A Panel on Jack Dawsonâs Death in Titanic
I am rarely insecure. When Rose DeWitt Bukater told me she wanted to explore her feelings for Jack Dawson, I was happy for her. I encouraged her to date other people because my job on the Titanic often required me to pivot.
At first, things were amazing. We coordinated date night schedules. I was even the one who suggested, âI bet if you pick Rose up and balance her on the bow of the ship, sheâll be like, âIâm flying, Jack.ââ
Jack had a childlike generosity, but he could also be viciously petty. One night, he did a nude portrait of Rose, and Rose said, âNow do a portrait of me and Door.â
Jackâs response was, âNo.â Then he, like, folded up his charcoal drawing set and left the cabin.
Whether Jack just had a really specific artistic vision, or simply didnât want me in the portrait out of jealousy, we reassured him that honesty and safety were the sole requirements of the relationship. Still, he was unwilling to process his experience with us, or provide information that would have helped everyone meet each otherâs needs, leading him to become closed oïŹ, distrustful, and ultimately more self-sabotaging.
Another night Jack said, âIâm taking Rose to Irish Jig Core Rave at the pop-up DIY underground anarchist space in the hull of the ship.â
I said, âItâs my one night oïŹ. Could I go too? Itâll be unhinged!â
Jack got really quiet and said, âI didnât know it was your one night oïŹ. I was thinking just me and Rose. I planned this.â
I had clearly written, "Door's one night oïŹ!!!! XOXO LETâS DO SOMETHING FUN <3" in the group calendar. I didnât see Irish Jig Core Rave anywhere. After that, everything got so weird.
When the Titanic hit an iceberg, it was like the final manifestation of my boundaries being disrespected. Then, drifting out into the ocean amidst the mass destruction, I realized I wanted to save the relationship.Â
Rose climbed out of the water on top of me, and we were like âCâmon Jack, thereâs plenty of room.â
Jack said, âYou obviously want it to be exclusively you two. Iâll just tread water.â
I said, âWhat are you talking about? You can both obviously fit on top of me without sinking. Anyway, youâre the ones who ghosted me the night of Irish Jig Core Rave.â
Then, Rose said, âWait, what? Jack, you told me Door was working that night.â
âScrew Irish Jig Core Rave,â said Jack. âYou always try to make me the bad person.â
âŠAnd you always call me a âbootlickerâ for being the only one in this relationship with a job, I thought, but at that point, we all had to not die. I said, âIâm sorry. Could we talk about it on shore? Get on top of me. I'll be your life raft until a rescue boat arrives. There's room for both you and Rose.â
Jack said, âIâm not getting on top of you. I don't want your charity.â
I said, âI donât want you to get hypothermia.â
Then, Jack lost it. âYou donât want me? Because Iâm an unemployed stowaway with no money? I donât want your ornate moulding or your thick coats of paint.â
âI wasn't always so gilded. I come from a lumberyard,â I pleaded. âWe cannot allow our shame and silence to build walls. Thatâs why I love being Door, so I can let others in.â
ââŠAnd shut them out whenever itâs convenient,â said Jack, his teeth chattering, his lips blue. "Y'know, technically," he continued venomously, âyouâre not even a door. Youâre a panel. How about we all float on top of me for a change. Or am I not good enough?â
Jack lay face down in the frozen water and straightened his body like a plank. Rose said, âLetâs do this for Jack. He needs the validation.â
By then, the dynamic was so toxic that I dissociated. Rose got on top of Jack, and I got on top of Rose. We were like, âJack, youâre amazing at this. Your body is super stiïŹ.â Then, Jack started to sink. We tried to save him, but he was lifeless.
To preserve the dignity of Jackâs memory, we told the world he sacrificed himself for Rose, but I now understand the harm perpetuated by a narrative enabling problematic social standards in an emergency scenario. I formally apologize to anyone who expressed doubt that it was necessary for Jack Dawson to drown at the end of Titanic only to be dismissed as a conspiracy theorist. Though we possessed the resources to save Jack, we failed him, and I will always regret the role I played in this tragedy as gatekeeper.
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