Just a little FYI, these 4 parts were the foundation for the post Lost SOLVED, so if you've read that, there's no reason to read through these...it's pretty much just evidence I had gathered.
A) What We Know of Jacob from Visiting Kate
a) Jacob knew Kate would be stealing a lunchbox at this very moment. She since didn’t get caught, there is no record of this event. There is no amount of research or intelligence gathering that could provide Jacob with this information.
b) Jacob saves Kate from getting in trouble. Some have argued that Jacob is reinforcing to Kate that she can steal without consequences. Based on the following I’d argue that’s not the case.
c) Jacob asks Kate ‘you’re not going to steal anymore, are you?’. He doesn’t give her an order, he’s trying to make it Kate’s choice to be good. He is warm and sympathetic towards her.
d) Jacob touches Kate. I’m not sure this is important but a lot of people are suggesting it is, so I’ve included it.
B) What We Know of Jacob from Visiting Sawyer
a) Sawyer is sitting on the steps of his parent’s funeral, alone. Jacob asks Sawyer if he needs a pen, ‘need a pen son?’.
b) Jacob tells Sawyer that he’s ‘very sorry about your mother and father, james’. He knows James’ name. I think by now it’s pretty obvious that Jacob knows when and where things are happening..he’s not randomly arriving at these key moments in people’s lives, he’s already aware of them. Sawyer is looking down, sad and alone, and Jacob comforts him.
c) Some would argue that Jacob, by giving Sawyer the pen to write his letter of sworn vengeance, is helping Sawyer to create his biggest sin. However, there is more to this. After Jacob walks away, Sawyer’s Uncle Doug comes along and reads Sawyer’s letter. Uncle Doug says ‘Listen to me, Jimmy. I know you're angry at the man that did this to your momma and daddy. And hell, you got every right to be. But you gotta move on, boy. They're gone, and there ain't nothing you can do to change that. What's done is done.’ Here we have the opposite of writing the letter being framed as fate. What’s done is done, you can’t change anything, change is not possible. This is the opposite of Jacob’s philosophy, and considering that the drive to avenge his parents eventually drives Sawyer to the Island, it’s no surprise that Jacob would give him the pen.
d) Jacob does not touch Sawyer, but he does give him a pen. Some have suggested this is the equivalent of Jacob’s touch or Jacob’s blessing. Again not sure if this is important.
C) What We Know of Jacob from Visiting Sayid
a) Jacob asks Sayid to help him with directions. He doesn’t pull Sayid out of the way of the car. A lot of people are saying Jacob killed Nadia, when in actuality, he saved Sayid and let Nadia die. If you were to ask him about Nadia, I believe Jacob would reply ‘What about her?’. She is not his concern, she lives her life and dies according to the choices she and others make. Also, remember that she was murdered, this was no accident.
b) Immediately when Sayid realizes that Nadia has been hit by a car, Jacob places his hand on Sayid’s shoulder. I mention this because of the obviousness of the comforting gesture. Of course, this also means Jacob touched Sayid, for all of you Jacob-Touch-subscribers.
D) What We Know of Jacob from Visiting Ilana
a) Jacob asks Ilana for help, he does not order her, it is her choice :JACOB: I'm here because I need your help. Can you do that? Will you help me, Ilana? ILANA: Yes. Again, personal choice. Ilana is clearly dedicated to Jacob, yet he doesn’t order or command her to help him. To me this is clear evidence that Ben was NEVER following Jacob’s orders, because Jacob doesn’t give orders.
