Although the comparison to the novel, Lost Horizon (James Hilton, 1933) has most likely been done, I think it is worth looking at it again. I would like to submit the following as a theory not so much on the happenings of Lost, but more a theory on its inspiration. In addition to comparisons with Lost Horizon, I would also like to use comparisons with some of the writing and philosophies which inspired Lost Horizon.
Synopsis of Lost Horizon, novel James Hilton 1933
Four people are involved in an airplane crash. They are discovered by a group of monks and taken to the mysterious village of Shangri-La, which is revealed to be a secret paradise. Some of the crash victims feel they have reached paradise, such as protagonist Hugh Conway, and others feel that they are captives. Hugh Conway, it is discovered is to become the High Lama of Shangri-La
---------------Lost and Lost Horizon--------------
1. Titles: Lost and Lost Horizon
2. Plane crash: In both, the plane is far of course, the original scheduled pilot is not the one to fly the plane and that pilot is killed in the crash.
3. Healing powers: In Lost Horizon, a very ill passenger is healed. In Lost, Locke can again walk
4. Location: The worlds cannot be found by outside world
5. Supplies: Modern conveniences are available. Supplies are periodically dropped off.
6. Past transgressions: Both stories have a character hesitant to return to the outside world because of their criminal activity.
7. Religion/Philosophy: Dharma, “Namaste”, and the Dharma logos are all related to eastern religion/philosophy. The lamasery in Shangri-La is Buddhist.
8. Life span Residents of Shangri-La live much longer than the normal lifespan, some for 100’s of years. This seems to be because of electricity in the air and some sort of drug. The current High Lama is a couple of hundreds years old.
9. Return: After leaving Shangri-La, the main character in Lost Horizon seeks desperately to return.
10. Knowledge: As in Lost, the leaders in Shangri-La know all the details about the passengers
11. World destruction. The lamas of Shangri-La seek to save the true way of life and the knowledge of the world. They know a war is coming.
12. The lists/ the good guys-Hugh Conway is said to be “one of the good ones”
13. Character names: Both have a very knowledgeable character named Chang
--------Lost, Shambala and Agartha----------------
James Hilton based Shangri-La on Shambala, a mystical utopian society sometimes said to be the capital of Agartha a large underground society. (Lost’s tunnels?)
The name Shambala first appears in a text known as the Kalachakra tantra or Wheel of Time teaching. According to the Kalachakra there are cycles in which, barbaric hordes invade the world and try to eliminate all possibilities civilization. When all hope is lost, Shambala will become visible and the peace will be restored. An actual date of this destruction is said to be know.and is predicted for the year 2424. The Valenzetti equation is said to predict the same thing.
There are allegedly several entrances to the Kingdom of Agartha throughout the world. Among them are:
* California – home of many of our Losties
* Pyramid of Giza, Egypt. – heiroglyphs, statue etc.?
* North Pole - polar bears?
The song, Shambala is played in "Tricia Tanaka Is Dead. And briefly referenced in In "The Man Behind the Curtain".
In rereading Lost Horizon, I came up with other similarities, but this is enough for now. If you got this far, thanks for reading.
Synopsis of Lost Horizon, novel James Hilton 1933
Four people are involved in an airplane crash. They are discovered by a group of monks and taken to the mysterious village of Shangri-La, which is revealed to be a secret paradise. Some of the crash victims feel they have reached paradise, such as protagonist Hugh Conway, and others feel that they are captives. Hugh Conway, it is discovered is to become the High Lama of Shangri-La
---------------Lost and Lost Horizon--------------
1. Titles: Lost and Lost Horizon
2. Plane crash: In both, the plane is far of course, the original scheduled pilot is not the one to fly the plane and that pilot is killed in the crash.
3. Healing powers: In Lost Horizon, a very ill passenger is healed. In Lost, Locke can again walk
4. Location: The worlds cannot be found by outside world
5. Supplies: Modern conveniences are available. Supplies are periodically dropped off.
6. Past transgressions: Both stories have a character hesitant to return to the outside world because of their criminal activity.
7. Religion/Philosophy: Dharma, “Namaste”, and the Dharma logos are all related to eastern religion/philosophy. The lamasery in Shangri-La is Buddhist.
8. Life span Residents of Shangri-La live much longer than the normal lifespan, some for 100’s of years. This seems to be because of electricity in the air and some sort of drug. The current High Lama is a couple of hundreds years old.
9. Return: After leaving Shangri-La, the main character in Lost Horizon seeks desperately to return.
10. Knowledge: As in Lost, the leaders in Shangri-La know all the details about the passengers
11. World destruction. The lamas of Shangri-La seek to save the true way of life and the knowledge of the world. They know a war is coming.
12. The lists/ the good guys-Hugh Conway is said to be “one of the good ones”
13. Character names: Both have a very knowledgeable character named Chang
--------Lost, Shambala and Agartha----------------
James Hilton based Shangri-La on Shambala, a mystical utopian society sometimes said to be the capital of Agartha a large underground society. (Lost’s tunnels?)
The name Shambala first appears in a text known as the Kalachakra tantra or Wheel of Time teaching. According to the Kalachakra there are cycles in which, barbaric hordes invade the world and try to eliminate all possibilities civilization. When all hope is lost, Shambala will become visible and the peace will be restored. An actual date of this destruction is said to be know.and is predicted for the year 2424. The Valenzetti equation is said to predict the same thing.
There are allegedly several entrances to the Kingdom of Agartha throughout the world. Among them are:
* California – home of many of our Losties
* Pyramid of Giza, Egypt. – heiroglyphs, statue etc.?
* North Pole - polar bears?
The song, Shambala is played in "Tricia Tanaka Is Dead. And briefly referenced in In "The Man Behind the Curtain".
In rereading Lost Horizon, I came up with other similarities, but this is enough for now. If you got this far, thanks for reading.