I started formulating this theory when we first saw that the statue had a specific relation to Egyptian mythology, and the season finale, "The Incident", solidified some of my thoughts.
I believe that the Island represents Jacob's attempt at creating the perfect civilization to have his belief in humankind justified.
Looking back on everything we have seen thus far, a link to almost every great civilization has been found on the Island. We have seen references to Egyptian (obviously) as well as Roman, Greek, and modern (Dharma) civilizations. I believe that the Island represents a starting point for each of these civilizations, all of which have brought periods of great enlightenment and progress for human kind.
Each of these civilizations have a mix of faith and reason, and in regards to faith each possess beliefs that are similar to what is being played out between Jacob and Dark Shirt on the Island. In Egyptian mythology the comparison has been laid out for us already with Jacob represented by Sobek, who is known as the creator and whose likeness is portrayed at the statue where Jacob resides, and Dark Shirt represented by Anubis, god of the underworld whose likeness is represented on the stone vent of the Monster. In Greek/Roman mythology Dark Shirt (who is we believe to be Smokey) is represented as Cerberus, watchdog of the underworld, while Jacob’s followers are required to know Latin (or the language of the Enlightened). Finally, in relation to modern Christian belief the two play as God and Satan, or beings of similar origin. Jacob showing himself to people as a man, influencing by suggesting but ultimately leaving the decisions up to the people, similar to the way Jesus i! nfluenced. Conversely Black Shirt using deceit and temptation to influence others, similar to Satan taking on the form of a snake in the Garden of Eden. This is not saying that the Island is “The Garden of Eden” or any such specific idea, but a starting point for each of these cultures to base their specific beliefs on.
In regards to the mix of Science vs. Faith, we have also seen this play out through the varying civilizations. While the Egyptian culture was extremely advanced scientifically they were even more so entrenched in their faith. To correlate this back to the island, possibly Jacob attempted to see if a civilization more steeped in faith would be the best. The Greeks and Romans had more of a balance, believing in their gods but also attributing much to reason and thought, similar to a 50/50 split. Finally, Dharma (who Jacob could have begun influencing back with Magnus Hanso on the Black Rock) aka modern civilization is greatly invested in Science.
Jacob replies to Dark Shirt’s comment that, “it always ends the same, with destruction and corruption” with, “it only ends once and anything before that is just progress.” With that I believe that Jacob is trying, through trial and error, to influence and find the perfect civilization and ultimately save mankind, using the Island as his testing ground before unleashing it to the world.
I believe that the Island represents Jacob's attempt at creating the perfect civilization to have his belief in humankind justified.
Looking back on everything we have seen thus far, a link to almost every great civilization has been found on the Island. We have seen references to Egyptian (obviously) as well as Roman, Greek, and modern (Dharma) civilizations. I believe that the Island represents a starting point for each of these civilizations, all of which have brought periods of great enlightenment and progress for human kind.
Each of these civilizations have a mix of faith and reason, and in regards to faith each possess beliefs that are similar to what is being played out between Jacob and Dark Shirt on the Island. In Egyptian mythology the comparison has been laid out for us already with Jacob represented by Sobek, who is known as the creator and whose likeness is portrayed at the statue where Jacob resides, and Dark Shirt represented by Anubis, god of the underworld whose likeness is represented on the stone vent of the Monster. In Greek/Roman mythology Dark Shirt (who is we believe to be Smokey) is represented as Cerberus, watchdog of the underworld, while Jacob’s followers are required to know Latin (or the language of the Enlightened). Finally, in relation to modern Christian belief the two play as God and Satan, or beings of similar origin. Jacob showing himself to people as a man, influencing by suggesting but ultimately leaving the decisions up to the people, similar to the way Jesus i! nfluenced. Conversely Black Shirt using deceit and temptation to influence others, similar to Satan taking on the form of a snake in the Garden of Eden. This is not saying that the Island is “The Garden of Eden” or any such specific idea, but a starting point for each of these cultures to base their specific beliefs on.
In regards to the mix of Science vs. Faith, we have also seen this play out through the varying civilizations. While the Egyptian culture was extremely advanced scientifically they were even more so entrenched in their faith. To correlate this back to the island, possibly Jacob attempted to see if a civilization more steeped in faith would be the best. The Greeks and Romans had more of a balance, believing in their gods but also attributing much to reason and thought, similar to a 50/50 split. Finally, Dharma (who Jacob could have begun influencing back with Magnus Hanso on the Black Rock) aka modern civilization is greatly invested in Science.
Jacob replies to Dark Shirt’s comment that, “it always ends the same, with destruction and corruption” with, “it only ends once and anything before that is just progress.” With that I believe that Jacob is trying, through trial and error, to influence and find the perfect civilization and ultimately save mankind, using the Island as his testing ground before unleashing it to the world.
