I’ll leave some space so as not to spoil anything on the mouse-overs.
Ok, so here’s my question. At the end of Brokeback Mountain, Ennis opens his closet and we see the two shirts hanging on a hook under the postcard picture of the mountain (the shirts are a brilliant image, by the way, and how fitting that it’s an image which is seen in a closet). Ennis straightens the picture and touches the shirts and then says, “Jack, I swear…” It’s the last line of the movie. What does Ennis mean by this line? What is he swearing. The line is not delivered melodramatically or even especially sadly. Ennis says it softly, affectionately, almost with a hint of amusement. It reminded me of the tone Ennis would used when he would tease Jack about his harmonica. What are some other people’s thoughts about meaning of this line?
It’s open to a lot of meanings. He swears he’ll get Jack’s ashes and fulfill his last wish. He swears that he’ll never forget Jack. He swears that if he ever has the chance at love again he’ll take it. And probably many more.
It’s not explained in the short story either, except that Proulx adds that “Jack had never asked him to swear to anything and [Ennis] was himself not the swearing kind.”
I figured it meant that he swore he’d never forget Jack, the way neither of them ever forgot their time on Brokeback.
Perhaps it was Ennis swearing that he would do his best from then on to please those he loves and who love him, as well as not denying himself something that he might want. Just a few minutes earlier he had told his daughter that he couldn’t make it to her wedding because of the Roundup, but then changed his mind and told her he would come after all. The smile on her face told him how happy she was at his decision.
And what vivalostwages said. It’s a lovely line, for all its possible meanings.
I think it is just a sort of openended phrase, an emotional exclaimation rather than a thought that has a direct thought after it. He’s not swearing an oath, he’s not talking about foul language. He’s just dealing with an emotion of loss and memory that’s overwhelming. People in pain or who are emotional often express themselves with incomplete phrases like this that aren’t meant to imply a meaningful completion. I swear…
It’s also used without implying any follow-up just as a reaction to the other’s behavior. It usually expresses mild shock (just as at something outrageous) or affectionate amusement. I took it as the latter.
This usage was once common in the South and perhaps among other “country” folk. For instance, “I swear, child, you say the craziest things.”
Whereas when I was growing up in a small town in Illinois, people would shake their head and say, “I swear…” when expressing* frustration and disappointment.
I took the line as meaning great regret…realizing what he had lost and what a fool he was for losing it.
It was a truly sad, but perfect last line for this film. In those days, he thought that was sort of the way things had to be for this “forbidden love”, but things were just starting to change for the better. Sadly, too late for him.
I know it makes no sense, but when Heath Ledger died, I felt extra remorse because of this film. It was sort of like a real life finality of a character that I had hoped would somehow find happiness (in my fictional Part II sequel of the film). In my own little Brokeback II, Ennis would indeed meet a nice guy and go off and live happily ever after…
I kind of assumed it was “I swear, if I had it to do over again…” that he would have chosen love over fear. But as everyone knows, it’s clearly open to interpretation.
I always took it as a general expression of affection and exasperation.
Remember, he’d just found the shirt he’d thought lost during that first summer on the mountain. It’s more an amused, “Jake, I swear you’re a sentimental fool.” when he LIKES that Jake is a sentimental fool. It’s quiet joy, not regret. Ennis - not a man used to being in touch with his feelings or expressing them - is showing all the joy and hope a man like him can. All of it buried in three words.
Really, it’s a touching movie. And a strong contender for top movie of the 2000s.
I was also confused. and when no one I’ve ever read an opinion that says that the promise related to Jack ashes sprinkled on Brokeback Mountain. Can also.