The Darjeeling Limited is not intended for everyone, and will surely be disliked by many movie critics. To capture the true beauty of The Darjeeling, you must understand the symbols presented throughout the film. There is a large amount of symbolism in this movie, but the 3 main elements are: the 3 feathers, the belt, and all of the suitcases carried by the brothers. Each object carries a symbolic message, which can be viewed upon close interpretation of the film.
Each brother is presented with a feather. These feathers can represent different things; but one of them is they way you feel about the way life is going. When they perform the ritual, we can clearly see that each brother feels differently about the way their life is going. Francis Whitman (Owen Wilson) performs the ritual correctly, symbolizing that he is excited about his future, and will keep his past in the back of his mind (burying the feather under a rock). Francis feels that his spiritual journey will change him for the better. Peter Witman (Adrien Brody) does not feel the same way about his life. Not only doesn’t he burry the feather, but he keeps it. This symbolizes the feeling of being incomplete. With a baby expected in the next 6 weeks, he feels uneasy and confused, not sure where his life is going. Peter is scared to let go of his past, and move forward. He fears a major change in his life, and is afraid to break out of his comfort zone, so he keeps the feather. Finally, Jack Whitman (Jason Schwartzman) lets the feather get blown away by the wind. This represents unhappiness and anger. Jack wants to forget his past, and to start a new life. He does not want to get involved in conversations, and writes short stories to help him move in the right direction (seeking happiness). The stories were described by Peter to have an angry nature. But the wind can only take a feather so far, and Jack will eventually have to confront his feelings in order to move on.
Francis carries a valuable belt, which represents love. The belt carries old, loving memories of his past; and at times, he gave the belt to Peter, ready to leave his old memories behind in order to create new ones. However, when Francis feels unhappy/depressed/angry, he seeks the old love again by taking the belt away from Peter. This happens a few times throughout the movie, symbolizing that Peter is not yet ready to give up a material object of love. Whenever Francis gives his belt to Peter permanently, it is a symbol that he is happy, and has created new loving memories on his journey. He is also passing his love down to Peter, who is in desperate need of it. As one would say, “Let the belt work for you as it did for me”.
One more element of symbolism in The Darjeeling Limited are the suitcases of the brothers. All of the suitcase represents the past lives of the Whitman brothers. Whether it be happy, sad, or neutral memories. Whenever they travel, they always keep their suitcases close-by. However, as they experience a spiritual change towards the end of the movie, they don’t need their past anymore. While running to catch a train, they all throw their suitcases on the ground, leaving them behind. This is the turning point of The Darjeeling, symbolizing that all 3 brothers have experienced a spiritual change, and are ready to make new lives for themselves. Shortly after, they perform the feather ritual together correctly, a symbol of true change.
The Darjeeling Limited is a movie based on symbolism, with a message behind each line, character, and event. You may have to re-watch the movie to gain the intended insight of the director. But The Darjeeling is meant to be a work of art, not an entertaining film. It is a symbol of life, and the things we do as a people in order to change our own.
