Interpretation of final voice over of the film?
First off, I absolutely loved this film and I think it's one of the most under-rated films of the past few years.
I was wondering how people interpreted the final passage of the film, when the whole family is on the sailboat and Joan Allen is reading a passage out of a book. I am one of the worst people that interpreting poetry, or song lyrics, so here they are. It kind of bugged me when I didn't really understand the final passage, but when I read it...well here it is first:
"Every time all hands were sent
to the halyard, a song was called for...
...and we hoisted away with a will.
Sail after sail was added...
...as we drew into fine weather, and in
one week after leaving Cape Horn...
...the long, topgallant masts
were got up...
...topgallant and royal yards crossed...
...and the ship restored
to her fair proportions.
The Southern Cross
and Magellan Clouds...
...settled lower and lower
in the horizon.
And so great was our change
in latitude...
...that each succeeding night we sank
some constellation in the south...
...and raised another
in the northern horizon."
Is the sinking constellation in the south representing the past and the indelible memories of the past, and the northern horizon as the future...so looking back at the past with fondness, but also looking forward to an optimistic future?
it just bugs me when the final voice overs of films go over my head.