Author Topic: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On  (Read 32103 times)

Offline forbiddenlovers

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Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« on: Apr 18, 2006, 03:12 PM »
Something popped into my head last night as I watched BBM for the zillionth time since I bought the DVD, but as I'm typing this, I think I may have just answered my own question, lol. I'll try anyway.

In their last scene together, Jack says, and I paraphrase here, "you measure the tight f'in leash you keep me on.....then you say you'll kill me for needing something I don't hardly never get"

I found that line interesting. "tight leash"  It seems as though Jack is usually the one planning the get togethers, just from the cards and all, so it seems that Ennis isn't keeping Jack on any leash. But now that I think out loud and type this, maybe that comment is referring to Ennis telling Jack that things I don't know about Mexico could get you killed???? Is that what you think that short leash comment means? Ennis will not have Jack be with other men and that's the short leash Jack speaks of possibly? Because up until that point, you never hear or see Ennis demand anything or any time with Jack. I don't know, what do you think?

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Offline MississaugaRed

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #1 on: Apr 18, 2006, 03:52 PM »

In their last scene together, Jack says, and I paraphrase here, "you measure the tight f'in leash you keep me on.....then you say you'll kill me for needing something I don't hardly never get"

I found that line interesting. "tight leash"  It seems as though Jack is usually the one planning the get togethers, just from the cards and all, so it seems that Ennis isn't keeping Jack on any leash. But now that I think out loud and type this, maybe that comment is referring to Ennis telling Jack that things I don't know about Mexico could get you killed???? Is that what you think that short leash comment means? Ennis will not have Jack be with other men and that's the short leash Jack speaks of possibly? Because up until that point, you never hear or see Ennis demand anything or any time with Jack. I don't know, what do you think?


Interesting point. I guess I always assumed the short leash Jack is speaking of is the way that Ennis had always set the boundaries on their relationship.  You know, "I won't set up ranch with you, but I'll meet you in the middle of no where once in a while" and "Yup, I'm divorced now, but I still won't leave Riverton for you, and I've got the girls this weekend, so can't even spend a few hours with you even though you just drove 14 hours to see me". 

Obviously I'm not only paraphrasing here but also trying to put a few words to some of the sub-text in the scenes (such as I might interprete them, anyway), but you get the picture.  Jack usually bowed to Ennis's wishes with regard to how their affair was to be conducted. 

But you can see Jack starting to get a bit more reckless, bolder, and less willing to be the easy-going good ol'boy after the divorce misunderstanding.  He seems to be determined that people treat him with respect (as he does standing up to his father-in-law).  He's been straining at the leash he refers to for years before this final blow up with Ennis, as much out of loneliness as frustration I would think.  And he most likely would have kept his growing dissatisfaction to himself a while longer if Ennis hadn't once again set limits by cancelling their August plans.

I think by this time Ennis might have been sensing that Jack wasn't going to be so amendable though, see how nervous he is when he has to tell Jack he can't meet him until November??
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Offline tpe

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #2 on: Apr 18, 2006, 04:04 PM »
Indeed, the older Jack is not the same as the young one.  His soul is now harder, his heart is less yielding.

And indeed, he was kept on a short leash as far as relationship boundaries go.  As Ennis was more flexible in his earlier days, he had become more rigid as time went on.  This took its toll on Jack's spirit, and he also slowly hardened to the reality that there was a line set by Ennis that he could not cross. 

The reality made Jack bitter.  He had chomped on the bit long enough, and he was ready to blow off steam.  After 20 years, the spring of his heart was ready to recoil.  Little did he know that Ennis was a pressure valve, and he was about to open it...

« Last Edit: Apr 18, 2006, 04:06 PM by tpe »

Offline CherryCake

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #3 on: Apr 18, 2006, 04:19 PM »
Indeed, the older Jack is not the same as the young one.  His soul is now harder, his heart is less yielding.

