The old lady threw the heart of the ocean for a few key reasons. First, the heart of the ocean represented pain and sorrow from her time on the Titanic. Second, she wanted to let go of the past and not be defined by a jewel. Finally, returning it to the sea signified leaving that fateful night behind and moving forward with life. Though it was hard to part with, the meaning behind the gesture brought her peace.
Background on the Old Lady and the Heart of the Ocean
The old lady was Rose DeWitt Bukater, a passenger on the RMS Titanic who survived the infamous ship’s sinking in 1912. While aboard the ship, Rose wore an elaborate blue diamond necklace called Le Coeur de la Mer, or The Heart of the Ocean. It was part of the jewelry collection of Caledon Hockley, Rose’s wealthy fiancé at the time. The diamond was immensely valuable, worth millions even over a century ago.
During the sinking, Rose wore the necklace until the very end. As she floated on a wooden door in the freezing Atlantic waters, believing death was near, she took off the jewel and dropped it into the sea. Shortly after, she was rescued by survivors in a lifeboat. When the disaster’s aftermath investigated missing valuables, Rose did not mention the diamond, allowing it to remain lost under the waves.
Over the decades, the elderly Rose kept her experiences from that night private, the pain still fresh. She had moved on with her life, married, had children, but the memories remained. The diamond at the bottom of the sea represented not only the tragedy, but also her unhappy engagement to Cal.
Rose’s Journey to Return to the Shipwreck Site
In 1996, treasure hunters led by Brock Lovett discovered the sunken remains of Titanic. Among the artifacts, they found a drawing of a young Rose wearing the Heart of the Ocean. This sparked a hunt to find the long-lost diamond itself.
When Rose learned of their efforts, she contacted Lovett and revealed her identity as the woman in the drawing. Though now 101 years old, she joined a submarine excursion to the wreck site, not to help find the gem but for personal closure.
Being back at the location stirred many emotions in Rose. She recalled those frigid waters and fateful night with vivid detail. As she gazed upon the ruined ship, memories of fear, loss, and devastation flooded back. At the same time, feelings of hope, survival, and gratitude for the life she lived also swelled within her.
Contemplating Letting Go
Throughout the journey, Rose contemplated whether she should reveal the truth about the diamond. She explained to Lovett that it represented painful memories she’d tried to shed. Yet he remained determined to find the necklace for its monetary value alone.
For Rose, the diamond’s worth lay in how it reminded her of growth. Casting it into the sea decades ago was an act of both despair and moving forward. She wondered if retrieving it would undo that special moment of release.
In the end, she realized the Heart of the Ocean no longer defined her. Instead, the meaning of the jewel had changed. While it once represented sorrow and constraint, it now reflected freedom and survival. She had to honor that night by leaving the past behind, not dredging it up again.
Throwing the Necklace Overboard
In a private moment, Rose stepped outside on the submarine’s deck. Lovett begged her to share what she knew, but she remained silent. Then, she opened her hand to reveal she had the Heart of the Ocean all along. Shocked, Lovett pleaded with her to reconsider as she dangled the precious gem over the water’s edge.
“It exists now only in my memory,” Rose said as she let the massive blue diamond slip from her fingers to be swallowed up by the black depths. Lovett lunged forward, but it was too late.
For Rose, this act provided the closure and release she sought. Despite Lovett’s protests, she had no regrets. She explained a woman’s heart is as vast as the ocean, never to be contained in the palm of a man’s hand. To Rose, her heart was worth far more than a jewel.
No Regrets
Though Lovett was disappointed at losing his prize find, Rose was at peace. She had honored her memory by leaving the diamond in its watery grave for good. Letting it go for the second and final time allowed her to move forward freely, no longer chained to the past.
The elderly Rose lived the rest of her days in happiness, never regretting the choice to toss the necklace overboard. The heart of the ocean belonged to the sea now just as her heart belonged to the life she lived. The tragedy that brought them together would never define her again.
Deeper Meaning Behind Throwing the Necklace Overboard
On the surface, tossing the priceless jewel into the sea may seem odd or wasteful. However, for Rose, it carried profound symbolism and helped her make peace with the painful memories it evoked. Letting go of the necklace represented several larger themes:
Letting Go of the Past
Keeping the diamond would mean clinging to her memories of that night and life before. Throwing it overboard enabled her to focus on the present without being chained to history. Though she would never forget, relinquishing the jewel freed her from constantly reliving the pain and sorrow.
Freedom from Constraint
The extravagant necklace symbolized the gilded cage Rose inhabited as an aristocrat. It bound her to a world of expectations and obligations, notably her engagement to Cal. Discarding it brought liberation, allowing her to live as she chose. In a way, the ocean became her sanctuary from confinement on land.
Valuing Life over Possessions
Brock Lovett saw the diamond for its monetary value alone. For Rose, its worth lay in the memories and meaning attached to it. By throwing it away, she prioritized the value of her own life over material things. She found richness not in gems but in moving forward.
Appreciation for Second Chances
Rose seemed doomed on that night over eighty years ago. Surviving and living a long, fulfilling life were gifts she did not take for granted. Parting with the necklace for good marked savoring the second chance she was given.
How Rose’s Decision Affected Others
Rose’s granddaughter Lizzy served as her spokeswoman for the return to the Titanic wreck site. At first, Lizzy questioned Rose’s refusal to share the diamond’s location. However, witnessing her grandmother’s catharsis during the excursion brought clarity.
Seeing how painful revisiting the past was for Rose, Lizzy understood why she made peace by leaving it behind. Lizzy felt privileged to share in the poignant, intimate moment with her grandmother. She gained insight into the hardships Rose endured and life lessons learned.
As for Brock Lovett, Rose’s decision left him bitterly disappointed. Yet her wise words about life being more precious than objects resonated with him. Later discovering a drawing of a naked Rose wearing the jewel made him realize Rose was the real treasure, not the diamond.
Ultimately, Rose helped those close to her appreciate deeper meanings over materialism. Through her example, they learned to value memories, wisdom, and closure. Letting go of physical possessions can allow room for emotional and spiritual growth instead.
Conclusion
In the film Titanic, the elderly Rose tossing the priceless Heart of the Ocean into the sea is a pivotal moment. On the surface, it seems a shocking waste of an invaluable gem. However, for Rose, giving up the diamond carries deep symbolic meaning. It represents letting go of past pain, gaining freedom, and living life to the fullest. Her decision brings the closure and peace necessary to move forward unfettered by history’s anchor.
The necklace was a burden weighing down her heart. By releasing it to the lightness of water, Rose felt that organ finally unchained. No longer defined by tragedies or possessions, she could focus on the fullness of life. Rose’s example teaches profound lessons about valuing memories over materials and people over things. Leaving the Heart of the Ocean in its rightful place allowed her heart to soar.