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| + | Fans of LOST have formulated many '''theories'''. Often, these are meant to explain the many unusual occurrences seen upon show. Others are used to understand the underlying literary intent of the show's creators. |
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| − | {{fanon}} |
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| + | == Literary Interpretation and Television == |
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| − | Fans of Lost have formulated several '''theories''' about the series. This article lists some of them: |
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| + | Literature has been interpreted in many different ways since the earliest parts of history. Television ranks as one of the most popular art forms today, and interpretation of televised media is widely practiced. Modern shows, such as LOST, can invoke a plethora of different responses from viewers because of the elaborate layers of exposition woven through the show. Additionally, much modern television allows for deliberate degrees of "uncertainty," intended to intrigue and often confuse the viewer about aspects of plot, character intention, and moral themes. LOST not only does this well, but arguably does it better than any other U.S. show currently in production. As a result, a huge fan following on the internet and elsewhere has formed dedicated to the interpretation of LOST. Topics range from devices used to explain the numerous peculiarities of plot, to discussions of theology as exposed in the show, to discussions regarding the show's commentary on modern culture, literature, science, and religion. |
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| − | * [[Noah's Ark Theory]] |
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| − | * [[Doomsday Weapon Project under the Facade of a Civilian Scientific Mission]] |
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| − | * [[Purgatory (theory)|The survivors are in Purgatory or somehow "between places"]] |
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| − | * [[Social Experiment (theory)|The whole island is an ongoing social experiment]] |
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| − | * [[shared hallucination (theory)|It is a Virtual Reality/(guided) Dreamstate or shared Hallucination]] |
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| − | * [[Artificial Environment (theory)|They are in an artificial environment]] |
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| − | * [[Last Humans (theory)|The Survivors are the last remnants of humanity]] |
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| − | * [[Pandora's Box (theory)|Scientific Experiment that accidentally opened a Mystical Pandora's Box]] |
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| − | * [[Lost Continent (theory)|The Survivors have landed on an island that used to be Atlantis or Lemuria]] |
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| − | * [[The Tempest (theory)|The Tempest Theory]] |
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| − | * [[Christmas (theory)|The Christmas Theory]] |
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| − | * [[Rapture (theory)|The Rapture Theory]] |
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| − | * [[Dreamtime (theory)|They are in “Dreamtime”]] |
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| − | * [[Volunteers (theory)|They signed up for it]] |
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| − | * [[Clones (theory)|The survivors are clones]] |
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| − | * [[Y2K (theory)|The Y2K Theory]] |
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| − | * [[Naive Realism (theory)|Every event happens as depicted (realism)]] |
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| − | * [[Box|The "Box" Theory]] |
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| + | == LOST Theories == |
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| + | |||
| + | Fans have produced a large body of theories either intended to "fill in the gaps" or guide the understanding of the show. While they can differ wildly, it is possible to sort them into several broad groupings based upon their fundamental appeal. A full listing of those featured on LOSTPEDIA are at the bottom of this page. |
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| + | |||
| + | === Ontological Theories === |
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| + | |||
| + | Most prominent amongst these theories are those used to explain the strange occurrences seen upon the show. Some argue that world seen upon the show is existentially different from our world, such as that a [[Pandora's Box (theory)|scientific experiment opened a mystical Pandora's Box]], or the (probably most popular) theory that the show depicts characters in [[Purgatory (theory)|Purgatory or somehow "between places"]]. |
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| + | |||
| + | === Psychological Theories === |
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| + | |||
| + | Other theories seek to explain the show by a psychological appeal, usually maintaining that either the events on the Island or those in flashback (or sometimes both) are inherently deceptive. Notable in this category are the concept that [[Social Experiment (theory)|the Island is an ongoing social experiment]] or that the show occurs within a [[shared hallucination (theory)|dreamstate or hallucination]]. |
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| + | |||
| + | === Realist Theories === |
