Why Moana couldn’t cross the reef, the first time

Many people have made a theory, on this topic already but after watching Moana today, here is my own take on it.

We know Moana’s father (Cheif Tui) tried to cross the reef however, he didn’t make it pass. What I want to explore is why he wanted to cross the reef. It appears, in the movie, that he was just drawn to the ocean, hungry for adventure, without knowing about the heart of Te Fiti; similar to how Moana was in the earlier stages of the film.

Now when Moana tries to cross the reef (for the first time) the ocean is also not on her side. Her motives for crossing the reef, for the first time, where the same as her fathers. It was pure curiosity of what lied beyond the horizon of the ocean.

After the near death experience, Grandma Tala tells Moana about the heart of Te Fiti, which she thought was “a dream.” She now knows that it was not a dream but in fact a reality and her island really is in danger.

 

The second time Moana attempts to cross she is successful. Coincidence? I don’t think so. I believe it’s because the ocean will only let those who are attempting, to put back the Heart Of Te Fiti cross.

 

Before anyway says but Moana’s father did know. Just before Moana leaves she shows her father the Heart Of Te Fiti. He dismisses it and says “this is just rock,” however, this fools know one as his tone of voice says otherwise. However, I believe the whole time he has seen the heart as myth and now there is living proof, he is overwhelmed by the fact it is true. Therefore, he never had motives of

crossing the reef, to put the heart back, 

 

 

In conclusion, I believe that in order to cross the reef - before the heart was restored- you had to have motives to restore the heart.