Dear God, I had not noticed this. aintfoolin, I must look at this carefully. That is indeed quite a deliberate action. Very bold, even for someone with Jack's experience.
The art of seduction is isndeed an Art. WE often say that the FNIT was so rough and tumble.
Now, I think it has a severe underlying grace.
You are so right, T., and beautiful words. FNIT not just a drunken fumble, but replete with that art of seduction. I want to go back and look at that if I can see that Jack takes Ennis's hand again when they are forehead-to-forehead, before he unbuckles.
As to drinking... I've been sober 21 years, but I certainly put in my time drinking, and grew up in a drinking household and in drinking times with drinking friends, etc. There's drinking, and there's high, tipsy, which doesn't mean drunk. I really don't think they drank all that much. Around the campfire every night, that's just what you did. I certainly did that on all my camping trips back then. I think Jack's drinking "a lot" was later, as others have mentioned.
But as to that night, FNIT, I think it's as Thomas said, that Ennis drank more than he might have, to give himself that liquid courage so to speak; Jack drank maybe less than he might have, to be sure to make what he wanted to happen happen.
kathy