Symbolism
From Lostpedia
Symbolism is one of the many literary techniques employed on Lost. Items or pieces of dialogue can obviously echo a character's state of mind, and even prolonged glances on the show can suggest thought processes and motivations. Undoubtedly, there are many more examples, but the following are simply to show some particularly notable and deliberate ones (rather than generic examples like a pause in conversation for dramatic effect, signifying tension).
Note that symbolism is always subjective, and is naturally not the "right" interpretation. Nevertheless, clear symbolism should be seen as distinct from theories.
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Season 1
Kate bathing
In "Pilot, Part 2", Sun observes Kate stripping off and bathing herself in the water. Her prolonged glance seems to be symbolic of her jealousy, having previously been reprimanded by Jin for simply undoing the top button on her blouse.
It could also be symbolic of Kate washing away her criminal past and trying to become a new person on the Island, as echoed by the name of the next episode, "Tabula Rasa".
Golf course
The scene on the golf course in "Solitary" was arguably symbolic of Michael's poor parenting skills. When he heard about the tournament, Michael left Walt on his own at the beach. He also later asked his son if he wanted a try, but Walt felt guilty that others were waiting to have a turn. When Hurley then told Michael it was his turn, instead of then offering his try to Walt (which would be more expected), he accepted it himself leaving Walt to walk back to the beach alone again.
The music box
Also in "Solitary" was Rousseau's music box, an item that seemed to symbolise Danielle's isolation. The box was initially broken, but having human contact (with Sayid) allowed Rousseau and the box to be repaired. This comparison is supported by the fact that the box stops playing immediately after Sayid asks if he can go (i.e. ending the human contact).
The Halliburton case
In "Whatever the Case May Be", Kate's obsession with getting the Halliburton case seemed to reflect her closed personality. Living with the secret of being a fugitive, Kate was initially reluctant to share any truths about herself, hence couldn't get to the case and open it. Later, when she did get inside, she revealed one of her biggest secrets to Jack, that she had killed the man she loved. This is compounded by Jack's numerous requests during the episode for Kate to tell him the truth.
Another interesting idea here is that without a key it seems nearly impossible to get into the Halliburton case. Sawyer does everything he can, dropping it, hitting it, banging it repeatedly against rocks but he can't get inside. This can be seen as a metaphor for Kate's spiritual and mental state, she's has such a hard shell she won't let anyone in. Finally, after promising Jack they will open it together, and failing at her "the key isn't there" trick she confesses to Jack and their relationship is pained, and different. Her defense failed, she went to help, went out of her shell, and with opening the case she opened herself up, if only a little bit.
Season 2
Bible
In "The Other 48 Days", Eko found a Bible inside the Arrow station. Signifying his personal faith, Eko found an answer inside the Holy Book, a film clipping for part of the Swan Orientation film.
Charlie's piano
The piano from "Fire + Water" can be seen as a dramatic device to reflect Charlie's family. It was bought so that Charlie could become rich and thereby improve his family's standard of living. This is why the piano houses Aaron in a dream, as Charlie believes Aaron needs saving, and so this belief manifests itself inside an object that, to Charlie, symobolizes the concept of saving.
Liam leaving a smoking cigarette on top of the piano with no regard may also symbolize Liam's attitude of not valuing Charlie in his idea of "family". This is reinforced by him selling the piano to help his wife, child (what he sees as his family) and himself. Abandoning Charlie at the same time, the piano's departure demonstrates Charlie's loss of family.
Season 3
The glass ballerina
The breaking of the glass ballerina in "The Glass Ballerina" may represent Sun's willingness to harm others in favor of protecting herself at all costs. It could also signify Sun's broken youth or the irrevocable loss of purity and innocence, qualities symbolized by a ballerina.
Matryoshka doll
The doll that housed the diamonds in "Exposé" seemed to signify the multiple depths of the episode, where there were both on and off-Island flashbacks which together explained how Nikki and Paulo met their end in a detective-genre inspired episode.
Ben's dolls
In "The Man Behind the Curtain", Ben receives two wooden carved dolls, one of a boy and one of a girl smiling. The items could signify the nuclear family and caring parental figures that in life Ben lacked. Ben keeps the female doll, which could represent the complete lack of a maternal figure, as his mother died at his birth.
Juliet's knots
Along with the figure-8 knot, Juliet ties a double knot at the very end of "One of Us". The double knot is possibly symbolic of her (temporary) double-crossing of the survivors, since the knot will not necessarily hold.
See also
- Rain - often seen in emotionally tense scenes
- Black and white - used to show contrast
