Topic: Did Jack finally give up on Ennis? - possible spoilers

[jimnick]

Hey Stephan!

Looks like we even dress alike! (avatar)

Cool, huh?

I'm glad to see you're so active and participating in the boards!  It is really great to read your thoughts and others.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate everything I read.

Best to you!

Jim

[francis.shim]

Two other clues, perhaps : at the last argument, when Ennis collapses on the ground, he and Jack struggle and then Ennis is clinging onto Jack for dear life (btw, I think I heard him say "I can't stand it"). I think that even if Jack had already decided he was going to try to give up on Ennis, that incident would have changed his mind.
Secondly, if Jack was giving up, he would have told Ennis so. But Ennis writes that card which is later returned marked "deceased". He wouldn't have written if Jack had given up.
Stephan

Hey Stephan,

... also in Annie Proulx' short story right after Ennis collapse onto the ground (into Jack's arms) she wrote:

    "Jesus," said Jack.  "Ennis?" But before [Jack] was out of the truck, trying to
    guess if it was a heart attack or the overflow of an incendiary rage, Ennis
    was back on his feet, and somehow, as a coat hanger is straightened to open
    a locked car and then bent again to its original shape, they torqued things
    almost to where they had been, for what they'd siad was no news.  Nothing
    ended, nothing begun, nothing resolved.

It was clear, nothing has changed.  Ennis and Jack were still in love, and they both felt that they could not do anything about that love.  So chances are that Jack went away trying to change everything else in his life, because his love for Ennis was forever.

Peace,
Frank

[Mabon]

I've seen the movie twice, and the last time I tried to look closely at the 3 guys who were hitting Jack in the few seconds you're given to see during Ennis's phone call to Jack's wife. 

I could be wrong, and I'll be hitting pause when the DVD comes out, but one of the guys looked like the bearded guy that asks Jack if he's interested in coming to his bosses cabin to drink whiskey and fish to get away from his talkative wife.  Maybe all the guy meant was to get away with a friend from his yammering wife and Jack thought he meant for a "tryst" and responded and that's how he wound up getting clobbered with the tire iron.

In the short story it doesn't say anything about the circumstances around Jack being attacked and killed, just that Ennis figures out that it was the tire iron and not the tire exploding that did it.

Again, I'll be hitting pause with the DVD to see if one of the attackers was the bearded guy with the talkative wife -- they may have put something like that in the movie to connect the loose ends, who knows?

[francis.shim]

I've seen the movie twice, and the last time I tried to look closely at the 3 guys who were hitting Jack in the few seconds you're given to see during Ennis's phone call to Jack's wife. 

I could be wrong, and I'll be hitting pause when the DVD comes out, but one of the guys looked like the bearded guy that asks Jack if he's interested in coming to his bosses cabin to drink whiskey and fish to get away from his talkative wife.  Maybe all the guy meant was to get away with a friend from his yammering wife and Jack thought he meant for a "tryst" and responded and that's how he wound up getting clobbered with the tire iron.

In the short story it doesn't say anything about the circumstances around Jack being attacked and killed, just that Ennis figures out that it was the tire iron and not the tire exploding that did it.

Again, I'll be hitting pause with the DVD to see if one of the attackers was the bearded guy with the talkative wife -- they may have put something like that in the movie to connect the loose ends, who knows?

Howdy,

There is a thread about Jack's death... I am at a lost where again... but take a look at what people have said about how Jack actually died.

Peace,
Frank

[stephan]

I swear... BBM's got me bad ! Stephan

[ethan]

There is a thread about Jack's death... I am at a lost where again... but take a look at what people have said about how Jack actually died.

Thanks, francis.shim. HERE is the topic about Jack's death.

button is located on the top of page which can be very helpful if you are looking for a particular topic or post.

[francis.shim]

There is a thread about Jack's death... I am at a lost where again... but take a look at what people have said about how Jack actually died.