E) What We Know of Jacob from Visiting John Locke
a) Jacob sits on a bench reading ‘Everything That Rises Must Converge’, a collection of short stories. In the story after which the work is titled, human weaknesses are exposed and important moral questions are explored through everyday situations. Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Anyways, THAT book is actually named after a phrase uttered by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin patented the concept of the ‘Omega Point’, which describes a maximum level of complexity and consciousness towards which the universe appears to be evolving. It shouldn’t come as any surprise that Jacob is holding a book about human weakness and moral decisions in everyday situations, which is named after a phrase patented by a man who believes that all of creation is evolving towards an Omega Point. This is ‘the end’ that only happens once, according to Jacob. Here’s more food for thought from Wikipedia that supports this claim thematically: ‘For Teilhard, the universe can only move in the direction of more complexity and consciousness if it is being drawn by a supreme point of complexity and consciousness. Thus Teilhard postulates the Omega Point as the supreme point of complexity and consciousness, which is not only as the term of the evolutionary process, but is also the actual cause for the universe to grow in complexity and consciousness. In other words, the Omega Point exists as supremely complex and conscious, independent of the evolving universe. I.e., the Omega Point is transcendent. In interpreting the universe this way, Teilhard kept the Omega Point within the orthodox views of the Christian God, who is transcendent (independent) of his creation’. And it doesn’t end there. According to Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, this Omega Point that the universe is heading towards has 5 characteristics. They are that (1)The Omega Point already exists and the universe is being drawn to it(invited by Jacob), (2) that the Omega Point is an intellectual being and not an abstract idea(Jacob) (3)transcendent, that is, the Omega Point cannot be the result of this evolution, because the Omega Point is responsible for this evolution(Jacob is the cause, not the result) (4) the Omega Point is autonomous, that is, free of time and space(Jacob does not age and he borders on omniscient), and (5) irreversible or attainable, meaning progressing without regression(‘everything else is just progress’). Could this be more obviously a description of Jacob and what lies in store????? Also, from Wikipedia yet again, In 1971, John David Garcia expanded on Teilhard's Omega Point idea. In particular, he stressed that even more than the increase of intelligence, the constant increase of ethics is essential for humankind to reach the Omega Point. Sounds like the progress that Jacob & Nemesis are debating is happening on the Island.
b) Again, Jacob knew that John Locke was going to fall, he doesn’t panic and the odds that he just happened to be there are slim to none. The more Jacob is analyzed, the more omniscient he becomes.
c) After hitting the pavement Locke is unconscious. Jacob touches Locke’s shoulder and Locke appears to come back to life. We can’t say for sure, but it was rather miraculous that Locke survived the eight-story drop. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Jacob saved Locke’s life.
d) Jacob comforts Locke and is sympathetic for him: ‘Don't worry, everything's gonna be alright. I'm sorry this happened to you.’ At this point it is beyond clear to me that Jacob is the Light side of this conflict between Light & Dark and that he’s specifically visiting these particular people because he’s aware of their roles in future events.
e)Again just for the record, Jacob touches Locke.
F) What We Know of Jacob from Visiting Sun & Jin
a) Okay now we have some firm evidence that perhaps Jacob is indeed blessing each person he visits with. ‘I'd like to offer you my blessing. Your love is a very special thing. Never take it for granted’(in Korean) -Jacob. Jacob is quite literally giving them his blessing, and sure it could just be a wedding blessing, but when viewed in the context of the other scenes that seems rather unlikely.
b) Jacob goes out of his way to touch both Sun & Jin. I’m starting to come around on the touching/blessing theory.
c) Jacob advises Sun & Jin to never take their love for granted..but it is their choice and they will only appreciate it when they choose to. He’s just giving them a little push.
G) What We Know of Jacob from Visiting Jack
a) Jack pays for an Apollo Bar but it gets stuck in the vending machine, he abandons it to complain about to his father about Christian scolding him during an operation.. Jacob comes up to him afterwards and offers him 1 of 2 Apollo Bars, telling Jack ‘I guess it just needed a little push’. Here he have Jacob doing what Jacob does, finding people during key moments of their life and giving them a ‘little push’, influencing them slightly, offering them advice or a choice that could make their life better, comforting them and never steering them wrong. The ‘little push’ that Jacob gives, to me, embodies his technique and approach. He is patient, he weaves a tapestry over many years with many threads...but, like Charlie throwing his drugs into the fire in Season One, it has to be their choice, he can’t force them or order them to do his bidding.