And indeed, he was kept on a short leash as far as relationship boundaries go.  As Ennis was more flexible in his earlier days, he had become more rigid as time went on.  This took its toll on Jack's spirit, and he also slowly hardened to the reality that there was a line set by Ennis that he could not cross. 

The reality made Jack bitter.  He had chomped on the bit long enough, and he was ready to blow off steam.  After 20 years, the spring of his heart was ready to recoil.  Little did he know that Ennis was a pressure valve, and he was about to open it...

Well put, tpe..  it also seems to me that if Ennis would have called Jack, Jack would have come running.  Ennis was the one who said, "If you can't fix it, you gotta stand it." and "There ain't no reins on this one.'
Basically saying to me :' this is all we can do...'we got this 'thing' and we gotta work around it."

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Offline tpe

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #4 on: Apr 18, 2006, 04:29 PM »
CherryCake, we all can appreciate the tragic flaw in both of them no?

Ennis and Jack loved each other deeply.  We know this without a doubt.  And yet the self-imposed and societal restructions that kept them apart affected them differently.

Jack, the more emotive of the two, shows the pain and disappointment very openly.  Ennis keeps it bottled up inside.

I guess Ennis drew the boundaries because he thought is was the only way to keep what was inside from bursting out uncontrollably, the way it happened during the reunion scene.  He was sadly mistaken.  He was just killing Jack and himself.

For Jack, he did not realize until the final meeting that this self-imposed restriction of Ennis was really a way Ennis thought he could protect their love.  Ennis did not want it to end like Earl and Rich.  He wanted it to last, even if it meant seeing less of each other.

Both misread the other's intentions.

They should have just trusted the depth of their love for each other...

« Last Edit: Apr 18, 2006, 04:31 PM by tpe »

Offline shieldmaid

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #5 on: Apr 18, 2006, 05:38 PM »
CherryCake, we all can appreciate the tragic flaw in both of them no?

Ennis and Jack loved each other deeply.  We know this without a doubt.  And yet the self-imposed and societal restructions that kept them apart affected them differently.

Jack, the more emotive of the two, shows the pain and disappointment very openly.  Ennis keeps it bottled up inside.

I guess Ennis drew the boundaries because he thought is was the only way to keep what was inside from bursting out uncontrollably, the way it happened during the reunion scene.  He was sadly mistaken.  He was just killing Jack and himself.

For Jack, he did not realize until the final meeting that this self-imposed restriction of Ennis was really a way Ennis thought he could protect their love.  Ennis did not want it to end like Earl and Rich.  He wanted it to last, even if it meant seeing less of each other.

Both misread the other's intentions.

They should have just trusted the depth of their love for each other...



Wow, that's incredibly beautiful. . . and sad.  Jack and Ennis needed to trust that what each was feeling was reflected in the other's emotions; perhaps because each had spent so long feeling alone and lonely without the other, they could no longer find that undeniable spark that first drew them together on BBM.
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Offline tpe

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #6 on: Apr 18, 2006, 06:02 PM »
Wow, that's incredibly beautiful. . . and sad.  Jack and Ennis needed to trust that what each was feeling was reflected in the other's emotions; perhaps because each had spent so long feeling alone and lonely without the other, they could no longer find that undeniable spark that first drew them together on BBM.

shieldmaid, it's ironic, isn't it?  Them feeling so alone for the good part of 20 years when they really had each other.

To not take what you have.  It's a tragedy.


Offline shieldmaid

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #7 on: Apr 18, 2006, 06:28 PM »
it IS a tragedy, absolutely.  For Jack to even say "the short . . . leash you keep me on" suggests pain and anger--yet also his own unwillingness to be free of that hold.  If they had both just acknowledged openly the reasons why they were unable to let go of each other--their story could have ended so differently.  Or at least they could have had more "artless, charmed happiness" together.
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Offline tpe

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #8 on: Apr 18, 2006, 06:31 PM »
For Jack to even say "the short . . . leash you keep me on" suggests pain and anger--yet also his own unwillingness to be free of that hold. 

Perfect.

You just made me tear up.