Thanks, francis.shim. HERE is the topic about Jack's death.

button is located on the top of page which can be very helpful if you are looking for a particular topic or post.

Mighty thanks, ethan... I'm green at some of these buttons and things... plus my eyes and my ears ain't what they useta be!

Frank

[francis.shim]

I swear... BBM's got me bad ! Stephan

Not to worry, Stephan... you are in the right place!!!

BBM has gotten all of us here bad!

Peace,
Frank

[lacy8753]

tpe, I have argued your point often on the IMDB theads.  I think Jack either would have tried to have it both ways (no pun intended) with his ranch neighbor and still seeing Ennis.  This also could be a tool Jack was using to try to provoke Ennis to enough jealousy to force Ennis' hand.  I also am open to the suggestion that Jack mentions the "ranch neighbor" to his folks because he is temporarily bitter at that moment after the last meeting/confrontation.

And I still hold to this position for "story Jack" and "story Ennis."

However -

Other posters on the IMDB threads got me, on my 4th viewing of the film, to take a good look at the expression on "film Jack's" face immediately after the flashback scene, where we cut to the present day and see Jack's face watching his "other half" drive away.

I have to admit that Jake G's look on Jack's face is one mixed of the following: anger, sadness, resignation AND determination.

That brought me to the idea that perhaps "film Jack" was indeed preparing to find a way to "quit" Ennis.

Not that I like it.  Not that I think that would have been "appropriate" behavior for "film Jack."  But I now have to admit the possibility.

borger1582,  I do agree that Jack's final shot can indeed be interpreted as a look of determination.

However, I am sure you will agree with me that one statement in proximity to that scene makes it difficult to envision a final break: I wish I knew how to quit you.

The statement shows that Jack did not know how it was possible for him to live wthout some connection with Ennis  -- tenuous as that connection may be.

That Spring, at his parents' house, he probably wrestled with the possibility of how he could quit Ennis.  But the proximity of his parents' town to Riverton (where Ennis resided) would certainly NOT have isolated Jack if he did want to get over his relationship with Ennis.  Settling in Texas would have been a more effective strategy!

Hence, like you, I also suspect that this could possibly be interpreted as a way of making Ennis jealous -- enough to draw him into a commitment if he did so love Jack.  Or then again, would this strategy backfire (think about Ennis' threat to Jack)?

This is speculation.  But the above arguments imply that Jack was probably not 'over' with his 'other half.'

[Lars-Gunnar]

Hi everyone!

I saw the movie last night, for the 3rd time. After the 2nd viewing, I went away with a feeling that Jack's look on his face, watching Ennis leave after their last meeting, was determination to move on in his life, without Ennis. But after watching it one more time; I am not so sure about that anymore.

I think that the flashback to the embrace on Brokeback Mountain, was Jack's main reason to never quit on Ennis. His look on his face when Ennis is leaving that last time they meet, did not tell me that he has given up on Ennis. Yesterday I saw frustration and anger; that he would not see Ennis again as soon as he thought.  I think that Jack's love for Ennis was not something he could decide to quit; and as we all know - he says it out loud "I wish I knew how to quit you!". He just didn't know how. Even though he may not ever experience a moment like that hug on BBM, he is so deeply connected with Ennis; and Ennis compliments him in a way Jack know no one else ever will be able to. If Jack had not died; they would have met again in november.

So, leaving the Colosseum cinema in Oslo last night, I felt a little bit better about that... I think Jack loved Ennis so bad that he could never quit him. So about the "Jack quitting Ennis"-question, I am resting a little bit easier...

But, what made me real sad yesterday, was the glipmses of  Jack's possible violent death... If that was really happening, I started thinking about what went through Jack's mind those horrible last seconds of his life... I am sure that between all the terrible pain and shock he must have felt, Ennis must have been in his thoughts. One of his last conscious thoughts could very well be that "I will never see Ennis again".