H) What We Know of Jacob from Visiting Hurley
a) Jacob offers to share the cab with Hurley. ‘Actually, I'm only going a few blocks if you wanna share’-Jacob.
b) According to Jacob, Jacob isn’t dead. I for one trust the source, thus I’d say Jacob is not a ghost, and we still can’t say why he doesn’t age.
c) Jacob asks Hurley why he won’t come back to the Island, he needs him to return, Hurley is part of Jacob’s plan.
d) Jacob tells Hurley that perhaps his lifelong curse is actually a blessing. This fits with Jacob offering his blessing to Sun & Jin, touching the Losties, etc. What if they’re all blessed? What if the very things that they think are their greatest weakness will eventually turn out to be their greatest strength? Hurley’s ability to converse with the dead will end up being pivotal in the ‘only ends once’ ending that Jacob is giving ‘little pushes’ towards.
e) Jacob tells Hurley that he’s not crazy. Beyond merely being accurate, Jacob is comforting Hurley, much like he comforted or advised the other characters he visited.
f) ‘Ajira Airways Flight 316 out of LAX. Leaves in 24 hours. All you have to do is get on that plane. It's your choice’- Jacob, to Hurley. Yet AGAIN(just in case you had any doubts), Jacob wants you to choose the path that leads towards the ‘end once’ scenario. It has to be a result of people wanting it to happen. As his tapestry reads, ‘may the Gods grant your heart’s desire’.
g) Jacob leaves a guitar with Hurley stating ‘that’s not my guitar’. Maybe he meant ‘it’s not my guitar, it’s my ___’. Or maybe it actually is a guitar which isn’t his. Either way, that’s one mystery I can’t yet explain.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Part 3: Jacob & His Nemesis In The Statue’s Foot
Just a little FYI, these 4 parts were the foundation for the post Lost SOLVED, so if you've read that, there's no reason to read through these...it's pretty much just evidence I had gathered.
A) What We Know of Jacob from Inside The Statue
a) Jacob took a ‘very long time’ to sew the tapestry...but says ‘I guess that’s the point’. Jacob is referring to both the culmination of his plan which brings about the impending ‘end’ that only comes once...if it were to happen often and swiftly, it wouldn’t be very meaningful.
b) Jacob immediately knows that Locke is not Locke, but rather Nemesis imitating Locke. Jacob is also aware that Nemesis(Fake Locke) has come to kill him and has thus found the loophole. This statement, combined with Jacob’s statement on the beach ‘when you do find the loophole, I’ll be right here’, is solid evidence that Jacob always knew that Nemesis(Fake Locke) would use Locke & Ben to kill him, and yet didn’t try to stop it.
c) Jacob offers Ben a choice, he doesn’t try to talk Ben out of doing anything. It’s more important to Jacob that Ben chooses, than whether or not Ben kills him. Principle comes before survival.
d) Ben says ‘...I never questioned anything. I did as I was told’, then asks Jacob ‘What About me?’. Jacob replies ‘What about you?’. Either Jacob doesn’t care about Ben(a man who has been supposedly following his orders without question, to the extent that he sacrificed his daughter and killed his father), or Jacob never gave the orders. Think about this: Would Jacob ever give orders? Here Jacob has a chance to order Ben to drop the knife, and he instead gives him the freedom to choose. Conclusion: Orders run contrary to Jacob’s methods. They undermine his principles.
e) Jacob hasn’t aged since at least The Black Rock’s arrival.
f) Jacob can be stabbed.
B) What We Know of Nemesis(Fake Locke) from Inside The Statue
a) ‘Do what I asked you to, Ben’-Nemesis(Fake Locke). Nemesis orders Ben to kill Jacob.
C) Summary of Jacob vs. Nemesis(Fake Locke) In The Statue
Jacob knew it was coming, knew Fake Locke was Nemesis, and gives Ben a personal choice. Nemesis(Fake Locke) orders Ben to kill Jacob. Again we have choice verses command, freedom vs. fate.
