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The only paradise is paradise lost. -Marcel Proust

— LaMer

Perhaps someone has brought this to light in the recent past, but I have been unable to find anything so I will gladly bring forward (in my opinion) some useful information. We all are quite aware that LOST is rather famous for basing characters and names off of influential people of our world—philosophers, scientists, writers, etc. etc. One man that I have been unable to find any previous theories on goes by the name of Marcel Proust. Arguably, his most famous piece of literature is called “À la recherche du temps perdu” which translates to most famously, “In Search of Lost Time” or earlier versions, “Remembrance of Things Past.” According to Wikipedia, in this seven volume book (One of the longest novels in history!) Proust explores the ideas of space, time, and memory. These, of course, are all familiar themes for us who have slaved away in the marshes of LOST trying to figure out what the hell is actually going on in this show.

One last fact to further my argument that Marcel Proust is relevant and related to LOST [ I know sometimes we see simple words in our day to day lives such as “whisper” or “lists” and immediately think of LOST. I, myself, was reading my US History textbook and came across the word “island” and immediately thought, “lost! this is related to lost 4 8 15 16 23 42! 4 8 15 16 23 42!” how sadly it has taken over our lives. ;-) ] is that the beloved “Mittelos” of Mittelos Bioscience is a confirmed anagram for “Lost Time.” (Coinciding with the book “In Search of Lost Time.)

In the book, the theme of “time” is explored. From Wikipedia, “The role of memory is central to the novel, hence the famous episode with the madeleine in the first volume. When the narrator’s grandmother dies, her agony is depicted as her seeming to fall apart; particularly, as her memories seem to flow out of her, she loses contact with it. In the last volume, Time Regained, a flashback similar to the madeleines episode is the beginning of the resolution of the story. The narrator is transported back to an earlier time by sensory experiences of memory, triggered by smells, sights, sounds, or touch.” This relates perfectly to LOST! Desmond most closely relates to this Madeleine character with his loss of memory. How does he transport back and forth? Once it was hearing the familiar beeping of the microwave in his apartment (Sound), the soccer game on the TV in the pub (Sight), and most recently, any contact with water (Touch—possibly from watching Charlie drown in the Looking Glass?).

Not only are ideas of Proust’s brought to life in the show, his own personal life is rather relevant. Proust’s father was a doctor who was world renowned for his studies and progress with plagues and spreading diseases and his brother was a famous surgeon. Sound familiar? Lastly, (in my humble opinion) the most exciting nugget of information is that his grandfather manufactured wax and made candles. Marvin Candle? Mark Wickmund? Edgar Halowax? Could this be the origin of our mysterious candle character? If you do not know what I am referring to, please read up!

http://lostpedia.com/wiki/Edgar_halowax

I leave you with some exciting quotes from Marcel Proust himself:

“It is always during a passing state of mind that we make lasting resolutions.”

“Time passes, and little by little everything that we have spoken in falsehood becomes true.”

And most excitingly,

“The only paradise is paradise lost.”

Other French Philosophers have played a role in LOST. Most recognizably, Jean-Jacque Rousseau which was touched on in an excellent theory on this site. Please read, I think you may change your mind about the curious (and possibly dead?) Danielle Rousseau.

http://lost-theories.com/theories/2007/dec/07/youve-gottamake-your-own-kind-/

Thank you, y2gatti, for your helpful information!

Peace, love, and April 24th. Cheers!

Key characters

Short Name	Full Name	Episodes	Theories
Desmond	Desmond David Hume	2.23, 3.17, 4.5	899

Key episodes

#	Title	Aired	Central character	Theories
4.5	The Constant	2-28-2008	Desmond	156

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