The possibility of Jack's final moments being like that - realizing that his life was about to end, and that his true love was miles away, is too hard to take in...  :'(

I am sure thoughts about this will be haunting me today; as this film has done for weeks now... I know this is not what this thread is about, but I just had to share that... Seems like everytime I see the movie; there are new questions in my head afterwards...

[Patriot1]

Heath Ledger said during an interview:

"I hope it [the movie] sticks to them.
I hope it gets them thinking.
I hope it presents more questions than answers."

Well Heath, from what I have seen from this thread alone, you sure got your hopes fulfilled.

[scruffy]

Wow, I've never seen so many interpretations on one scene in my life.  This is amazing.  And just to think I've got one more.

The love between the two men is not in dispute.  Their love is just as strong as they parted for the last time as when they were first on Brokeback Mountain.  Jack may have thought of altering that part of his life in which Ennis refused to participate but I can't see the status quo on Brokeback Mountain ever fading.  It is no coincidence that Jack never mentions that their boss knew of their relationship on the mountain.  If Ennis knew then he'd perceive that not even the mountain is safe and Jack would loose that too.  In many ways Jack has tip toed around Ennis for twenty years.

I don't see the movie straying away from the book too much.  Nothing is resolved by the end of the last meeting.  If anything is learned it is how strong Ennis' love is for Jack.  We all have seen Jack open with his emotions while Ennis remained composed and stoic.  Jack has been aware that there have been sacrifices made on both sides even if he perceived his own sacrifices to be greater.  However, Ennis' emotional breakdown opens Jack's eyes to the absolute torture it has been for Ennis.  Jack learns that he is not the only one that hurts and the depth to which Ennis has been battling his personal demons.

Many people see this scene as a fight.  I see it as a love scene.  It is the only time Ennis truly makes his feelings known in the only way he knows how.  It's jealousy, dispair and love so strong it hurts.  Would you quit someone after learning what Jack learned then?
 

[monicita]

Stickler and Froggy (hi again

my weird feeling, watching the scene when Ennis hears about Randall, was that he was relieved in some way. He was devastated as well, no question about it, but I sometimes get the feeling that he wanted Jack to LIVE, to go and get a life, something he never was able to do. Look at the way he speaks to Carrie: "I was never much fun, was I?" He sees himself as deeply flawed ("I am nothing, I am nowhere", sob) and maybe, in a very weird way, he wanted Jack to be happy. Even though he wanted to kill him for being with someone else at the same time. At least I know, though it seems to be contradictory, it does happen (been through it myself). What do you think?

monicita

[tpe]

Many people see this scene as a fight.  I see it as a love scene.  It is the only time Ennis truly makes his feelings known in the only way he knows how.  It's jealousy, dispair and love so strong it hurts.  Would you quit someone after learning what Jack learned then?
 

This is so true.  Very beautifully stated...

[monicita]

Sigh, I agree about its being a love scene. Even though I might still think about finding another love. Love can be hell, sometimes and trying to hold on to hell, forever is not something I ever want to do again (once bitten and so on).

monicita

[francis.shim]

I don't see the movie straying away from the book too much.  Nothing is resolved by the end of the last meeting.  If anything is learned it is how strong Ennis' love is for Jack.  We all have seen Jack open with his emotions while Ennis remained composed and stoic.  Jack has been aware that there have been sacrifices made on both sides even if he perceived his own sacrifices to be greater.  However, Ennis' emotional breakdown opens Jack's eyes to the absolute torture it has been for Ennis.  Jack learns that he is not the only one that hurts and the depth to which Ennis has been battling his personal demons.

Many people see this scene as a fight.  I see it as a love scene.  It is the only time Ennis truly makes his feelings known in the only way he knows how.  It's jealousy, dispair and love so strong it hurts.  Would you quit someone after learning what Jack learned then?

Yes, this was one of the most passionate love scenes in the film... agonizing yet as Annie Proulx indicated it didn't resolve their anguish.  In this case, when they "fight" it is because they are so afraid of losing that passionate love that entwines them, but it is the same conflict over and over again... I don't have to say it, because you already know it.