A) What We Know of Jacob from Inside The Statue
a) Jacob took a ‘very long time’ to sew the tapestry...but says ‘I guess that’s the point’. Jacob is referring to both the culmination of his plan which brings about the impending ‘end’ that only comes once...if it were to happen often and swiftly, it wouldn’t be very meaningful.
b) Jacob immediately knows that Locke is not Locke, but rather Nemesis imitating Locke. Jacob is also aware that Nemesis(Fake Locke) has come to kill him and has thus found the loophole. This statement, combined with Jacob’s statement on the beach ‘when you do find the loophole, I’ll be right here’, is solid evidence that Jacob always knew that Nemesis(Fake Locke) would use Locke & Ben to kill him, and yet didn’t try to stop it.
c) Jacob offers Ben a choice, he doesn’t try to talk Ben out of doing anything. It’s more important to Jacob that Ben chooses, than whether or not Ben kills him. Principle comes before survival.
d) Ben says ‘...I never questioned anything. I did as I was told’, then asks Jacob ‘What About me?’. Jacob replies ‘What about you?’. Either Jacob doesn’t care about Ben(a man who has been supposedly following his orders without question, to the extent that he sacrificed his daughter and killed his father), or Jacob never gave the orders. Think about this: Would Jacob ever give orders? Here Jacob has a chance to order Ben to drop the knife, and he instead gives him the freedom to choose. Conclusion: Orders run contrary to Jacob’s methods. They undermine his principles.
e) Jacob hasn’t aged since at least The Black Rock’s arrival.
f) Jacob can be stabbed.
B) What We Know of Nemesis(Fake Locke) from Inside The Statue
a) ‘Do what I asked you to, Ben’-Nemesis(Fake Locke). Nemesis orders Ben to kill Jacob.
C) Summary of Jacob vs. Nemesis(Fake Locke) In The Statue
Jacob knew it was coming, knew Fake Locke was Nemesis, and gives Ben a personal choice. Nemesis(Fake Locke) orders Ben to kill Jacob. Again we have choice verses command, freedom vs. fate.
Part 0: Title & Thesis Statement
Jacob & The Losties vs. Team Nemesis(aka The Smoke Monster, aka Cerberus aka The Three Grandmasters): A Critical Evaluation of Lost Based On Timeless Concepts of Good & Evil & A Detailed Analysis of Dialog & Symbolism
Just a little FYI, these 4 parts were the foundation for the post Lost SOLVED, so if you've read that, there's no reason to read through these...it's pretty much just evidence I had gathered.
My basic premise is that we can determine which persons and what events were influenced by the Light side (Jacob) or the Dark side(Team Nemesis), based on the two opposing methods and perspectives that Jacob & his Nemesis demonstrate during the opening moments of The Incident. I also believe that we can determine some of what lies in store for Lost, in particular, the very final moment of the show.
There are many theories of mine that I've incorporated into this macro-analysis, and I'll do my best to substantiate all of my claims as they come up, though I can't promise I'll remember every iota of evidence that has led me to these conclusions over the years. I invite criticism and questions, for they often help me remember additional pieces of evidence.
I'd also like to stress that Jacob & Team Nemesis are very likely just the PERSONIFICATIONS of Good & Evil, God & The Devil, Horus & Set, etc. All I'm suggesting is that whether they are men, deities, aliens, ghosts, nanobots, or computer programs...they are based on classic representations of Good & Evil. I'm not certain the writers will LITERALLY call them deities or gods, nor do I think it's important they do so...Lost is often best when people reach their own conclusions. That said, I do believe that Jacob has god-like powers...there may prove to be rational explanations(at least by Lost standards) for how he can heal people, live forever, and know everything, but for the time being I'm not concerned with HOW he happens to have these powers, but merely substantiating that he does.
And for the record, I'm an Atheist...so no agenda here other than figuring out this damn show.
Just a little FYI, these 4 parts were the foundation for the post Lost SOLVED, so if you've read that, there's no reason to read through these...it's pretty much just evidence I had gathered.
