Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Brokeback Mountain. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Jack Twist dies, reportedly in a tire accident, though Ennis Del Mar suspects he was beaten to death for being gay. Ennis visits Jack's parents and finds their two shirts hanging together in Jack's closet. He takes them home, hangs them with a postcard of Brokeback Mountain and whispers, “Jack, I swear.”
Quick facts
– Book: Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx
– First published: 1997
– Type: A short story
– Tone of the ending: Heartbreaking
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
In 1963 Wyoming, ranch hands Ennis and Jack herd sheep on Brokeback Mountain and fall in love. They marry women and have children, but they meet secretly for years. Jack wants a life together; Ennis, haunted by a childhood memory of a murdered gay man, refuses.
What Happens at the End of Brokeback Mountain
Ennis learns from Jack's wife that Jack died in an accident. He suspects it was a hate crime. He visits Jack's parents' ranch and finds his own shirt inside Jack's, hidden in a closet. Jack's father refuses to let Jack's ashes be scattered on Brokeback. Ennis keeps the shirts and a postcard. He dreams of Jack.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Jack's death may be a hate crime.
- The shirts symbolize their love.
- Ennis keeps Jack's memory.
- Ennis's “Jack, I swear” ends the story.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Ennis Del Mar | Keeps the shirts |
| Jack Twist | Dies |
| Alma | Ennis's ex-wife |
| Lureen | Jack's wife |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows the tragedy of a love that could not be lived openly.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers think Ennis's fear caused the tragedy, while others blame society.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Love. Their love endures.
Fear. Ennis's fear shapes his life.
Society. Prejudice destroys lives.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Brokeback Mountain as heartbreaking. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Annie Proulx to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are heartbreaking will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Annie Proulx closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 2005 film by Ang Lee follows the story's ending closely.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Brokeback Mountain with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about love, and do you agree with Annie Proulx's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as heartbreaking, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces love and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Annie Proulx leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Brokeback Mountain often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Brokeback Mountain earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of Brokeback Mountain on Amazon
Books to Read After Brokeback Mountain
- Close Range by Annie Proulx
- Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
Related: Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like Brokeback Mountain You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Brokeback Mountain?
Jack Twist dies, reportedly in a tire accident, though Ennis Del Mar suspects he was beaten to death for being gay. Ennis visits Jack's parents and finds their two shirts hanging together in Jack's closet. He takes them home, hangs them with a postcard of Brokeback Mountain and whispers, “Jack, I swear.”
Is the ending of Brokeback Mountain happy or sad?
Most readers call it heartbreaking.
What does the ending of Brokeback Mountain mean?
The ending shows the tragedy of a love that could not be lived openly.
Is the ending of Brokeback Mountain the same in the adaptation?
The 2005 film by Ang Lee follows the story's ending closely.
Who wrote Brokeback Mountain and when was it published?
Brokeback Mountain was written by Annie Proulx and first published in 1997.
Is Brokeback Mountain worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy short storys. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Annie Proulx prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Brokeback Mountain before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.