Argh!  My heart just breaks everytime when I think of that scene...

Peace,
Frank

[Mabon]

From the information blurted out by Jack's father during Ennis' visit, it would seem that Jack had finally had enough and was ready to give up on Ennis, divorce his wife and move back home with his Texas ranch neighbor.

The story/movie wisely leaves this ambiguous because Jack died before any concrete action could have been taken.  Jack could have simply stated this on his last home visit as an expression of his frustration or bitterness at that particular moment.  Then again, he could have been completely serious about it.

Because I am totally besotted with the endurance and depth of Jack's and Ennis' relationship, I find it hard to accept that Jack really was serious in his avowed intention to 'break up' with Ennis.  But objectively speaking, it could have been inevitable...

Your thoughts...

I feel the same way, that Jack said it in frustration.  He seemed to usually go to his parents after spending a few days with Ennis, so he probably stayed with his parents after the big scene with Ennis's breakdown (their last scene together).

He was upset and was thinking he'd take his neighbor up on his offer to go to his bosses cabin, fish, drink whiskey, and Jack thought have a tryst of some sort. 

Jack was lonely and wanted to be with someone desperately -- not just have flings a few times a year.

I think his neighbor really only wanted to fish and drink whiskey and get away from his talkative wife, and Jack, thinking he was interested in more, put the moves on him, and that's when he got into trouble and wound up getting clobbered with the tire iron.

Aside from all of that, I think that Jack really was deeply in love with Ennis (I think it was mutual), so even if Jack found some other guy, I think he would have had a hard time staying away from Ennis.  I think it would have taken a lot of work on his part to ignore a postcard from Ennis, and I really don't think he would have done it -- he loved Ennis too much to  ignore him.  Otherwise he would have cut it off earlier during the 20 year relationship.

I also think that Jack's father and mother knew about Jack and put the pieces together about Ennis and Jack.  Jack's mother was compassionate and let him take the shirts and invited him back giving the sense that she considered him "family" in some way.  Jack's father, on the other hand, was hostile and may have taken something that Jack said in frustration and through it in Ennis's face to be hurtful.  He was hostile toward Ennis during his entire visit, while the mother was comforting, so I got the impression that the father was just trying to make a dig -- an expression of his hostility toward Jack and Ennis's relationship.  If you read the short story, it's very clear that Jack's father is hostile toward Jack throughout Jack's life.  I think the remark about the "other guy" was said to Ennis in hostility.  A nother clue -- watch the mother's face when the father is talking.

[tpe]

I feel the same way, that Jack said it in frustration.  He seemed to usually go to his parents after spending a few days with Ennis, so he probably stayed with his parents after the big scene with Ennis's breakdown (their last scene together).

He was upset and was thinking he'd take his neighbor up on his offer to go to his bosses cabin, fish, drink whiskey, and Jack thought have a tryst of some sort. 

Jack was lonely and wanted to be with someone desperately -- not just have flings a few times a year.

I think his neighbor really only wanted to fish and drink whiskey and get away from his talkative wife, and Jack, thinking he was interested in more, put the moves on him, and that's when he got into trouble and wound up getting clobbered with the tire iron.

Aside from all of that, I think that Jack really was deeply in love with Ennis (I think it was mutual), so even if Jack found some other guy, I think he would have had a hard time staying away from Ennis.  I think it would have taken a lot of work on his part to ignore a postcard from Ennis, and I really don't think he would have done it -- he loved Ennis too much to  ignore him.  Otherwise he would have cut it off earlier during the 20 year relationship.