Offline frenchcda

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #9 on: Apr 18, 2006, 06:34 PM »
For Jack to even say "the short . . . leash you keep me on" suggests pain and anger--yet also his own unwillingness to be free of that hold. 

Perfect.

You just made me tear up.

That sentence really touch a chord in my heart, I recall vividly something very similar happening to me back in 1989.
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Offline tpe

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #10 on: Apr 18, 2006, 06:49 PM »
That sentence really touch a chord in my heart, I recall vividly something very similar happening to me back in 1989.

frenchcda, happy are you who are rich and understanding in the joys and discords of love.

I sense that you have truly lived.



 
« Last Edit: Apr 18, 2006, 06:52 PM by tpe »

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #11 on: Apr 18, 2006, 07:09 PM »
I tend to agree with most of you..Jack and Ennis were both frustrated to a point..Jack wanting to be with him on a full time basis, wanting to live with him and not just see him every once in a while..feeling let down after the divorce and not being able to spend time with Ennis..He was frustrated on some many levels..being in love hurts, being in love can be great, and being in love causes pain sometimes, and joy and happiness..and this beautiful movie shows us that..it shows me the power of love on all its levels..trust, hurt, sadness, joy and compassion.

They both may have felt stuck.society did influence them..guys and girls get married and raise kids..same sex couples weren't even allowed or tolerated which is sad too..Outside influences did play a key in thier relationship..

Ennis felt torn without him and torn with him..he had a battle inside of himself..I love this man, I want to be with him but I am afraid, scared and confused.I don't want to be killed or have Jack be killed due our loving each other..he wanted but couldn't say it..

Jack wanted and hoped for what he coudln't have but wanted..he wanted Ennis and only Ennis but couldn't have him on the level he wanted..which was ilving together and being together and sharing thier love and commitment for one another..

I think we can learn that when something is there as true as love you should take it with open arms and hold and cherish it close

Offline ethan

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #12 on: Apr 18, 2006, 10:53 PM »
Thanks for the interesting replies. I'd like to add my experience.

This quote reminds me so much of when I am driving with my dad. I am the driver but he always tells me to do this and that. In a way, my dad is the one who has the control - not me. And it is frustrating.

Quote from: MississaugaRed
I always assumed the short leash Jack is speaking of is the way that Ennis had always set the boundaries on their relationship.  You know, "I won't set up ranch with you, but I'll meet you in the middle of no where once in a while" and "Yup, I'm divorced now, but I still won't leave Riverton for you, and I've got the girls this weekend, so can't even spend a few hours with you even though you just drove 14 hours to see me".

That is my take on this too. It is always Ennis's call.
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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #13 on: Apr 18, 2006, 10:59 PM »
*Sobs*  :'( :'( This has to be one of the most painful scenes in the entire movie.  :'(


You can tell that they so much wanted to be together but there was always that little window of doubt (in Ennis's mind) that stopped them from being together ... forever. :'(

Offline tpe

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #14 on: Apr 19, 2006, 06:56 AM »
Indeed this scene is so painful to contemplate.

'...you'd kill me for needin somethin that I hardly never get.'

I don't think it was just the sexual aspect that Jack had in mind.

The dozy embrace flashback reinforces this.

Jack need someone to love him the same way he would: body and soul.

Ennis was that person, but, as I said before, time and recriminations all got in the way.

Jack wore that short leash for so long because he could not get away from that love.  'I wish I knew how to quit you': Jack didn't know how to quit Ennis.  I could try, but he could not.

 

Offline forbiddenlovers

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #15 on: Apr 19, 2006, 07:33 AM »
Wonderfully put everyone. I see the underlying meaning of the statement now in so many different lights. As I read them, I think about how that scene started out and what it became. It was just a nervous comment from Ennis telling Jack he couldn't be back until November and then eventually turned into the end of everything by the end of the scene. Great progression of a scene, if not terribly heartbreaking that tears you down when it's all said and done.
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Offline MississaugaRed

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #16 on: Apr 19, 2006, 08:04 AM »
Indeed, the older Jack is not the same as the young one.  His soul is now harder, his heart is less yielding.

