Jack pulling Rose back over (more symbolism???)

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I just noticed something else when I went to see Titanic for the third time yesterday. At the beginning of the movie when Jack saves Rose from comitting suicide he says "Just give me your hand. I'll pull you back over. I won't let go." Then at the end when the ship sinking, he goes over the rail and tells her the same thing. It's hard for me to explain what I'm trying to say, but it's like both times he's saving her life and in a way he's also telling her he won't let go. Does anyone get what I'm trying to say? I don't know if it's some sort of symbolism or what. I would appreciate it if you guys could give me some feedback on this. Thanks!

-- Jennifer (foo@bar.com), February 22, 1998

Answers

I think there's definately some symbolism going on here. I think at first Jack was just trying to get her to focus on pulling herself back onto the ship. He's reasurring her that he won't let go and it's up to her to pull herself up. Maybe at the end of the movie though, he might have thought they weren't going to make it and was telling her that he won't let go (more of a spiritual 'won't let go' that a physical one). Did you notice that he also kind of says it again when he's instructing her on what to do when the ship goes under? He says, "Do not let go of my hand". I think you're right about the symbolism.

-- Donna Sadoway (donakyle@oanet.com), February 22, 1998.

I noticed the "I won't let go thing" too. That's one of the things that makes me cry the most at the end of the movie, just before Rose lets Jack go under the water, she tells him she won't let go.. :(

-- Cara (sammons@mint.net), February 22, 1998.

Jack was in love with hands. The hands are the way to the soul for him. When Rose is trying to commit suicide, Jack is asking for her hand to physically pull her back over, but also to give her emotional stability. He will make sure she will live on. He is basically asking her to accept him and his help. It is the same at the end. When they are on the other side of the rail, he is telling her that he will be her stability until he knows she will be okay--he will never let go, because he is going to make sure she lives on. When he knows she is going to be okay, he asks her to never let go in order to let him live on. Hand are very symbolic in the movie. Their connection is through hands. Jack was looking for that kind of connection when he drew other women. He only found it with Rose. The first time we see them touch it is a shot of their hands grasping together, without gloves. They are constantly kissing or touching each others hands, even after he has died. To go into all the hands symbolism will take a long time, but you can find it in other places here, and other sites.

-- Misty Chacon (Mystified) (HiRver@concentric.net), February 22, 1998.

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