compared to Ennis' I bet postcard Jacks previous one seemed like a novel..) and therefore would be pretty uncomfortable with writing long letters to Jack. Besides what would they write each other?? That they miss each other (doesn't seems likely for either of them plus they both probably knew that aready to some leve), what they've done in the meantime (they didn't do much of that either when they were together)...
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Offline welshwitch

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Re: So why post cards?
« Reply #29 on: Oct 19, 2006, 08:34 AM »
So the limitations of the postcards are a sort of concealment of how much they didn't have to say to each other? That's an interesting idea.
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