The coffin is (not) empty

[Pynch]

I know this has been discussed in other areas, but I just wanted to try and clarify a full theory on this, with respectful nods to others who have already thought this through. (and apologies if someone's already posted this - I tried to do a full search).

I think the coffin is not empty - but I also think it does not contain the body of the person it is supposed to. I think the person Jack reads about in the paper has not really died, but has managed to return to the island instead. The body in the coffin is the body of an unknown person - faking the real person's death.

Following the example of the Oceanic plane found at the bottom of the sea, with the 'wrong' bodies in it, and the real bodies actually being on the island - when the funeral guy says 'do you want me to open it up?' - Jack's incredulous face is saying 'why would I want to see that body? Its not the body of the person I know - its irrelevant!'

Similarly - Kate's reaction 'why would I go to the funeral?' is incredulous -because the person hasn't died! They're just in a different place! The funeral is just for show - it doesn't mean anything real - why would she go?

....and finally - Jack's strong emotional reaction. He's been desperately trying to get back to the island for ages, and has effectively devoted his life to engineering a return - and here is someone who has managed to do it, when Jack has consistently failed. He's not crying for that person's death, and he's probably not even crying for the person leaving - he's crying for himself, and his own inability to get back to where he needs to be.

There - in a nutshell.

[The Wizard]

Ooh I do like that. That is all.

[Pynch]

Thank you.

[-x-madegurl-x-]

oh dear ogd yes!
so like, the person has managed to return to the island? and so obviously, the outside world will have to have a reason as to why they've dissapeared.. resulting in a funeral!
and jack perhaps went so he could say good bye? or maybe he didnt know the person got back to the island?

[monster-eats-pilot]

I like I like.
Simple enough theory, a good 'un aswell

[Pynch]

Thank you Monster, and thank you Madegurl.

The way I see it, I don't think Jack necessarily knows the person who left/died very well, and therefore didn't need to say 'goodbye' (for the same reasons as Kate said - why would I go to the funeral?). It might have been more about himself - because he'd been trying for so long to get back, and realised that someone else had managed to succeed, I think maybe he just wanted to be there - as if being there would bring him close to the island again, or show him how to get back. He was so upset, because he was essentially jealous of this other person's achievement, and therefore Jack couldn't bear his own failure in getting back to the island.

Poor guy.

[Matt Gogi]

That is very good The best coffin theory I've read methinks

[Dec4denc3]

Jin.

[monster-eats-pilot]

Originally Posted by Pynch

Thank you Monster, and thank you Madegurl.

The way I see it, I don't think Jack necessarily knows the person who left/died very well, and therefore didn't need to say 'goodbye' (for the same reasons as Kate said - why would I go to the funeral?). It might have been more about himself - because he'd been trying for so long to get back, and realised that someone else had managed to succeed, I think maybe he just wanted to be there - as if being there would bring him close to the island again, or show him how to get back. He was so upset, because he was essentially jealous of this other person's achievement, and therefore Jack couldn't bear his own failure in getting back to the island.

Poor guy.

Welcome
Agreed, [except for the poor guy bit, it's his own fault!!! ] he's probably so desperate to get back to the island he'll do anything.