Cowboys Quote by Annie Proulx
““Late in the afternoon, thunder growling, that same old green pickup rolled in and he saw Jack get out of the truck, beat up Resistol tilted back. A hot jolt scalded Ennis and he was out on the landing pulling the door closed behind him. Jack took the stairs two and two. They seized each other by the shoulders, hugged mightily, squeezing the breath out of each other, saying, son of a bitch, son of a bitch, then, and easily as the right key turns the lock tumblers, their mouths came together, and hard, Jack’s big teeth bringing blood, his hat falling to the floor, stubble rasping, wet saliva welling, and the door opening and Alma looking out for a few seconds at Ennis’s straining shoulders and shutting the door again and still they clinched, pressing chest and groin and thigh and leg together, treading on each other’s toes until they pulled apart to breathe and Ennis, not big on endearments, said what he said to his horses and his daughters, little darlin.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Brokeback Mountain, Annie Proulx, 1997
A raw, physical encounter between two men reveals deep affection and vulnerability amid a harsh environment.
In simple terms: Two men share an intense, tender moment despite rough surroundings.
Embrace vulnerability even in harsh settings.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- rural life
- war
- personal conflict
- secret relationships
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does physical closeness affect emotional bonds?
- What risks arise when affection is expressed through violence?
The scene may romanticize aggression, overlooking emotional harm.