LOST-Theories.com

Narrative unfolds on a historical level.

I posted this on another site, didnt get any worthwhile feedback, so I figured that I would post it up here to see if anyone has anything to say.

The plot line of lost is unfolding on a historical plane. Season 1 put the losties in a state on nature; season 2 opposed the losties to the ‘others’ (a loaded word), locked in a sort of colonialism conflict (tribal v colonizer); season 3 Ben as self stylized divine right monarch entrentched in the Leviathan (the Hydra station), and saw the divine right mystique unravel (even though I think Ben was responsible for his own overthrow); and season 4 saw the full fledged enlightenment invasion.

The point of this post is that there are parrallels of season 4 and the french revolution. The critique is that … we’ll I’m not sure what the critique is, but the story is, obviously one of epic proportions, and while each invidual seems wrapped up in their self, the conflict with which they are engaged has social implications.

A) The groups on the boat

The peoples on the boat break down into two main groups. Scientists and commando rabbel.

The first contact with the island is through ths scientists. I admit its kind of a shoe horn job trying to fit miles in this group, but anthropology and physics are mainline enlightenment sciences.

Enlightenment thought might have been introduced by scientists, but as science allows for bourgeoise mastery of nature to upset the natural order imposed by the ancien regime, the rable, via Keamey and his people, assert themselves.

Totally out of control.

B) Rousseau’s death

While Rousseau’s signal probably reached no one, as it was not permitted to leave the island, Rousseau’s philosophy breached the top down dissemenation of reason, and welcomed people to the island, preaching social contract between parties of equal bargaining power (ie equal dignity). The numbers bearing simularity to the golden mean, might embody reasonable rationalization, and the (made up) power and influence of rational thought (I think that a main point of the show in the remaining time it has will be to submit this rationalizing force to Humean critique).

Rousseau’s murder by Keamey and his followers is symbolic of the betrayal of the philosophy by the French Revolutionaries, by the rabble.

C) Burke

Burke supported the American Revolution but was against the French Revolution.

Why? Briefly the american colonial response was appropriate. The french explosion was the upsurge of the mob: “the break with the ancien regime did […] represent a sudden erruption of natural rights of individuals, or their rediscovery in a society corrupted by gothic institutions.” ) Francois Furet. This sudden upsurge of the rabble broke down the necessary instutions necessary for order.

In 1789, while liberal english were lauding the regime change, by the mid 90s (sorry for the sloppy history) everyone was in horror. Burke predicted the end result.

Juliet had a strained relationship with Ben the monarch. Privately, she never, shall we say, got in bed with him, commit to his program fully. But pubilicly, as far as any of the others knew, she was all his.

Thus Juliet favors the Losties, and is skeptical of the boat people. In “The Other Woman”, she moves to stop the scientist, it is only with resignation that she allows them to do what they do. In the end she watches the events unfold, watches the ship explode/nation explode from across the water.

D) Regime Change

The end product is regime change. Locke replaces king Ben. The popularly elected ruler, will not be divine to the extent of Ben.

But note that Juliet is still on the island, she will necessarily exert a conservative presence on the events that are about to happen.

I predict strange interplay between her and Sawyer (who is american rable personified).

Also, maybe her conservatism will be open to island control from outside influence promising stability.

This is just a brief sketch, maybe it could be better done by an other.

Thanks

Key characters

Short Name	Full Name	Episodes	Theories
Ben	Benjamin Linus	3.20, 4.9, & 3” href=”/episodes/theres-no-place-home-parts-2-3/”>4.13	1581

Key episodes

#	Title	Aired	Central character	Theories
4.13	There’s No Place Like Home, Parts 2 & 3	5-30-2008	Jack, John, Ben	215

Key events

Theme	Relevant Episodes	Theories
Sun becomes pregnant	2.16	148

Key locations

Theme	Relevant Episodes	Theories
The Hydra Station	3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.9	42

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