And indeed, he was kept on a short leash as far as relationship boundaries go.  As Ennis was more flexible in his earlier days, he had become more rigid as time went on.  This took its toll on Jack's spirit, and he also slowly hardened to the reality that there was a line set by Ennis that he could not cross. 

Well said, TPE - you do come to feel that over the course of their lives, Ennis becomes more of what he already was (cautious, repressed, taciturn) and Jack becomes less of what he was (open, easy-going, optimistic) and more of something else (tougher, determined, not so willing to compromise his desires).

Quote
The reality made Jack bitter.  He had chomped on the bit long enough, and he was ready to blow off steam.  After 20 years, the spring of his heart was ready to recoil.  Little did he know that Ennis was a pressure valve, and he was about to open it...


Excellent description of Ennis!  He's so quiet you almost forget that he's also under enormous pressure, hiding from everyone in his daily life his true feelings, until, as you say, the valve opens.  The fight on the fairgrounds, the fight with the driver of the truck that nearly runs him down at Thanksgiving - small releases of the pressure, misdirected but someone alway pays when emotions are suppressed too long.

Even when Jack rages at him about the "short leash", Ennis is barely able to articulate the battle he himself has been fighting for 20 years.  He collapses into sobs, a physical expression of his anguish.

This whole encounter has me holding my breath to the very end - it's pure,  raw emotion.
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Offline tpe

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #17 on: Apr 19, 2006, 08:15 AM »
Even when Jack rages at him about the "short leash", Ennis is barely able to articulate the battle he himself has been fighting for 20 years.  He collapses into sobs, a physical expression of his anguish.

This whole encounter has me holding my breath to the very end - it's pure,  raw emotion.

Ennis is inarticulate, indeed. 

There is a contrast between two scenes that highlight Ennis's inabilitity to articulate his feelings.

The first one if the fight after the lasso scene on BBM.  THis is typical, since Ennis often reacts with violence when he is unable to face up to his emotions (witness the Thanksgiving scene).

The second one is this final meeting confrontation.  When I first saw this, I said to myself: 'OK, he's going to lash out at Jack, punch him in the face or something...'

IMAGINE MY SHOCK AND DISBELIEF WHEN ENNIS BREAKS DOWN AND CRIES IN THE END.

He remains inarcticulate.  But you see, the love has grown deeper in between.

God help us...


Offline edgar

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #18 on: Apr 19, 2006, 05:07 PM »
tpe, are you a writer?

I am constantly touched by your gift of expression.

Thank you.

Offline tpe

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #19 on: Apr 19, 2006, 05:25 PM »
tpe, are you a writer?

I am constantly touched by your gift of expression.

Thank you.

Thanks edgar.  Alas, I am not a writer. 

I would want to think of us here in this forum as lovers of beauty.

That is why we love BBM.




Offline forbiddenlovers

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #20 on: Apr 21, 2006, 09:36 AM »
Alright, I have to add my two cents again about this scene. EVERYTIME I watch this, I walk away with a different conclusion. Help me!! :)

When Jack is talking about the short leash and then Jack saying Ennis would kill him for something he don't hardly never get, I'm getting mixed impressions in my mind. Here goes.

When Ennis first says "them things, all them things I don't know about, could get you killed if I come to know them"

For a while, I thought Ennis said that because of his extreme jealousy of Jack with another man. He can handle him with women, but not men. But then, after paying closer attention to a line before that, this changes my mind. Ennis says "Well I hear what they got for BOYS LIKE YOU in Mexico"  I take from that Ennis basically saying "Ennis you're gay" And the comment about killing him for going to Mexico, is not so much out of jealousy as it is from Ennis maybe in his mind thinking Jack is gay, a fact that Ennis cannot deal with. He says he's not gay and he figures Jack isn't either, so this makes it ok. But then at that point, you wonder if he sees that through Jack going to Mexico that Jack is gay. That's not a reality he can deal with.

