kathy, I do think you have made an important observation here: the relationship between Jack and Ennis was dynamic rather than static. It is easy to think that their relationship did not change that much in the almost 20 years of knowing each other, until we call to mind the important shifts and movements in the interveneing years. At the risk of generalization, I would say that Jack's view on his own sexuality was a journey of gradual acknowledgement and openess, whereas Ennis's traced an arc from caution to openess, and final introversion. It can be argued that their sexual development traced similar paths. But what is important to note that in his lonely end, Ennis did come to a realization of his true and deep love for Jack. If this implied gayness, then so be it. But if it meant something that went beyond a black and white question of gayness, then we should also be prepared to say that love, like life itself, is can be as dynamic as it can be constant. Perhaps in the end, Ennis's love was more spiritual rather than physical, and we know that on a spiritual plane, distinctions on gender are secondary.