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| + | |||
| + | Still other viewers believe that the show occurs in a world much akin to ours, and that the exposition of the show is inherently truthful, but that much remains to be revealed before an understanding of the show can be achieved. Examples include the idea that the survivors [[Volunteers (theory)|signed up the be upon the Island]] or that the events on the show are a result of [[Y2K (theory)|Y2K]]. |
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| + | |||
| + | === Literary Theories === |
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| + | |||
| + | Some theories may use a direct appeal to a literary device as a fundamental facet of the show, or maintain that LOST is broadly an archetype or allusion to another work of literature or mythology. The theory that the Island is allegorically the [[Garden of Eden (Theory)|Garden of Eden]] or that each character must [[Breakthroughs|reach an inner peace]] to be complete are examples of this theory. |
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| + | |||
| + | === Parodies and Others === |
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| + | |||
| + | A sharp fanaticism from many LOST viewers has inspired a certain degree of cynicism regarding the interpretation of the show. Many humorous theories have been created as a response. These often fail to reasonably explain the show, but are capable of producing many laughs. |
||
| + | |||
| + | Similarly, a number of other theories have developed, usually relating to specific parts of the show. These theories are not as broad as the others seen here, but often inspire an equally fervent discussion amongst viewers. |
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| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | {{Theories}} |
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[[Category:Theories]] |
[[Category:Theories]] |
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Revision as of 19:10, 28 July 2006
Fans of LOST have formulated many theories. Often, these are meant to explain the many unusual occurrences seen upon show. Others are used to understand the underlying literary intent of the show's creators.
Literary Interpretation and Television
Literature has been interpreted in many different ways since the earliest parts of history. Television ranks as one of the most popular art forms today, and interpretation of televised media is widely practiced. Modern shows, such as LOST, can invoke a plethora of different responses from viewers because of the elaborate layers of exposition woven through the show. Additionally, much modern television allows for deliberate degrees of "uncertainty," intended to intrigue and often confuse the viewer about aspects of plot, character intention, and moral themes. LOST not only does this well, but arguably does it better than any other U.S. show currently in production. As a result, a huge fan following on the internet and elsewhere has formed dedicated to the interpretation of LOST. Topics range from devices used to explain the numerous peculiarities of plot, to discussions of theology as exposed in the show, to discussions regarding the show's commentary on modern culture, literature, science, and religion.
LOST Theories
Fans have produced a large body of theories either intended to "fill in the gaps" or guide the understanding of the show. While they can differ wildly, it is possible to sort them into several broad groupings based upon their fundamental appeal. A full listing of those featured on LOSTPEDIA are at the bottom of this page.
Ontological Theories
Most prominent amongst these theories are those used to explain the strange occurrences seen upon the show. Some argue that world seen upon the show is existentially different from our world, such as that a scientific experiment opened a mystical Pandora's Box, or the (probably most popular) theory that the show depicts characters in Purgatory or somehow "between places".
Psychological Theories
Other theories seek to explain the show by a psychological appeal, usually maintaining that either the events on the Island or those in flashback (or sometimes both) are inherently deceptive. Notable in this category are the concept that the Island is an ongoing social experiment or that the show occurs within a dreamstate or hallucination.
Realist Theories
Still other viewers believe that the show occurs in a world much akin to ours, and that the exposition of the show is inherently truthful, but that much remains to be revealed before an understanding of the show can be achieved. Examples include the idea that the survivors signed up the be upon the Island or that the events on the show are a result of Y2K.
Literary Theories
Some theories may use a direct appeal to a literary device as a fundamental facet of the show, or maintain that LOST is broadly an archetype or allusion to another work of literature or mythology. The theory that the Island is allegorically the Garden of Eden or that each character must reach an inner peace to be complete are examples of this theory.
Parodies and Others
A sharp fanaticism from many LOST viewers has inspired a certain degree of cynicism regarding the interpretation of the show. Many humorous theories have been created as a response. These often fail to reasonably explain the show, but are capable of producing many laughs.
Similarly, a number of other theories have developed, usually relating to specific parts of the show. These theories are not as broad as the others seen here, but often inspire an equally fervent discussion amongst viewers.
Template:Theories