My basic premise is that we can determine which persons and what events were influenced by the Light side (Jacob) or the Dark side(Team Nemesis), based on the two opposing methods and perspectives that Jacob & his Nemesis demonstrate during the opening moments of The Incident. I also believe that we can determine some of what lies in store for Lost, in particular, the very final moment of the show.
There are many theories of mine that I've incorporated into this macro-analysis, and I'll do my best to substantiate all of my claims as they come up, though I can't promise I'll remember every iota of evidence that has led me to these conclusions over the years. I invite criticism and questions, for they often help me remember additional pieces of evidence.
I'd also like to stress that Jacob & Team Nemesis are very likely just the PERSONIFICATIONS of Good & Evil, God & The Devil, Horus & Set, etc. All I'm suggesting is that whether they are men, deities, aliens, ghosts, nanobots, or computer programs...they are based on classic representations of Good & Evil. I'm not certain the writers will LITERALLY call them deities or gods, nor do I think it's important they do so...Lost is often best when people reach their own conclusions. That said, I do believe that Jacob has god-like powers...there may prove to be rational explanations(at least by Lost standards) for how he can heal people, live forever, and know everything, but for the time being I'm not concerned with HOW he happens to have these powers, but merely substantiating that he does.
And for the record, I'm an Atheist...so no agenda here other than figuring out this damn show.
Part 1: Jacob & His Tapestry
Just a little FYI, these 4 parts were the foundation for the post Lost SOLVED, so if you've read that, there's no reason to read through these...it's pretty much just evidence I had gathered.
A)While using the loom to weave his tapestry, Jacob is wearing both white and black, because God created both Good & Evil and God is everything, thus if Evil exists, Evil is part of God. A bit of a contradiction but this model is universal(enough) in many religions and cultures, in particular the sources that the writers of Lost have borrowed heavily from in the past.
B) ‘Jacob's tapestry depicts a pair of wings outstretched from an encircled Eye of Horus, and what appear to be seventeen long arms emanating like rays out from the eye. The hands at the ends of the arms grope for nine human figures who appear to be at the mercy of the hands, while on either side a king sits in a throne and observes.’- Lostpedia.
‘The far wall is decorated with a faded painting of the winged Egyptian goddess Isis.’ - Transcript of The Incident Pt. 1.
‘Horus was told by his mother, Isis, to protect the people of Egypt from Set, the god of the desert, storms and chaos’ - Wikipedia.
Considering these facts one can reasonably conclude that Horus is at the very least one of several personifications of Good that Jacob is based on. I doubt Jacob would be weaving a tapestry involving Horus if he was out to destroy him.
C)Across the top of the tapestry it reads ‘may the gods grant thee all that thy heart desires’, from Homer’s Odyssey. This line suggests that Jacob is in favor of personal freedom and personal choice. He does not say ‘follow every command that I give you’. Jacob wants you to choose, he hopes you choose Good, but the most important thing is that it’s what ‘your heart desires’.
D)The tapestry also reads "Only the dead have seen the end of war" -Plato. This quote is often used to explain that war is perpetual, that war is unavoidable and everlasting, until death. ‘It only ends once’ refers to this death, the death of everything. A common theme throughout mankind’s representation of the battle between Good vs. Evil is that when Good triumphs over Evil, a new world is born, thus, the world we know comes to an end. In short, Evil has been conquered, but we all die. Jacob & The Losties conquer Team Nemesis, but we die, a new world is born, the cycle begins anew. ‘Only the dead have seen the end of war’ because at the end of this war, no one will be left alive.
E) Perhaps most importantly, this scene demonstrates Jacob's incredible patience and his ability to weave together many threads over time. That is precisely what he is doing by giving 'little pushes'(as he did the Apollo Bar he handed to Jack) to people throughout their lives. Keep in mind the word 'little', as it's important to distinguish his methods from outright interference and active involvement in their daily lives.
A)While using the loom to weave his tapestry, Jacob is wearing both white and black, because God created both Good & Evil and God is everything, thus if Evil exists, Evil is part of God. A bit of a contradiction but this model is universal(enough) in many religions and cultures, in particular the sources that the writers of Lost have borrowed heavily from in the past.
