Titanic Essay Questions

What is the significance of the ship's name?

The name "Titanic" denotes, first, the spectacular feat of engineering that the ship reflected in 1912, as well as the prideful and arrogant attitudes of the men who created it. J. Bruce Ismay, the man who chose the name, tells Rose and other that he wanted a name that conveyed the sheer scale of the ship. Rose dislikes the egotistical overtones of the name, and suggests that Ismay read Freud, whose work discusses the "male preoccupation with size." The name of the ship, "Titanic," can also refer to the epic, heightened emotions that Jack and Rose feel toward each other over a short period of time. The name ultimately represents a futile, hubristic attempt by mankind to dominate nature and compete with God, similar to the famous myths like Icarus and the tower of Babel. Its collision with an iceberg is a humbling, if not humiliating, moment for many of its principal architects and stewards.

How does the inclusion of real historical characters enhance the movie?

The inclusion of historical figures adds verisimilitude to the fictionalized romance between Jack and Rose. Weaving characters like Molly Brown and J.J. Astor into scenes with Rose and her mother provides insight into the social dynamics of the world of the upper crust. For example, although Molly is a warm-hearted and spectacularly rich woman, Ruth still holds her in contempt because she is "new money" and therefore not as socially acceptable amongst the elite. Including the ship's crew members in the storyline also helps Cameron recreate a compelling account of the sinking of the ship, and render a variety of reactions amongst those responsible for the tragedy. For example, whereas William Murdoch commits suicide out of guilt, and Thomas Andrews stares despondently into a clock as he waits for death, J. Bruce Ismay sneaks onto a lifeboat in a cowardly fashion. The conduct of the various men speaks volumes about how the event of the sinking was a test of character for all involved.

Why is Jack waiting at the top of the staircase for Rose in the final scene of the film?

The scene at the end of the film where Rose is walking through the great ballroom on the ship towards Jack is symbolic of her dying and being reunited with him in death. Rose remembers Jack in an idealized form—wearing his suspenders and common clothes, rather than being forced into the stuffy formalwear that Molly let him borrow in order to fit in with the first-class passengers. Rose sees only friendly faces in this scene, including Tommy Ryan, Fabrizio, Thomas Andrews, and William Murdoch, all of whom break into applause when they kiss. The film's amoral characters, like Ruth, Cal, Lovejoy, and J. Bruce Ismay are nowhere to be found. The two reunite at the clock, which symbolizes the passage of time, and also on the landing of the staircase, which symbolizes Rose crossing over into the afterlife.

What is the meaning behind the line "I jump, you jump, right?"

Jack is the first character to utter this line to Rose, when he pulls her into a gymnasium in order to convince her not to marry Cal. Jack is referring to his willingness to jump into North Atlantic to save Rose, even after only knowing her for mere seconds. The line represents the kind of unconditional devotion and love that characterizes their relationship from the very beginning. When Rose is descending on a lifeboat as the Titanic is sinking, she remembers Jack's words and jumps back onto the boat. Jack is shocked by her actions until she repeats the line back to him—"I jump, you jump, right?" The implication is that Rose is as unwilling to abandon him as he had been unwilling to abandon her, and that she would rather perish with him than return to a loveless life with Cal.

Why is Molly Brown an important character in the film?

Molly Brown is seemingly the only first-class passenger who values human life over material wealth. Whereas the ladies in Ruth's circle, as well as Cal and J. Bruce Ismay, are all preoccupied with luxury and appearances, Molly has little patience for the fussy manners of the upper classes. She hollers at passengers, admires Rose's insouciance, and lends Jack a jacket to wear to dinner, earning the contempt of Ruth. Molly takes a moral stand on her lifeboat by urging them to turn around and save as many people as they can, but is overruled. Molly Brown emerged as one of the few heroes aboard the Titanic, contrasting sharply with cowardly egotists like J. Bruce Ismay, who used their clout to board lifeboats at the expense of women and children.