I don't know, I go back and forth so much on this!! Damn this beautiful movie!! ;D
« Last Edit: Apr 21, 2006, 09:41 AM by forbiddenlovers »
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Offline tpe

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #21 on: Apr 21, 2006, 10:41 AM »
Alright, I have to add my two cents again about this scene. EVERYTIME I watch this, I walk away with a different conclusion. Help me!! :)

When Jack is talking about the short leash and then Jack saying Ennis would kill him for something he don't hardly never get, I'm getting mixed impressions in my mind. Here goes.

When Ennis first says "them things, all them things I don't know about, could get you killed if I come to know them"

For a while, I thought Ennis said that because of his extreme jealousy of Jack with another man. He can handle him with women, but not men. But then, after paying closer attention to a line before that, this changes my mind. Ennis says "Well I hear what they got for BOYS LIKE YOU in Mexico"  I take from that Ennis basically saying "Ennis you're gay" And the comment about killing him for going to Mexico, is not so much out of jealousy as it is from Ennis maybe in his mind thinking Jack is gay, a fact that Ennis cannot deal with. He says he's not gay and he figures Jack isn't either, so this makes it ok. But then at that point, you wonder if he sees that through Jack going to Mexico that Jack is gay. That's not a reality he can deal with.

I don't know, I go back and forth so much on this!! Damn this beautiful movie!! ;D

Indeed, I think the comment on Mexico was supposed to suggest what you exactly stated.

For the record, I do believe that both of them were gay (just my opinion).

But in the minds of Ennis and Jack, they believed that they were not (I went into detail about this on an earlier thread).

Ennis was certainly provoking Jack by this statement.  And you know, one can measure how much Jack has travelled the road of self-acceptance by his reply: 'Yes I've been to Mexico.  Is there a problem?'



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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #22 on: Apr 21, 2006, 10:54 AM »
Ennis was certainly provoking Jack by this statement.  And you know, one can measure how much Jack has travelled the road of self-acceptance by his reply: 'Yes I've been to Mexico.  Is there a problem?'

I agree that Ennis was provoking Jack here - the "boys like you" statement can really only mean one thing. However, I don't think Jack has ever really had a problem with self-acceptance - although he says "me neither" when Ennis says "I ain't queer", I really think he only says that because he knows that it's the only way that things can continue with Ennis on Brokeback because Ennis would never have gone to him knowing that Jack was gay. I believe Jack always knew he was gay and always accepted it, only marrying because that's what society expected. When he says "yeah, I've been to Mexico, is that a problem?", though, it's almost certainly the first time he's voiced it to anyone - his coming out, as it were.
« Last Edit: Apr 21, 2006, 11:18 AM by NoReins »
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Offline tpe

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #23 on: Apr 21, 2006, 11:00 AM »


When he says "yeah, I've been to Mexico, is that a problem?", though, it's almost certainly the first time he's voiced it to anyone - his coming out, as it were.

Indeed it must be so.  I have not thought of it this way. 

I think you speak the truth.



Offline Patriot1

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #24 on: Apr 21, 2006, 12:01 PM »
When he says "yeah, I've been to Mexico, is that a problem?", though, it's almost certainly the first time he's voiced it to anyone - his coming out, as it were.

So, then you don't feel Jack came out to his parents when he told them he was bringing Ennis up there to work the ranch and that they were going to live together?

Tell you what...truth is, sometimes I miss you so much I can hardly stand it...

Love is a force of nature.

Offline tpe

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #25 on: Apr 21, 2006, 01:13 PM »
When he says "yeah, I've been to Mexico, is that a problem?", though, it's almost certainly the first time he's voiced it to anyone - his coming out, as it were.

So, then you don't feel Jack came out to his parents when he told them he was bringing Ennis up there to work the ranch and that they were going to live together?

Hello Patriot1 Good point, although I guess the spirit is different. 

I guess the revalation to his parents is implied, or perhaps surmised.

