Topic: Poverty

[n061857]

I know there have been discussions before about Ennis's poverty, but I just can't find them.  Saw BBM again today and was touched by the fact that Ennis not only is so poor at the beginning that all his wordly possessions don't even fill up half a grocery bag, but he also smokes half a cigarette and saves the rest.  Now that is poor.  I feel so bad for him.  I wonder if he had any money for a drink in that bar.  He must have.  He would never have let Jack buy it for him.          - Nancy

[BBBOY]

I know there have been discussions before about Ennis's poverty, but I just can't find them.  Saw BBM again today and was touched by the fact that Ennis not only is so poor at the beginning that all his wordly possessions don't even fill up half a grocery bag, but he also smokes half a cigarette and saves the rest.  Now that is poor.  I feel so bad for him.  I wonder if he had any money for a drink in that bar.  He must have.  He would never have let Jack buy it for him.          - Nancy

Nancy, having had some experience with poverty when I was Ennis's age and now when I'm my age I can tell you that one learns to exist and prioritize. You go without what you feel you don't need and sacrifice for what you feel you do need. I came from an upper middleclass environment which I rejected years ago for various reasons. I met a partner and we built a pretty good life up, had a 5 bedroom house and all the trimmings but it wasn't me, it wasn't what I wanted or needed. So I lost it and left him. Now I pray my car holds together on a day to day basis. My mother and brother don't get it that I just can't go out an buy a car. Dah................I hardly make monthly expenses.  I'm at a point where I want to just reduce it all to me, my computer, the TV and DVD player, my bed and my bird. (LOL now if that isn't a ridiculous list I'll eat my hat!). Silly priorities. Point is Ennis could afford a drink in the bar that first day by conserving his cigarettes. He's a survivor, been one since his parents died. 

[n061857]

I hear you,  BBBoy.  Five years ago I left my 100,000/year job, that I hated to stay home with my kids.  Although this salary is not extravagant, it gave us combined with my husband's salary a comfortable life.  We have definitely simplified our lives since then.  My family laughs at me that my greatest joy each week is looking at how much I saved using coupons on my grocery receipt.  Honestly, I'd like to simplify my life even more, but my husband still has monetary aspirations.  Point is it still hurts me to see people struggle to the point that Ennis does.

In some other thread someone felt that Ennis resented Jack's acquisitions.  I never saw this.   I kept waiting for Jack to say, "We can meet in August, Ennis.  I'll give you the child support money."  But I guess he knew Ennis would never take it.  I admire this in Ennis.  He had his pride.  Unfortunately, he took this to the extreme and it led to his demise.       - Nancy