Rose and her mother, Ruth (Frances Fisher), have a difficult relationship, with Ruth pressuring Rose to marry the abusive Cal Hockley (Billy Zane) in order to maintain their social status. Rose's father is dead and the family's money has run out, and Ruth is horrified by the idea of having to work for a living. Before Ruth boards a lifeboat, she and Rose have a final confrontation. Rose calls her mother out on her selfish concerns about the lifeboats being too crowded when half the people on board are going to die. Rose then says "Goodbye, Mother," with an air of finality, and leaves as her mother disembarks the ship.