Ennis Homophobia Quotes

“There was some open space between what he knew and what he tried to believe, but nothing could be done about it, and if you can’t fix it you’ve got to stand it.” (21) In the above quote it is communicated that while Ennis acknowledges the reality of and his contempt for homophobia, he feels that he cannot combat it. Ennis “knows” that homophobia is present in the world, that regardless of how Jack died, there was a real possibility he was killed out of hate for his homosexuality. Unable to tell but still skeptical of whether or not Jack’s death was an accident, Ennis’ doubt reflects his understanding that homophobia exists in the world. Upon calling Jack’s ex-wife, she explains that “Jack was pumping up a flat on the truck out on a back road when the tire blew up” (17) causing him to drown in his own blood. Ennis has trouble believing this, exclaiming that “they

Associating the tool used to kill the poor man with the homophobic hate crime committed against him, Ennis’ exclamation that “they got him with the tire iron” communicates his understanding that Jack may have been attacked for his sexuality. Believing that Jack’s death may not have been an accident, Ennis demonstrates his acknowledgment of homophobia’s presence throughout society. While Ennis acknowledges that Jack may have been killed because of his sexuality, he “tries to believe” that it was just an accident, wishing that the world was different. A gay man himself, Brokeback Mountain is the first and only place that Ennis and Jack are able to openly express their sexuality because, perceiving that it is “only the two of them” (5), they have no one to hide their relationship from and no one to judge them. On Brokeback, Ennis illustrates “the two of them on the mountain flying in the euphoric, bitter air, looking