Through the first reel the clash between two conflicting ways of life is evident. Juliette is torn between love for her conventional husband and the secret desire to be free like Jules. In the second half of the film a decision has to be made. Jean Vigo, an anarchist and surrealist, makes the answer no. Pere Jules decides that Juliette can not be free and so rebuilds the marriage between her and his captain.
Marriage is used here to symbolise the patriarchal social order supposedly left behind on dry land.
The conclusion of the film is that the status quo shall remain for the good of all. The film ends with an aerial shot of the barge making its way along a canal. We have still not got used to this symbol of sexuality. Vigo uses special effects to great effect in this blend of surrealism and poetic-realism. Jean jumps into the water, not knowing what else to do when Juliette disappears, and sees her everywhere he looks.