NY Review of Books on Brokeback Mountain

[trilingual]

>But if Jack's death is accidental, what do we make of that?

 

Nothing, I suppose. The story is ultra-realistic, and in reality accidents happen. The way Jack died really changes nothing about the story or its conclusion: the dead-end nature of Jack and Ennis's relationship because of Ennis's inability to let go of his fear and self-hatred.

 

An interesting speculation is what might have happened had Jack lived? If he actually managed to set up his little ranch with the "other man," would it have lasted, considering his 20-year obsession with Ennis? Would he and the"other man" end up like the two ranchers killed years before for living together? Once Jack died, it seems to have forced Ennis to face up to the truth of his love for Jack, but if Jack had lived is it likely there would have ever been a similar moment? If there were, would it still be too late because of the "other man?" In other words, would it have made any difference to the outcome whether Jack lived or died? If it would have, what do readers think the outcome would have been?