Here On The Island- Scholarly critique of Gilligan's Island (truncated)

Fight the Bias ^ | Sept., 2012 | Lewis Napper

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Great works of literature often attempt to confront us with the obvious in such a way as to call the inevitable into question. Some strive to explain through metaphor that which is too complex or too abstract to state literally. Other forms seek only to capture some moment in time so that future generations may experience and learn from what has gone before them.

All of these qualities are ambitiously gathered in Sherwood Schwartz's masterwork, "Gilligan's Island." 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 Skipper represents official government. His authority stems not so much from democratic election as from the traditional role and powers of a ship's captain. This historical precedent seems to convey his right to leadership more than any personal characteristics or qualifications. The castaways rely on this symbolic "right" to leadership to unofficially consent to his capacity as governor.

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Ginger or Mary Ann?

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Full title:

“Here On The Island - by Lewis Napper

A Scholarly Critique of the Style, Symbolism and Sociopolitical Relevance of Gilligan’s Island”

[mirkwood]

MaryAnn.

[NeverForgetBataan]

Ginger or Mary Ann?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Both at the same time...

And my fave episode is when “Girrigan” finds the left behind Japanese soldier.

“Ahh, Girrigan.. you are my plisoner” ...hilarious

That dude looked just like Margaret Carlson. Could one of you HTML pilots put up a “separated at birth” side by side pics of them?

[Steely Tom]

MaryAnn.

Under the water tower.

[Gluteus Maximus]

Mary Ann. She was totally hot.

[workerbee]

The radio is a permanent fixation for the islanders. It is almost exclusively entrusted to "the Professor" who, of course, exemplifies science and academia Ahhh, academia!.... the Professor displays grand incompetence in some crucial areas. He seems oblivious to the constant flirtations of both Ginger and Mary Ann. He is Academia with a capital A! He is gay, of course.He preoccupies much of his time with endeavors that can be of little or no value to anyone.Duh!!! He is Academia with a capital A! The most glaring area of failure is that the Professor is unable to repair the boat. With all of his extraordinary capabilities it is indeed a great misfortune that he does not even seem to be interested in the boat. Well, of course not. The Boat represents the Constitution, self-reliance, liberty, and equality of opportunity, not outcomes. OF COURSE he isn't interested in The Boat!

[Salgak]

Come now, the question has been updated. . .

Inarra or Kaylee ???

(grin)

[stormer]

Eunice Wentworth...

[stormer]

[yarddog]

I saw a TV interview with Thusrston Howell III, Jim Backus was actually a good friend of Sherwood Schwartz.

Despite that, he thought the show was sort of dumb. There were all kinds of social messages supposedly but Backus never understood any of them.

The only thing which made it a success was the cast which was actually pretty good. Also I think everyone likes to imagine what it would be like shipwrecked on a desert isle which had all the things needed for survival.

Also I kept imagining what I would do with Mary Ann.

[irishtenor]

Mary Ann, of course.

[Emperor Palpatine]

Oh please.

Ginger.

That’s a given.

[mamelukesabre]

Ginger is a pain in the * and good for nothing except looking at herself in the mirror. Mary ann is awesome.

[Figment]

both

[FredZarguna]

Mary Ann on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Ginger on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Both on Saturday Night.

Well deserved rest on Sunday.

[bigbob]

Then:

Or Now?

[Revolting cat!]

Guilty before guilty now (Getty images links will get deleted by the FR Admins.)

[boop]

Sherwood Schwartz was pretty clear in his concept for the show. He said simply, the cast had someone that every viewer could "identify" with.

Nothing deeper than that.

Even though our modern eyes may interpret things differently.

BTW, Mary Ann was the hot one!

[Nuc 1.1]

Mary Ann.