Christian allegory?

This is too interesting. Needs its own thread.

Quoting EtherDave from the Nonnie thread:

The film is often interpreted as christian allegory, with the survivors' trek to the underside of the hull compared to a pilgrim's progress, either to religious salvation or literally to heaven (note the blinding light of the sky that streams into the hull near the film's end). The survivors are interpreted as christian stereotypes (the Good Wife, the Faithful Servant, the Errant Knight, etc.) each representing different aspects of christian faith. Images of drowning, water, fire, and burning are reminiscent of Dante and other christian-based literature. The survivors are briefly tempted to follow the Bow People to seek salvation in the opposite direction they are headed, suggesting diabolical obstruction. However, since the original author, Paul Gallico, has never said anything explicitly about this, and the filmmakers haven't said anything either, this remains simply an engaging theory for discussion.