I also think that Jack's father and mother knew about Jack and put the pieces together about Ennis and Jack.  Jack's mother was compassionate and let him take the shirts and invited him back giving the sense that she considered him "family" in some way.  Jack's father, on the other hand, was hostile and may have taken something that Jack said in frustration and through it in Ennis's face to be hurtful.  He was hostile toward Ennis during his entire visit, while the mother was comforting, so I got the impression that the father was just trying to make a dig -- an expression of his hostility toward Jack and Ennis's relationship.  If you read the short story, it's very clear that Jack's father is hostile toward Jack throughout Jack's life.  I think the remark about the "other guy" was said to Ennis in hostility.  A nother clue -- watch the mother's face when the father is talking.

Hello Mabon.  I think the Texas rancher was clearly putting the moves on Jack when he offered that they spend time in the cabin together.  But I do agree with you that Jack's father and mother probably put the pieces together and knew about Jack and Ennis.  Roberta Maxwell (who played Jack's mother) was magnificent, IMO.

[Mabon]

Hello Mabon.  I think the Texas rancher was clearly putting the moves on Jack when he offered that they spend time in the cabin together...

Hi tpe,

It sure seemed that way to me too, but the bearded guy doesn't say anything but "... fish, drink whiskey... get away..." and the scene ends with Jack looking as if he's trying to figure out exactly what's meant by it, he doesn't say a word.  Jack has this look of "does he mean what I think he means?", and then they cut to the next scene.

Then second time I saw the movie I thought that one of the guys (out of 3) that was hitting Jack with the tire iron (during that quick cut of that scene) resembled the bearded guy.  And if it was him, then Jack misread his invitation, and again, that invite scene does end with Jack looking like he's trying to calmly and discretely figure out exactly what the bearded guy is getting at.

The tire iron scene is such a fast cut that it's really hard to tell in the theater, so I'll be pausing the DVD to see for sure.  I could be wrong, but in the timeline of what happens there with Jack's murder, it could fit and would explain how Jack got into the tire iron situation.

It just leaves a little question for me, so I'll just have to wait for the DVD and pause and "slo-mo" through that scene to see the faces of the guys doing the hitting.

The bearded guy is not in the short story, so it's just a movie thing.  There's nothing else that indicates the specific events that lead to Jack being murdered, not in the movie or short story.

[tpe]

Hello Mabon.  I think the Texas rancher was clearly putting the moves on Jack when he offered that they spend time in the cabin together...

Hi tpe,

It sure seemed that way to me too, but the bearded guy doesn't say anything but "... fish, drink whiskey... get away..." and the scene ends with Jack looking as if he's trying to figure out exactly what's meant by it, he doesn't say a word.  Jack has this look of "does he mean what I think he means?", and then they cut to the next scene.

Then second time I saw the movie I thought that one of the guys (out of 3) that was hitting Jack with the tire iron (during that quick cut of that scene) resembled the bearded guy.  And if it was him, then Jack misread his invitation, and again, that invite scene does end with Jack looking like he's trying to calmly and discretely figure out exactly what the bearded guy is getting at.

The tire iron scene is such a fast cut that it's really hard to tell in the theater, so I'll be pausing the DVD to see for sure.  I could be wrong, but in the timeline of what happens there with Jack's murder, it could fit and would explain how Jack got into the tire iron situation.

It just leaves a little question for me, so I'll just have to wait for the DVD and pause and "slo-mo" through that scene to see the faces of the guys doing the hitting.

The bearded guy is not in the short story, so it's just a movie thing.  There's nothing else that indicates the specific events that lead to Jack being murdered, not in the movie or short story.

Hello Mabon.  It's great that this movie makes us think in many ways and in different directions.

In an earlier thread, there was mention of a scene that did not get included in the final version of the movie.  It supposedly shows the men who are about to kill Jack in a garage.  Apparently, they were mechanics...  I think the movie did good in not getting too specific about the nature of Jack's death (i.e., accident vs murder -- most probably murder).

[alicat]

>>>It is the only time Ennis truly makes his feelings known in the only way he knows how.  It's jealousy, dispair and love so strong it hurts.

