His desperation to regain past glory, his suffering, his human nature to cling to the best moments of his life. The desire to cling to something that once defined you is something many of us can relate to. I especially like the idea that his suicide attempt was not just despair, but also self-actualization. In a way, the suicide attempt forced him and his daughter to show their true selves. And that final scene, whether he literally flew or whether it symbolizes his liberation, feels like he has finally let go of everything that had bound him.