Maybe I have too many memories of Sister Maria Teresa and Sister Teresa Maria breaking out the ruler, but when I watch "Lost" I think about purgatory.So here's my theory: "Lost" is an allegory of Dante's "Il Purgatorio."
"Lost" is well-known for being loaded with hidden references to classic literature, philosophy, science, and pop culture, but is also full of both explicit and implicit references to a boatload of spiritual traditions.
The one that stands out most the Roman Catholic Church. The crash of Oceanic Flight 815 and the strange 'neither here nor there' aspect of the island make me think it's all about purgatory.
Purgatory is part of Catholic mythology and is a place where the dead go, after death, when they are not yet "ready" for Heaven but are not evil enough for Hell. Here, they are to be tested and perfected (often said to be through suffering).
In the words of one Catholic "Purgatory is the bootcamp of heaven... to bring you up the level of spiritual excellence needed ..." (2). Dante's poem "the Divine Comedy" includes a trip through his vision of Purgatory, a mountain with terraces that he must climb through starting in the Underworld, in order to reach Paradise (Heaven) (4).
Some parallels found in "Lost" include:
1) Judgment - characters, including Ben and Eko, are "judged" by the smoke monster. In both cases they have visions of parts of their lives, in Ben's case showing his moments of kindness and of evil, and in Eko's case in the form of his brother who appears and speaks to him. Ben is spared, but Eko is killed by the monster after he refuses to "confess" to his sins.
2) Locke's descent into the Underworld (when he turns the wheel) is similar to that in Dante's "Inferno". The appearance of Christian at this point has been compared to Virgil, the guide in Dante's story.
3) In Dante's world, Purgatory was also an island.
4) Many characters face tests and challenges on the island in "Lost" - for example Jack's struggle to find faith and peace, Sawyer's to find and value friendships, Charlie's to become free of drugs...
5) "Jacob's List" - although at the end of Season 5 we still don't know its meaning, it carries tones of the idea of "chosen ones".
6) Inability to leave and the island's invisibility to the outside world.
These interesting parallels show how "Lost" incorporates aspects of religious mythology, hidden away skillfully in the show for those who look for them.
I know there's more to "Lost" than purgatory, but to me it's a dead-on fit.
References:
http://lostpedia.wikia.com/wiki/Religion
http://happycatholic.blogspot.com/2005/08/purgatory-101.html
http://danteworlds.laits.utexas.edu/purgatory/index.html
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