I also think Ennis expresses his deep love for Jack when he kisses him after their 4 year reunion scene - when you consider how stoic/closed he was as a person both before and after that scene, it only reinforces how much in love he must have been to kiss Jack as he did - outside the house and with the chance that someone could see them.  And it wasn't just a kiss for the sake of it - it was deeply passionate - almost a longing kiss to hold him and never let go.  From the way Jake G played it (his response I mean) to that kiss, Jack too was taken aback by the force of it and what it implied.  What does anyone else think?  It was definitely out of character for Ennis to behave in that way IMO and wear his heart on his sleeve like that.  After all, he hadn't seen Jack for 4 years and he did not know how Jack really felt after all that time did he?  For all he knew, Jack may have rejected the kiss but Ennis didn't care.  Sorry, I know I'm overanalysing but as others have said, this film raises so many questions and 'what ifs' or 'what did that mean'?? etc.  I am not sure exactly why it has that effect but it definitely does! 

Take care all :-)

Alicat xxxx

[stickler]

Awww that scene was beautiful ... sent tingles down my back. :-)

[Mabon]

I also think Ennis expresses his deep love for Jack when he kisses him after their 4 year reunion scene

In the short story this happens on the landing right in front of the door and it's described as, "Their mouths fit together as easily as the right key turns the tumblers in a lock..." (or something to that effect -- again, I don't have the story in front of me). 

When they come out of the clinch, Ennis says..."Something that he only ever said to his horse and his little girls, "Little Darlin'..." (that part I remember pretty close to verbatim!)

So the Ennis's love was definitely there, and pretty intense.  You could tell he was falling in love (in the short story) prior to anything sexual taking place -- it's the way A.P. describes his behavior one night as he's riding back to the sheep after spending too long at the camp with Jack, "... he's so happy he could paw the white out of the moon."

And tpe:

...(i.e., accident vs murder -- most probably murder)...

the short story makes it clear that it's murder.  "...when Ennis knew it was the tire iron..." A.P. didn't say, "guessed" or "figured", he "knew it had been the tire iron", but that debate is in another thread, too!

[jimnick]

Jack could never give up on Ennis. 

He went to his grave loving Ennis. 

Ennis knows it, too.

Jim

[stephan]

Jack learns that he is not the only one that hurts and the depth to which Ennis has been battling his personal demons.

Many people see this scene as a fight.  I see it as a love scene.  It is the only time Ennis truly makes his feelings known in the only way he knows how.  It's jealousy, dispair and love so strong it hurts.  Would you quit someone after learning what Jack learned then?

Absolute truth beautifully said, Scruffy. I also think that because he had to battle his demons, he stayed a loner. He was fighting to hold on to his love and to his sanity.

[tpe]

And tpe:

...(i.e., accident vs murder -- most probably murder)...

the short story makes it clear that it's murder.  "...when Ennis knew it was the tire iron..." A.P. didn't say, "guessed" or "figured", he "knew it had been the tire iron", but that debate is in another thread, too!

For sure, the story is definite that in Ennis' mind, it was murder.  Also, someone I know who has directing experience tells me that they never do this kind of flashback (of the murder scene) in a movie unless it was much more than a suggestion.

But in the final analysis, Proulx leaves some room for ambiguity.  If you remember the last line of the story, there was some space between what Ennis knew and what he believed...

[jimnick]

And tpe:

...(i.e., accident vs murder -- most probably murder)...

the short story makes it clear that it's murder.  "...when Ennis knew it was the tire iron..." A.P. didn't say, "guessed" or "figured", he "knew it had been the tire iron", but that debate is in another thread, too!

For sure, the story is definite that in Ennis' mind, it was murder.  Also, someone I know who has directing experience tells me that they never do this kind of flashback (of the murder scene) in a movie unless it was much more than a suggestion.

But in the final analysis, Proulx leaves some room for ambiguity.  If you remember the last line of the story, there was some space between what Ennis knew and what he believed...

