IMO, the reality is that most of us know we are more like Ennis than Jack even though Jack is the romantic hero. I think it pisses us off a bit at ourselves or saddens us. However, I think in the end, Ennis is not such a bad guy and that we might be selling ourselves short.
"How dangerous we, cowards, can be," said my friend Meri after her second Brokeback Experience, even more devastating for her than her first.
I've been reading comments about popularity, and well, I don't really get the concept of Ennis being less popular or more popular than Jack, though it's obvious that we can relate better to one or another. To me, they are Ying and Yang. I personally love and understand Jack and love and understand Ennis. And I love the way they complemented each other, fears and all.
Is Ennis a coward? mm...I would say yes...and no. I mean, fears, deep fears, are a terrible thing. We suffer not because we can't overcome something outside, but because we can't overcome ourselves. And few things are worse that the knowledge that you are wasting time/love/chances because of you and only you. I can totally understand Ennis situation... as much as a straight 26 year old girl can.
Of course he's not such a bad guy at all. He just can't help it, as we just can't help some of our fears, and take us a lot of time and suffering to overcome them, in the best of the cases. I agree with you,
Mr. Wrong. There is a point when you must take a stand. But every one is different, and what takes me a week may take you a decade, or viceversa
Ennis has flaws, but I can't help but love him and suffer because of his own suffering. And that applies to ourselves, too. ^_^