Flight 815-ers Unite discussion

So I just spent two days forcing myself to read this novel, and really am at a loss for Lost signifigance. Has anyone read this book? Can you enlighten me as to why the writers would list this as a novel they link to the show?

I know the main character Marlow visited multiple 'stations' throughout the novel, that could be a nod towards the Dharma stations, however, the ones in the novel didnt really seem to be used for any sort of research perse.

And for a moment, I thought of Mr. Kurtz as a Jacob-like character, for most of the novel he is just a name that seems to invoke spooky respect, and it was mentioned more than once that it was his 'voice' that he was mostly known for. As tho Mr.Kurtz was just a disembodied voice, and not a man.

Bummer Lori.I hate investing time in a bbok and not enjoy it.I've heard similiar complaints with this book and have not been inspired to pick it up.I guess I'm a big suck when it comes to challenging reads.

Okay, so I've had a night to calmly and rationally think this through. I think you came at the book from the wrong angle. As a story, it's only mediocre. However, as an exploration of colonialism and the baser instincts of humankind, Heart of Darkness is well-nigh untouchable. Though if it's Conrad's antiquated writing style that threw you off, I'd recommend watching Apocalypse Now.

I don't know that there is a clear link between HoD and Lost as far as the novella's events are concerned, but they both tend to deal with similar issues.

So, the crux of the book is that Kurtz tried to bring "civilization" to the natives but in the course of it loses his own humanity and sets himself up as a god. Unfortunately, he is not a deity and succumbs to yellow fever.

First, the whole "civilizing" aspect of the book I can see tying into the Dharma Initiative's attempts to harness the power of the island, but in reality just putting a glossy facade on top of a strong and unknowable power. For example, the button-pushing over the magnetic anomaly and the time-traveling rabbits covering the island-mover. Beneath this ruse of scientific credibility beats the true Heart of the island.

Likewise, you can see a lot of Kurtz's downfall in Locke. In trying to understand the island and unravel its secrets, Locke loses his humanity and becomes the de facto god of the Others who, I guess, fill in for the natives here in their sheer inscrutability. Locke's loss of his humanity is a slow unraveling that reminds me of that Nietzsche quote, "and if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." Locke's own Heart of Darkness becomes revealed as he sacrifices friends and lives to understand the island. Eventually he will lose his life to it, though whether this is island-caused or not remains to be seen.

Regardless, all this talk about HoD makes me want to go reread it again. It's definitely in my Top 10 favorites, and I can't believe it's been a couple years since I last read it. Thanks for reminding me, Lori.

Wow Logan,well thought out and insightful post!I especially thought what you had to say about Locke was dead on and I have had the same thoughts about Ben,that in the beginning perhaps his purpose was more honorable but has become corrupt over time as Locke's is.

Wow Logan. I always find it amazing how people can do that. Totally see what I did not. I can see what you are talking about now, but am ashamed I couldnt see that on my own (tsk tsk)... Oh well, that is why I love to post book topics and do the group reads.. It is interesting and oftentimes eye opening to see through someone elses eyes as they read the book.

I am not sure I really followed the book all that well either. I would lose track of things and found myself going back a paragraph to reread it, and sometimes i still didnt follow along. hmmm... I did pick up on all the deaths from the fever tho, and was wondering if that was anything like the island sickeness....

Give me a little while and I'm sure that I can come up with some more links. I've written more papers on this book than any other, and writing the above made me break out Apocalypse Now to watch during work today.

You should never feel bad about not taking away the same things from a book than another person did- that's what makes us individuals as opposed to some weird psychic gestalt. I had completely forgotten about the Stations (trading posts) in HoD until you brought them up.