And, ... this is from the short story, "Ennis didn't know about the accident for months until his postcard to Jack saying that November still looked like the first chance came back stamped DECEASED..."

Jim

[Mabon]

...If you remember the last line of the story, there was some space between what Ennis knew and what he believed...

I thought this line had to do with Ennis's sexuality and innability to accept it

from the book: "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."

I read this as having more to do with Ennis's sexuality and inner state, not about the way Jack was killed.  Because of his innability to accept his sexuality, he was somewhat disconnected to himself and lived out his life that way in relative isolation.  That's how I read that line, I didn't take it as if it had anything to do with Jack's death. 

The paragraph prior to this line is about Jack coming to him in his dreams -- after he gets the postcard of Brokeback Mountain, so I read the last line of the story as addressing Ennis's emotional state primarily and then having some implication on how he lives out his life: "... if you can't fix it you've got to stand it." 

Pretty sad.   :'(

[tpe]

...If you remember the last line of the story, there was some space between what Ennis knew and what he believed...

I thought this line had to do with Ennis's sexuality and innability to accept it

from the book: "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."

I read this as having more to do with Ennis's sexuality and inner state, not about the way Jack was killed.  Because of his innability to accept his sexuality, he was somewhat disconnected to himself and lived out his life that way in relative isolation.  That's how I read that line, I didn't take it as if it had anything to do with Jack's death. 

The paragraph prior to this line is about Jack coming to him in his dreams -- after he gets the postcard of Brokeback Mountain, so I read the last line of the story as addressing Ennis's emotional state primarily and then having some implication on how he lives out his life: "... if you can't fix it you've got to stand it." 

Pretty sad.   :'(

Mabon, we don't have to agree in this.   But may I call your attention to the reference made to the can of beans that sometimes transforms into a tire-iron in Ennis' dreams about Jack.  This establishes the conflicting views surrounding Jack's death in Ennis' subconscious.  That is why he sometimes wakes up either in a state of erotic release or in a state of emotional collapse -- depending on which image (can of beans or tire-iron) captures hold of him.

It is the can of beans vs tire-iron dichotomy in Ennis' dreams which is referenced by the last line, IMO.

But you are right: pretty sad in any case.  Thanks.

[proulxfan]

There is no question in my mind regarding Jack's continuing love for Ennis after the love/fight scene. But after a 3rd viewing today, in watching Jack's face as Ennis drives away, I found myself pondering the possibility that having witnessed the depths of Ennis's agony and hearing him say "I can't stand to go on like this", that he might have decided to move on to spare Ennis further anguish. The essence of true love is putting another's needs and well being ahead of our own, and the the thought of putting Ennis through any more of this may have finally become unbearable for him. Think about how powerful the visual image of Ennis trying to jam the tears back is, and the absolute heartbreak in his voice. Jack knows by now Ennis isn't going to be able to change. I'm thinking he may have been saying ''farewell" in his mind during that shot. This of course makes the shot immediately preceding this, the remembered and treasured embrace from behind even more poignant, as if he knows he will never experience it again. He is letting go of that which is most dear to him.
In this way, I don't think Jack ever really "cheats" on Ennis; he may be resigned to moving on and "settling" for a lesser relationship, but his feelings for Ennis will always be "a force of nature".
This line of analysis makes possible the following:
Jack: " I wish I knew how to quit you!"
Ennis "Well why don't you Jack? Why don't you just let me be? Your'e the reason I'm like this...nothing...and nowhere...I can't stand to go on like this!"
Jack makes the decision to let go of Ennis in order to lessen Ennis's pain.
After Jack's death, Ennis learns through the phone call to Jack's wife and visit with his parents both the depth of Jacks love for him and his substitution of-Randall?-for Ennis in his plans/fantasy to settle on his parents' ranch. Then he finds the shirts in Jack's closet, with Jack's arms symbolically wrapped around Ennis.
Thus a possible ending to our favorite unfinished sentence:
"Jack, I swear... I didn't mean it."
Any thoughts?