Themes
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Savagery vs. Civilization
Throughout the beginning of the series, the Others are all portrayed as unkempt and brutal savages, fighting and killing the survivors of Flight 815 without warning or reason. Gradually in later episodes, they appear to be methodical people with a set plan. In "Maternity Leave," it's revealed that Mr. Friendly's beard is fake, and that much of the savagery may be an act, as they are seen in flashbacks to be clean and wearing lab coats.
In "Tabula Rasa," Sawyer mocks Jack for trying to save the marshal, implying that Sawyer has the better plan, to be an opportunist who looks out for himself when times get tough. He says, "You're just not looking at the big picture, Doc. You're still back in civilization." When Jack asks where he is, Sawyer responds "Me? I'm in the wild."
In "Confidence Man," Jack says, "We're not savages, Kate. Not yet." when she asks him what keeps him from hurting Sawyer to get the medication. Later, Sayid threatens to torture him in an attempt to extract that information, and Sawyer says, "Oh, you want to torture me, don't you? Show everybody how civilized you are." Sayid resorts to torture, without results, and the guilt drives him into the wild to be by himself in "Solitary," where he meets Danielle.
Danielle Rousseau's last name is likely inspired by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, an influential philosopher who wrote The Noble Savage and theorized that that Man is born free and untainted, but is corrupted by society. Danielle herself could be symbolic of a "noble savage."
In "...In Translation," Sawyer captures Jin, who he incorrectly believes burned the raft, and should be punished. He says "You're pretty scared, huh? Scared, you understand scared, don't you? Huh? [Sawyer pushes Jin down.] If you ain't, you're going to be, Bruce. Folks down on the beach might have been doctors and accountants a month ago, but it's Lord of the Flies time, now."
In "The Other 48 Days," Ana-Lucia throws Nathan in the pit, thinking he is an Other. Goodwin, the real OTHER spy, tells her "We should let him go. We're not savages." Ana-Lucia says, "If I were a savage I would have cut off his finger already. That's tomorrow." The next day, Nathan is missing (secretly killed by Goodwin), and in private, Ana-Lucia reveals her distrust, and the pretense goes away as they fight in a savage battle that ends with Goodwin impaled on a spear.
In "What Kate Did," Charlie refers to the experience that the tail section went through, and says, "They seem to have had a rough time of it. It looks like they went bloody Lord of the Flies out there."
In "One of Them," when The Prisoner "Henry" is shot with an arrow by Danielle, and subsequently held captive in the Armory, Sayid wants to torture him for information. Again, many of the same issues are raised as in "The Long Con," but this time Sayid does not feel guilty for beating him, because he believes he is one of the Others.
In "Two for the Road," Michael tells Ana-Lucia of the Others, "They're animals. I've seen these people and they are animals. They took my son -- right out of my hands -- they took my son and -- I'll do it. Give me the gun. I'll kill him. Because that's what they do."
Item Last Updated: April 22, 2006, 02:48:42 AM by Pandora
