20 Things You Somehow Missed In Titanic

5. The Irish Mother's Haunting Bedtime Story

Titanic cover
Fox

We've already mentioned that Jenette Goldstein appears in the film as the Irish immigrant mother who puts her children to sleep shortly before they all drown, but the story gets even sadder than it seems on the surface.

We hear the end of the story, where the mother tells her sleepy kids, "And so they lived, happily together for three-hundred years. In the land of Tír na nÓg, of eternal youth and beauty."

Though this might gloss over most viewers, it's clear that the mother is trying to find a way to make sense of the fact that her beloved kids are about to be drowned. Furthermore, the land of Tír na nÓg is a significant city in Celtic folklore, which can only be reached by swimming underwater.

Once you realise that she's not simply telling the kids a sweet story but literally allegorising their impending drowning death, it's even more painful to watch unfold.

Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.