B) ‘Jacob's tapestry depicts a pair of wings outstretched from an encircled Eye of Horus, and what appear to be seventeen long arms emanating like rays out from the eye. The hands at the ends of the arms grope for nine human figures who appear to be at the mercy of the hands, while on either side a king sits in a throne and observes.’- Lostpedia.
‘The far wall is decorated with a faded painting of the winged Egyptian goddess Isis.’ - Transcript of The Incident Pt. 1.
‘Horus was told by his mother, Isis, to protect the people of Egypt from Set, the god of the desert, storms and chaos’ - Wikipedia.
Considering these facts one can reasonably conclude that Horus is at the very least one of several personifications of Good that Jacob is based on. I doubt Jacob would be weaving a tapestry involving Horus if he was out to destroy him.
C)Across the top of the tapestry it reads ‘may the gods grant thee all that thy heart desires’, from Homer’s Odyssey. This line suggests that Jacob is in favor of personal freedom and personal choice. He does not say ‘follow every command that I give you’. Jacob wants you to choose, he hopes you choose Good, but the most important thing is that it’s what ‘your heart desires’.
D)The tapestry also reads "Only the dead have seen the end of war" -Plato. This quote is often used to explain that war is perpetual, that war is unavoidable and everlasting, until death. ‘It only ends once’ refers to this death, the death of everything. A common theme throughout mankind’s representation of the battle between Good vs. Evil is that when Good triumphs over Evil, a new world is born, thus, the world we know comes to an end. In short, Evil has been conquered, but we all die. Jacob & The Losties conquer Team Nemesis, but we die, a new world is born, the cycle begins anew. ‘Only the dead have seen the end of war’ because at the end of this war, no one will be left alive.
E) Perhaps most importantly, this scene demonstrates Jacob's incredible patience and his ability to weave together many threads over time. That is precisely what he is doing by giving 'little pushes'(as he did the Apollo Bar he handed to Jack) to people throughout their lives. Keep in mind the word 'little', as it's important to distinguish his methods from outright interference and active involvement in their daily lives.
Part 2: Jacob & His Nemesis On The Beach
Just a little FYI, these 4 parts were the foundation for the post Lost SOLVED, so if you've read that, there's no reason to read through these...it's pretty much just evidence I had gathered.
A) What We Know of Jacob From The Beach:
a)Jacob allows the fish to enter the trap on it’s own, he does not actively hunt the fish, the fish is brought into the wading pool by the rising tide and chooses to enter the trap on it’s own.
b) Jacob offers to share his only fish with Nemesis.
c) Jacob invites people to the Island, repeatedly.
d) Jacob does not believe that people who visit the Island will always fight, destroy, and corrupt. He believes this cycle will come to an end, and that it ‘only ends once’. Everything else is just progress...which implies that each time someone visits, Jacob believes ‘the end’ is getting nearer. It is not stagnant and hopeless, this is a very optimistic view of man. He believes in growth, evolution, change, and progress.
e) Jacob has an idea how bad Nemesis wants to kill him. Perhaps because he wants Nemesis to die as well.
f) In reference to Nemesis finding a loophole and thus a way to kill him, Jacob says ‘well when you do, I’ll be right here’. Jacob knows where he’ll be when Nemesis finds the loophole. How does Jacob know that Nemesis won’t find the loophole while he’s visiting Jack, Kate, Hurley, etc? This demonstrates that Jacob knows of future events(this is substantiated in other places as well).
g) Jacob eats food.
h) Jacob lives near the beach.
B) What We Know of Nemesis From The Beach
a) Nemesis asked to join Jacob.
b) Nemesis says he just ate but we can’t be sure that he did
c) Nemesis asks how the ship found the Island, thus he was not involved in bringing people to the Island. In fact, he seems rather displeased that there are visitors.
d) Nemesis claims that visitors to the Island will always fight, kill, corrupt and repeat. He is a fatalist. He does not believe in change, he is vowing that there won’t be change. He does not believe in progress.
e) Nemesis wants to kill Jacob. One would think there’s a motive here.
f) Nemesis pledges to find a loophole. Some think that he says ‘we’re’ going to find a loophole, some think he says ‘I’m going to find a loophole’. This is up for debate and I’m honestly not sure after several listens/viewings.
g)Nemesis lives inland.
