The Philosopher

This is the first of what surely will be several LOST-related posts in the near future. So, sorry to those who may feel marooned by such trivial talk.

Pops' last post delved into the underlying religious (mostly Christian) themology that informs much of the first season, specifically the idea of redemption and John Locke's role in that metaphysical mix.

As I briefly addressed in a post from my early LOSTie days, the first season contains much unmistakable and familiar Christian themology in some episodes (The Moth is a particularly clear example.) I originally found such reliance on overwrought literary technique a little annoying, though certainly not unbearable. Upon rewatching, it seems even less annoying, with the foreknowledge about how the concept of spirituality is addressed with increasing sophistication as the show moves through more seasons. Undoubtedly, one of the central figures in driving the spiritual element of the show is John Locke (Man of Faith, see season 2 episode 1).

This is just one reason why I find Locke to be one of, if not my number one, favorite character. I suppose I must explain my rationale for judging characters in the context of the show. For starters, I think how we view characters on the island is determined by both their actions on the island and what we learn about them from their respective flashbacks. Both parts must be there, though I'm not sure which aspect is more important.

Locke is awesome on both accounts. He is shrouded in duality, which in a show similarly shrouded in duality, makes him particularly compelling. From his earliest appearances, he is shown to symbolize two-sided conflict, and the difference between his off- and on-island selves adds to his mystique. In "Pilot, Part 2," the writers immediately establish Locke's duality, in his scene explaining to Walt under the auspices of backgammon that "There are two players. One side is light, and one side is dark." As we see throughout the series, the black vs. white motif is prevalent. The scar over his right eye is also a clear symbol of his dual nature.

He soon establishes his value and badass-ness on the island. He displays unshakable confidence and calm under the most harrowing of circumstances, a quality which I find among the greatest of humanity, both in fiction and real life. This places him in a role of quiet leadership, apart from both the panicky state of the other survivors and from Jack's frenetic drive to fix everything around him. An interesting sight-symbol I picked up on upon second viewing was the juxtaposition of he and Shannon in the crash scene. Shannon, a healthy and normal girl, stands, paralyzed by fear, whereas Locke, who only minutes early was actually paralyzed, is level-headed and almost immediately at peace with his earth- and life-shattering surroundings.

Though many dwell on his seeming awkwardness around the other survivors, I tend to see his actions toward them as, generally, magnanimous. He hunts and finds food for them. He makes Claire a cradle for her baby. He helps Charlie kick his heroin habit. He helps Walt and Michael find common ground, and he nourishes what he sees as Walt's 'special' abilities. He takes Boone under his wing when Boone is seen by most of the others as childish. Of course, he also clubs Sayid over the head, ruining what at that point seems like their best shot at rescue, and is unafraid to quibble with the other de-facto leader, Jack. He is dual to the core.

Off-island, Locke's backstory is so compelling because it is filled with emotional humanity and also because his old self stands in such distinct opposition to his on-island self. He fully takes advantage of the "Tabula Rasa" the island affords him.

It is no coincidence, I think, that the writers gave him one of the earliest flashback episodes, including one of the earliest and biggest revelations, or "holy-s***" moments, in the fourth episode, "Walkabout." The episode is still one of my favorites. It establishes the pathetic nature of his life, showing him being berated by his loser boss, Randy, at his loser job, filing TPS reports at a box company. He also is shown arguing on the phone with a woman, who is presumably an adult phone line operator, and we get the impression as he sits in his dingy apartment, that she is one of his few social contacts. Of course, the big reveal is when he is in Australia, at the Walkabout company, and shown to be wheelchair-bound.

As we learn even more about him, (see episodes 1.19, "Deus Ex Machina"; 2.17, "Lockdown"; 3.3, "Further Instructions") we see that his life off-island appears to be little more than a series of tragedies, with Locke being manipulated again and again by others for whom he feels love, admiration or sympathy. Almost as if his sole purpose in life is merely to serve as a pawn in some cosmic chess match.

All in all, the greatest judgment of a man is how he is viewed by and interacts with his fellow man. Off-island, he is tragic, pathetic, needy, dependent upon others to fill the emotional void in his life. Post-crash he is self-assured, spiritually and physically renewed, a leader of others, a divine creature.

In the words of John Donne, "no man is an island, entire of itself." But when self and island converge, the result can be magical.

**Image from wikipedia: John Locke, Philosopher.