Notes on Chapter 11, Return to Xanadu

[stefanie_bean]

Sun starting her garden in LOST deeply emotionally moved me, and I wanted to recapture some of that sense in Chapter 11, "What Happens in Moloka'i Stays in Moloka'i."

At first, Sun's knowledge of plants didn't necessarily seem odd or out of place. But later, we discover that she was a young girl of privilege who seemed to have spent most of her short life in luxury Seoul high-rises, and who majored in art history. So from where did she get her knowledge and expertise?

In shamanic lore, the shaman is often taught directly by the spirit of the plant (link.) Sun seems to have almost preternatural knowledge of the Island's plants, and how to grow them.

The episode 6x10 "The Package" suggested to me that the Island's protector (or one just about to become the protector) might influence the Island's health and fertility. Sun has just torn up part of her garden in a fit of rage and frustration. Later, Jack comes to comfort her. His trials have obviously taught him compassion along the way, and Sun responds. Finally, Jack shows her what he's picked from her garden: a single ripe tomato.

I couldn't forget that "one stubborn tomato." To me, that tomato wasn't there when Sun was losing her temper. Jack's only days away from being inaugurated as protector, but he's already acting like one. The tomato, to me, was a visible sign of his connection with the Island - specifically with the Island's growth and fertility. Plants spring up. Sun regains her voice. An almost-dead Sawyer gets revived. When the protector is really in-sync with the Island, people and things grow and flourish.

* * * * * * * *

Hugo's perception of the Hawai'ian lands being tied down by development was inspired by Israel (IZ) Kamakawiwoʻole's song "Hawai'i 78" (watch IZ sing it here.)

There really is a phallic rock at Pala'au, on Moloka'i. It's sacred to the Hawai'ian people, many of whom still adhere to their living traditions.

The themes of Hawai'ian occupation and sovereignty will come up again in later chapters.

* * * * * * *

I've taken a lot of liberties with Rima. She originally appears in the 1904 novel Green Mansions, by W.H. Hudson. The "daughter of the Didi," who speaks a bird-like language learned from her mysterious mother, has a magical connection with the Venezuelan jungle which is her home.

Instead of a girl with an affinity for birds, my cheeky, flirty Rima actually is a bird who sometimes takes the form of a woman. The LOST creators so unfortunately felt the need to "explain" the "Hurley Bird" in "The New Man in Charge" (a 12-minute epilogue released as part of the Season 6 DVD set, after the LOST series finale.) I prefer the notion that great green bird actually did cry out Hurley's name, and more so, did so because she and her tribe had been charged to watch over Hurley and protect him until the time when he would come into his own.

Comments

[inlaterdays.livejournal.com]

It never even occurred to me to wonder where Sun got her gardening knowledge but you are absolutely right - she'd have had no opportunity to do it in an urban high-rise.

What a beautiful and sad song. So moving. Am I right in thinking that Iz was crying as he sang?

Thank you again for posting your chapter notes. I really enjoy reading them.

[stefanie-bean.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure Iz was crying.

I have this head-canon that the Island kind of gives people infused knowledge, based on hidden (or not so hidden) interior potentials. So Sun, who is very responsive to plants, who's won over by the simple white flower which Jin gives her on two occasions, develops preternatural plant knowledge.

Similarly, Locke, who is intensely interested in woodcraft and hunting, develops those abilities, as does Kate.

You're welcome re: the notes. They're fun to write up.