Even their approach to sexuality is traditionally masculine with Jack taking the initiative and making advances on his coworker.

Moreover, both Jack and Ennis ascribe to their gender roles such as by marrying a female and bearing children. Jack easily assumes the role of husband and father. One of his most masculine scenes in when he bluntly refuses to run away with Ennis, citing the importance of his role as father. Being a father is a certain expression of masculinity, representing the ability of the man to provide for a family even without taking part in the actual child rearing duties. Both Jack and Ennis seek out and thrive in typically masculine career roles, too. Their ideal work is removed from society, ruggedly independent and decidedly masculine.

Masculinity is therefore a separate issue from male sexuality. The men in the movie are staunchly masculine while being gay -- or at...
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