Did you know “Gilligan’s Island” was an important piece of television history? It was full of “style, symbolism and sociopolitical relevance,” according to Lewis Napper over at FightTheBias.com.
Napper wrote a “scholarly critique” of “Gilligan’s Island,” and it is hilarious. I don’t know if he was serious about it when he wrote it, but it actually makes some sense and is a great read.
Here is some of what the essay had to say:
“Through a thin veil of canned laughter, unpretentious slap-stick, and inexpensive production the complete modern sociopolitical predicament is brought to the light of day.
“The island symbolizes society — any modern western society. It presents a canvas for painting all of the issues of the latest, greatest countries. A simple vehicle with clear boundaries designed to remove all irrelevant, external stimuli from the story and its message. Simplify to clarify.
“The story is actually about something much more fundamental. The most remarkable message of the tale lies in the paradox of the concentrated lust of the castaways — their burning desire to go back. Back to a time and a place that is more familiar and romantically remembered as ‘better.’
“The tragedy of the tale is not that they can never go back. The real affliction is the wish itself. They are all so preoccupied with the notion of going back that they never realize they are already in paradise.”
The true meaning of every character is explained. It reminds me of first reading what George Orwell’s characters in “Animal Farm” represented. It’s fascinating stuff.
Go now and read this piece. It’s superb.
Just in case you didn’t click the link earlier, here it is again: http://www.fightthebias.com/Resources/Humor/island.htm
