Literary Lost

From the moment that Watership Down made its appearance on screen in season one, speculation about Lost's literary allusions has played an important role in the larger discussion of the show. Fans and critics alike have noted the many references, from biblical passages and children's stories to science fiction and classic novels.

Literary Lost teases out the critical significance of these featured books, demonstrating how literature has served to enhance the meaning of the show. It provides a fuller understanding of Lost and reveals how television can be used as a tool for stimulating a deeper interest in literary texts.

The first chapter features an exhaustive list of "Lost books," including the show's predecessor texts. Subsequent chapters are arranged thematically, covering topics from free will and the nature of time to parenthood and group dynamics. From Lewis Carroll's creations, which appear as recurring images and themes throughout, to Slaughterhouse-Five's lessons on the nature of time, Literary Lost will help readers unravel the show's novelistic plot while celebrating its astonishing layers and nuances of text.

Autorentext

Sarah Clarke Stuart teaches composition, media studies and literature at the University of North Florida. She has been teaching and writing about Lost for several years.

Inhalt

Introduction "What, Don't You Read?": Lost's Literary Influence
Chapter 1: The Books of Lost
Chapter 2 "Are You There, God?": Faith, Sacrifice and Redemption
Chapter 3: Who Has the "Power Over the Clay"? Purpose, Fate and Free Will
Chapter 4 Stuck and "Unstuck" in Time: a Tradition of Time Travel
Chapter 5 "Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath": Lost Parents
Chapter 6 "We're All Mad Here": Dreams, Illusions and the Nature of Reality
Chapter 7 "Maybe there is a beast....maybe it's only us": Group Dynamics and the Communities of Lost
Chapter 9 A Conclusion: The Purpose of "Stories that Aren't Even True"
Appendix 1
Bibliography
End Notes