Musings On John Locke by DaKlenke

For those of you have read my many previous theories, I apologize for my absence and for leaving that string of theories left unfinished. I do intend to continue working on that series, but unfortunately personal circumstances have come up that have prevented me from continuing at the pace that I would prefer. This specific theory is not necessarily the next installment in the aforementioned theories but since some of my thoughts on the grander points of Lost do carry over, I still suggest that you read my previous body of work. I won't list them all here, as there are seven in total (if memory serves) but just scrolling through the lists of theories should provide you with what you need.

This theory specifically is about John Locke and what I believe his character's redemptive arc may entail. As with many of the other characters on Lost, I believe that we have been exposed to John Locke's fundamental flaw as the show has progressed, and like many before him, I imagine we will see some sort of redemption in regards to this flaw.

As I have said in my previous theories, I had originally believed that John Locke is a man of faith whose devout dedication is blind and thus leads to his ability to be manipulated. I would like to amend that assumption and posit a new idea; John Locke is not a man of faith so much as he is a man of denial. I don't mean to say he is not a believer in Purpose, because he most obviously is, but I think he has been in denial of his purpose since the beginning.

I don't specifically recall the name of the episode, (although I know that is was Season 1 directly before the episode "Hearts and Minds"), but in this episode Charlie and Rose have a conversation that I would like to point out. Charlie comes to Rose in distress over his guilt over not being able to save Claire from being taken by Ethan. He asks her to help him, to which she responds that she cannot. She then proceeds to pray. Shortly before this, Charlie apologizes to her over the loss of her husband. Rose tells Charlie that she is sure that Bernard is not dead, and when Charlie appears to be skeptical, she says " There is a fine line between denial and faith Charlie. It's much nicer on my side." This is a very valid point and in my opinion is quite relevant to categorizing John Locke as a character. Rose is most definitely a character of faith, and although Locke is similar in ideology, he is distinctly in denial of his purpose.

Furthermore, I would like to bring to your attention Locke's recurring phrase. "Don't tell me what I can't do." John Locke is in denial about his capabilities and I think his wheel chair is the physical manifestation of what compels Locke to be in denial. He is so afraid of being confined to that chair, confined to the stereotypes that come with it.

If you consider that John Locke was paralyzed after Anthony Cooper pushed him out of the window, and that Jacob arguably brought him back to life by touching him after he fell, then let me ask you this. If Jacob could heal Locke, bring him back to life even, then why did he not also cure him of his paralysis? If Jacob's touch represents the implementation of Purpose, which I believe it does, then Jacob brought Locke back to life knowing full well that he was paralyzed. Jacob wanted Locke in that wheelchair.

If you look at the episode Walkabout, the one in which we first learn that Locke was paralyzed, we see that Locke is so angry about being denied passage onto the bus. He believes it was his destiny to go on that walkabout and he is absolutely livid about not being allowed. After the crash of 815, when Locke regains his ability to walk, he assumes that it was his purpose to be brought to this Island. He is in denial of his true purpose, which is to be confined to that wheelchair.

Next, I would like to point out the scene that may shed some light on this claim. Richard came to Locke as a boy and gave him a test in which he told John to pick the item that belonged to him. John surveys the various items, and when he lingers on the Book of Laws, Richard smiles. Then the boy moves on and ends up choosing the knife instead. Richard leaves in a fury. Locke was even then denying his purpose, which apparently involved the Book of Laws (or whatever the book was a symbol of).

Now lets look at Richard's next attempt to recruit Locke, via Mittelos and John's high school teacher. The science teacher tries to appeal to Locke's intellectual side by encouraging him to go to science camp. Locke again rejects this opportunity to embrace his purpose, instead saying that he wants to play sports. He is in denial of who he is because he wants to be popular, effective, intimidating, what have you.

On Island, Locke was adamant about being the hunter, embracing the way of the knife. This was most definitely not his purpose, as is evident by Richard's test. Now as to what entity gave Locke back his ability to walk, I don't know. I would assume that since healing is most often attributed to Jacob that it was him, so it's possible that the ability to walk was John Locke's test just the same as the heroine in the virgin mary statues was Charlie's. However, given the MIB's repetitive manipulation of Locke, its possible that the return of his ability to walk was a means to manipulate Locke's blind faith. Either way, the episode in which Boone is mortally wounded (Locke's paralysis comes and goes) needs further review.

But for now, that is my case on denial being Locke's fundamental flaw and represents his redemptive arc. Season 6 I imagine we will see Locke make a sacrifice that puts him back in that wheelchair, but thats pure conjecture. I hope you all have enjoyed and please, comment and criticize as you see fit but keep your remarks constructive. Finally, if this has been said before, I apologize. Credit goes to you first.