With Ennis, I guess it was pretty much the same thing no?  Perhaps the same up until this declaration about Mexico.  Ennis started it, and Jack -- surprising to me -- affirmed it.  And Ennis was taken aback -- enough to threaten Jack's life if he came to know more than he wanted.





Offline forbiddenlovers

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #26 on: Apr 21, 2006, 01:36 PM »
To me, that's where Jack came out to Ennis when he stated he'd been to Mexico and is that a problem? He wasn't saying "is that a problem I'm getting it from someone other than you" He's saying "Is that a problem that I'm gay?" My own interpretation there, though. And that's why Ennis snapped and told him he'd kill him. Because even though he himself was gay, my opinion there again, he wasn't going to admit it, nor would he allow himself to believe Jack was either.
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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #27 on: Apr 21, 2006, 01:47 PM »
Aye, that's pretty much what I was trying to say, forbiddenlovers

Patriot1 - I'm not sure if Jack had ever "come out" to his parents. We know he had told them about bringing someone (first Ennis, then, presumably, Randall) up there to help out with the ranch, but I reckon they probably worked the rest out (assuming they did) for themselves. I think they knew he was gay, but I don't think it was because Jack actually told them. I know he doesn't actually say to Ennis that he's gay either - but he knew what Ennis meant by "boys like you" and saying he'd been to Mexico equated to saying, "yeah, I'm gay - what of it?".

Bottom line is (sorry, couldn't resist that ;)) there are loads of different ways to interpret this, just like so much of this - I guess that's why there are so many thousands of posts on here :)
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Offline Patriot1

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #28 on: Apr 21, 2006, 01:56 PM »
With Ennis, I guess it was pretty much the same thing no?  Perhaps the same up until this declaration about Mexico.  Ennis started it, and Jack -- surprising to me -- affirmed it.  And Ennis was taken aback -- enough to threaten Jack's life if he came to know more than he wanted.

When Ennis threatened Jack's life it was the homophobic Ennis speaking.  This was not the Ennis who loved his friend and would do anything for him, including quit jobs so they could be together.  Ennis never for a moment considered having sex with anyone but Jack.  He assumed it was the same with Jack. "I ain't queer." "Me neither."  But when Jack mentions Mexico in the homophobic Ennis' eyes Jack became one of the, "...boys like you."  And "..boys like you" need to be killed..."I ain't foolin."  So, in essence Ennis was saying to Jack, don't tell me all those things that happen in Mexico, because if I come to know all those things, you could end up dead.  As long as it was Jack and Ennis that was fine, it was nobody's business but theirs.  But bring in others and it is no longer a special bond between two men, Ennis suddenly becomes one in a long line of others.  That is not what he gave up everything for.  He accepted the poverty, loss of family, etc. for his special friend, but he wasn't about to be told he was nothing more to Jack than a trick.

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Offline NoReins

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Re: Quote: The Short Leash You Keep Me On
« Reply #29 on: Apr 21, 2006, 02:15 PM »
When Ennis threatened Jack's life it was the homophobic Ennis speaking.  This was not the Ennis who loved his friend and would do anything for him, including quit jobs so they could be together.  Ennis never for a moment considered having sex with anyone but Jack.  He assumed it was the same with Jack. "I ain't queer." "Me neither."  But when Jack mentions Mexico in the homophobic Ennis' eyes Jack became one of the, "...boys like you."  And "..boys like you" need to be killed..."I ain't foolin."  So, in essence Ennis was saying to Jack, don't tell me all those things that happen in Mexico, because if I come to know all those things, you could end up dead.  As long as it was Jack and Ennis that was fine, it was nobody's business but theirs.  But bring in others and it is no longer a special bond between two men, Ennis suddenly becomes one in a long line of others.  That is not what he gave up everything for.  He accepted the poverty, loss of family, etc. for his special friend, but he wasn't about to be told he was nothing more to Jack than a trick.

You know, I'd never looked at it like that before but you could well be right. That's probably the most accurate (and certainly the saddest) theory I've heard to explain the "all those things I don't know" lines.
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