C) Summary of Identifiable Traits of Jacob & Nemesis from ‘The Beach Scene’
a)Jacob
Knows when Nemesis will find the Loophole
Let’s the fish trap itself(personal choice)
Invites people to the Island
Believes in progress, change, and eventually an 'end'.
Believes man can progress
Lives by the beach
b)Nemesis
doesn't like visitors
believes in repetition, stagnation, and an unavoidable fate.
believes man will always be corruptible & murderous.
lives inland
c)Which gives us:
come to the island vs. don't come to the island, the ability to change vs. things always staying the same, freedom vs. fate. In each case Jacob represents the positive viewpoint and Nemesis represents the negative viewpoint. Jacob is light(good) and Nemesis is dark(bad). These are our two sides, and they've been on the show since the very beginning.
Now let's see what we can learn from the scene inside The Statue in The Incident.
A) What We Know of Jacob From The Beach:
a)Jacob allows the fish to enter the trap on it’s own, he does not actively hunt the fish, the fish is brought into the wading pool by the rising tide and chooses to enter the trap on it’s own.
b) Jacob offers to share his only fish with Nemesis.
c) Jacob invites people to the Island, repeatedly.
d) Jacob does not believe that people who visit the Island will always fight, destroy, and corrupt. He believes this cycle will come to an end, and that it ‘only ends once’. Everything else is just progress...which implies that each time someone visits, Jacob believes ‘the end’ is getting nearer. It is not stagnant and hopeless, this is a very optimistic view of man. He believes in growth, evolution, change, and progress.
e) Jacob has an idea how bad Nemesis wants to kill him. Perhaps because he wants Nemesis to die as well.
f) In reference to Nemesis finding a loophole and thus a way to kill him, Jacob says ‘well when you do, I’ll be right here’. Jacob knows where he’ll be when Nemesis finds the loophole. How does Jacob know that Nemesis won’t find the loophole while he’s visiting Jack, Kate, Hurley, etc? This demonstrates that Jacob knows of future events(this is substantiated in other places as well).
g) Jacob eats food.
h) Jacob lives near the beach.
B) What We Know of Nemesis From The Beach
a) Nemesis asked to join Jacob.
b) Nemesis says he just ate but we can’t be sure that he did
c) Nemesis asks how the ship found the Island, thus he was not involved in bringing people to the Island. In fact, he seems rather displeased that there are visitors.
d) Nemesis claims that visitors to the Island will always fight, kill, corrupt and repeat. He is a fatalist. He does not believe in change, he is vowing that there won’t be change. He does not believe in progress.
e) Nemesis wants to kill Jacob. One would think there’s a motive here.
f) Nemesis pledges to find a loophole. Some think that he says ‘we’re’ going to find a loophole, some think he says ‘I’m going to find a loophole’. This is up for debate and I’m honestly not sure after several listens/viewings.
g)Nemesis lives inland.
C) Summary of Identifiable Traits of Jacob & Nemesis from ‘The Beach Scene’
a)Jacob
Knows when Nemesis will find the Loophole
Let’s the fish trap itself(personal choice)
Invites people to the Island
Believes in progress, change, and eventually an 'end'.
Believes man can progress
Lives by the beach
b)Nemesis
doesn't like visitors
believes in repetition, stagnation, and an unavoidable fate.
believes man will always be corruptible & murderous.
lives inland
c)Which gives us:
come to the island vs. don't come to the island, the ability to change vs. things always staying the same, freedom vs. fate. In each case Jacob represents the positive viewpoint and Nemesis represents the negative viewpoint. Jacob is light(good) and Nemesis is dark(bad). These are our two sides, and they've been on the show since the very beginning.
Now let's see what we can learn from the scene inside The Statue in The Incident.
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