The Seven Lethal Sins Connection Followers Missed In Gilligan’s Island

There are numerous methods to interpret Sherwood Schwartz’s 1964 sitcom “Gilligan’s Island.” Creator Paul A. Cantor as soon as wrote in his 2001 guide “Gilligan Unbound: Pop Tradition within the Age of Globalization” that the sequence presents an idealized model of American democracy. Cantor’s thesis identified that the present’s seven castaways all got here from completely different American lessons — there have been two millionaires, a professor, a farmer, a pair of navy males, and an entertainer — however after they have been pressured to stay on a abandoned island collectively, they turned quick associates. Not solely that, however in addition they thrived. Schwartz was mentioned to have confirmed Cantor’s thesis in an obituary printed within the Washington Publish.

Many (together with this creator) see a Sisyphean ingredient to “Gilligan’s Island.” Each episode begins with hope. Usually, a brand new individual or object will wash ashore, providing the castaways a chance for escape. The chance is then constantly squandered, nevertheless, typically by means of Gilligan’s bumbling. Each episode subsequently ends on a be aware of despair, with the seven castaways lamenting their incapacity to depart the island. Gilligan is nearly a cosmic being, a holy idiot designed to unwittingly supply punishment to these round him. “Gilligan’s Island” takes place in a cartoon world that’s darkly undergirded by hopelessness.

There’s additionally a fan idea, one that always seems in informal analyses of “Gilligan’s Island,” that the seven stranded castaways are being cosmically imprisoned on Gilligan’s Island due to their sins. Certainly, as a result of there are seven of them, one could be fast to watch that every certainly one of them could possibly be emblematic of the Seven Lethal Sins. Whereas Sherwood Schwartz felt that “Gilligan’s Island” was an ideal democracy, he additionally admitted to NPR in 2008 that every character did certainly have a sinful flaw derived from the Seven Lethal Sins.

Within the NPR rundown, Szhwartz was particular about which castaway represented which Lethal Sin. The Professor (Russell Johnson) possessed experience, however typically let his information give approach to Satisfaction. The millionaire Mr. Howell (Jim Backus), as a result of he hoarded wealth, was the helpful avatar for Greed. Though she wasn’t outwardly sexual towards any of her island compatriots, Ginger (Tina Louise) was typically flirtatious and libidinous, making her the avatar for Lust. Mary Ann, a easy nation denizen, typically expressed Envy when taking a look at her fellow castaways. In line with Schwartz, it was Mrs. Howell (Natalie Schafer) who was most frequently offended and impatient, giving her the mantle of Wrath. Actor Alan Hale wasn’t allowed to drop a few pounds whereas taking part in the Skipper, implying that he was the avatar of Gluttony. And, in fact, the hapless, unmotivated Gilligan (Bob Denver) was the consultant for Sloth.

This can be a enjoyable idea, though it would not maintain lots of credence with Mrs. Howell. Mrs. Howell was not a wrathful character; she was humorous due to her cluelessness and sophistication unawareness. She might need been responsible of Satisfaction or Greed, however not Wrath. If something, the Skipper is the wrathful character, most frequently dropping his endurance with Gilligan and hitting him together with his hat. Additionally, the Skipper might have been fats, however he by no means outwardly expressed a lot Gluttony. Maybe there have been no Gluttons on Gilligan’s Island, and two avatars for Greed.

If one needed to spin the Seven Lethal Sins idea out into extra normal theories of historical literary tragic flaws (known as Hamartia in Greek theater), the maybe this interpretation would work higher. Maybe the characters all exhibit self-doubt about their skill to flee or hubris of their assumed mastery over the weather; they did not have to go on that three-hour tour. Tragic flaws, nevertheless, usually solely come from tragic figures, and the “Gilligan’s Island” crew are all comedy characters.

If we’re speaking about inventory comedy characters, then the Minnow survivors aren’t Lethal Sins or tragic heroes, however extra possible archetypes from centuries-old Commedia dell’Arte traditions. Commedia, for individuals who have not studied it but, usually employed a restricted variety of inventory characters for his or her tales, and such characters normally wore the identical costumes and/or masks from manufacturing to manufacturing. Essentially the most well-known Commedia archetype is Arlecchino, a bumbling clown. His identify would finally be translated to “Harlequin.”

Gilligan is clearly Arlecchino. The Skipper, in the meantime, matches into the braggart navy mildew of Scaramuccia. Mr. Howell, an older, rich man, is clearly Pantolone, and the Professor, a realized sort, is Il Dottore. Ginger could be Gianduja, though she is a peasant character who usually drinks an excessive amount of. Sadly, there is no such thing as a “film star” equal in Commedia. Mary Ann, nevertheless, matches properly into the position of Columbiana, a perky maid-like determine. Mrs. Howell, being a counterpart to Mr. Howell, is merely a secondary Pantolone.

Precise students of Italian theater, nevertheless, would possibly wish to chime in with their very own theories.

There’s additionally the post-modern interpretation of the characters as offered in Tom Carson’s bold 2003 novel “Gilligan’s Wake,” which supplies every of the castaways elaborate, and sometimes very tragic, backstories. Gilligan was mentally unwell in that rendition. Mr. Howell was responsible of many crimes, and Mrs. Howell barely tolerated her husband. Ginger had enaged in secret affairs with recognized celebrities, whereas the Skipper had misplaced associates in fight.

That so many theories exist about “Gilligan’s Island” is solely proof of how deeply the present has penetrated into the mass consciousness. It’ll stay without end.