UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations 1-1-2008 "Lost" as an example of the orphic mysteries: A thematic analysis Rachael Wax University of Nevada, Las Vegas Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/rtds Repository Citation Wax, Rachael, ""Lost" as an example of the orphic mysteries: A thematic analysis" (2008). UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations. 2435. http://dx.doi.org/10.25669/n2lv-18ci This Thesis is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by Digital Scholarship@UNLV with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Thesis in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This Thesis has been accepted for inclusion in UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Scholarship@UNLV. For more information, please contact [email protected]. LOST AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE ORPHIC MYSTERIES: A THEMATIC ANALYSIS by Rachael Wax Bachelor of Arts University of Nevada, Las Vegas May 2006 A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Master of Arts Degree in Journalism and Media Studies Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies Greenspun College of Urban Affairs Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas December 2008 UMI Number: 1463538 INFORMATION TO USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleed-through, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI UMI Microform 1463538 Copyright 2009 by ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest LLC 789 E. Eisenhower Parkway PC Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Thesis Approval IJNTV The Graduate College University of Nevada, Las Vegas November 7 08 _, 20. The Thesis prepared by Rachael Wax Entitled Lost as an Example of the Orphic Mysteries: A Thematic Analysis is approved in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies t // Examination Committee Chair Dean of the Graduate College ExaminatjéÈ Committee Memher Examination Conénmee Member Ôraduate College Faculty Representative 11 ABSTRACT Lost as an Example of the Orphie Mysteries: A Thematic Analysis by Rachael Wax Dr. Anthony Ferri, Examination Committee Chair Associate Professor of Journalism University of Nevada, Las Vegas Lost is a popular television show currently aired on the ABC network. The Orphic mysteries are an intricate component to the religion of Greek Mythology. This thematic analysis will work to investigate if Lost can be interpreted as a modem application of the Orphic mysteries. It will develop a theoretical perspective ofLost based upon the Orphic mysteries by reviewing literature that will uncover possible contemporary adaptations or metaphorical connections between each artifact. In-depth research will be performed on the units of analysis; Losf^ individual characters, their relationships to one another, and their similarity to the characters of the Orphic mysteries. The assumed plot theme that (im)moral decisions during one’s existence on Earth will result in their being fated to either Heaven or a reincarnation to another life on earth, numerology, and the dualities which exist between good and evil and darkness and light within each artifact will be addressed. Ill TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT............................................................................................................................iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.................................. v CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................. 1 Background of Lost.............................................................................................................1 Background of the Orphic Mysteries ................................................................................ 3 Significance of Study ......................................................................................................... 7 Purpose of the Study .......................................................................................................... 8 CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF LITERATURE...........................................................................9 Research Questions........................................... 14 CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY..........................................................................................16 CHAPTER 4 RESULTS OF THE THEMATIC ANALYSIS........................................... 20 Dualities ............................................................................................................................ 20 Numerology......................................................................................................................32 Reincarnation and Life after Death................................................................................. 35 Redemption.............................................................................................. 40 Characters......................................................................................................................... 48 CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION ........................ 54 APPENDICES........................................................................................................................ 58 Appendix A: Lost Characters...........................................................................................58 Appendix B: The Orphic Mysteries Characters ............................................................. 60 Appendix C: Titles of Lost Episodes .................................................................. 63 BIBLIOGRAPHY...................................................................................................................67 VITA................................................................................................ 72 IV ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank to my entire thesis committee: Dr. Anthony Ferri, Dr. Stephen Bates, Dr. Gary Larson, and Dr. J. Michael Stitt. I would especially like to thank Dr. Anthony Ferri, my thesis advisor, for the amazing guidance and assistance during my graduate career. I am extremely grateful for all of your help, support, and encouragement. I would also like to thank the faculty of the Greenspun School of Journalism for providing such a wonderful education, especially Dr. Julian Kilker, Dr. Daniel Stout, and Dr. Susanna Homig-Priest for an extraordinary experience as your research assistants. Additionally, I have great respect for my fellow classmates Kayla Gilmore, Erika Polake, Jennifer Shymansky, and Danielle Thorsen, who continuously offered support and fun during my Graduate career. I would also like to thank my family and close friends for all of their love and guidance. CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Background of Lost Most episodes of the ABC network’s critically acclaimed television drama Lost begin with the camera focusing on one individual character’s eye. It has long been an old adage that the eyes are the gateway to the soul, masking what lies within the recesses of one’s mind - their past, present, and future. When combined, these determine the meaning behind and the ultimate fate of one’s existence. Lost, a television show currently nearing its fifth season, is a primetime drama on the air since 2004. A series intended to be finalized within six seasons, it is a fictional story with a supernatural premise. Oceanic Flight 815 was a commercial airliner flying from Sydney, Australia, to Los Angeles, California. The plane crashes on an uninhabited, uncharted island thought to be located somewhere in the South Pacific. However, as the series progresses, audiences discover that the concept of a deserted island is furthest from the truth. According to Dunn (2006), Lost has changed the narrative of the disaster epic. This is no ordinary plane crash, there is no rescue, and they have been transported to an entirely different place. Nor is there any planned end point to the story or the experience. There is no rescue, no reckoning, and there appears to be no understanding because the enlightenment project has run aground. Each revelation instead reveals more hidden layers of questions and weirdness. The Tost’ of the title is not just a reference to their physical plight, it also eludes [sic] to their being cast adrift epistemologically. It is not just lost innocence but also lost comprehension, (p. 318) Without rules, regulations, or ethical codes of conduct, the survivors are left to govern themselves and develop a new society. The chance of their physical rescue is doubtful, which leaves the islanders to ponder their spiritual rescue. This causes the characters to reflect upon their lives and the (im)morality behind past decisions that could have resulted in their ending up on the island. Despite there being approximately 43 survivors, the