Contents 1 Insect Swarm 2 Made in the future 3 Reorganization 4 Other Comments 5 A stream of consciousness about the monster (in a bad english) 6 Black Rocks 7 A couple of ideas 8 How are the cat and the spider the monster? 9 From the Id 10 Similarities to Literature 11 Absorbtion 12 Emily Linus 13 Savior 14 Jabberwock 15 Other Theories 16 The Cow 17 Judgement idea 18 This addition doesn't make sense to me 19 Discreditted encounters 20 Theory About Black Smoke 21 Kate's Horse 22 Can this be removed from The Monster/Theories??? 23 My dad's interesting but sadly pretty disproved theory 24 The Shapeshifting Nemisis (Smokie) Is All Dead People Who Appear Off The Island 25 The Smoke Monster is the Angel of Death 26 Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan

Insect Swarm Edit

In Isaac Asimov's short story, Hallucination, there is a swarm of naturally occurring insects that possess intellect on par with a human when they're together. Additionally, the insects are individually nearly microscopic and they can form themselves into a believable similacrum of a human being, a cloud of insects, a giant face and apparently any other shape in between. Could it be that the monster is a naturally occurring species of insect similar to this?--Phenopticon 20:01, 21 May 2009 (UTC) Phenopticon

Made in the future Edit

• The monster we know is actually a creation from the future. It probably has been created by Jacob's nemesis, as Jacob hates technology. It is used by Jacob's nemesis to mess in timelines created by Jacob. The two are in a constant battle, and they use the physics of time as a weapon. I think the IDEA of a DHARMA initiative came from the same person, but that person travelled back in time to manipulate the De Groots' timelines so they would create DHARMA, just like Eloise Hawking created a timeline for her son by manipulating him into becoming a scientist. This person came from the future, where the technology for creating an apparatus like the smoke monster is available. By bringing it to a time where the technology isn't available yet, he can manipulate certain events, as the people involved will think it is a monster. They simply can't understand what they see, and therefore label it as monster. Maybe the resemblances with certain religious icons are there because the smoke monster has been used in the far past. Either it IS the source for these myths and beliefs, or it has been used because the people in that time feared their religious icons, and saw the machine as one of the icons from their religion. --Dennisernst 02:00, 16 May 2009 (UTC)

ReorganizationEdit

I propose that the technological aspect behind the Monster is moved to a separate page. This page should cover all technological aspects that is part of the Lost universe, i.e., the technology behind DHARMA stations etc. In this way we can reduce the size of pages such as this one that are too long and extensive.—The preceding unsigned comment was added by Ashrawi (talk • contribs) .

• Agree - theory page is much too big. The first section "Confirmed/Unconfirmed" could be moved to the parent article. Divide the remainder into separate Scientific and Spiritual pages.—The preceding unsigned comment was added by Jackdutton42 (talk • contribs) .
• Partial Agree. Confirmed should be moved to the parent article because those events are no longer theory.--Jim in Georgia Contribs Talk 14:26, 16 April 2009 (UTC)
• Disagree- we need to do a better job of editing the page into something more coherent. Merely casting the spam across more pages makes more spam/dead theories/nonsense that you have to wade through to get to a relevant point. Amber1713 17:49, 16 April 2009 (UTC)
• Disagree(with Ashrawi) & Agree with Amber1713- you've got to cleanup the page, not move the useless info to be read somewhere else. Theories like the smoke we saw when the plane broke up is the smoke monster, or everytime you see smoke it's the monster are ridiculous & not real theories. Other's are blogging on this page about their thoughts. It just needs to be cleaned up.  NEVERGIVEUP  Contribs  Talk  18:13, 16 April 2009 (UTC)

Other CommentsEdit

It can be supposed that there have been no mere hallucinations on the island, and that all hallucinations have been the manifestation of some paranormal psychic smoke monster, but this is highly unlikely. While a few of the visions may in deed actually be the “Monster”, or more likely caused by the presence of the “Monster”, it is highly that some, if not all the hallucinations are in fact caused by other factors like stress (Hurley saw Dave back in the US…or was the “Monster” I the mental institution as well), lack of sleep, injury, hunger, and thirst. To label so many things “manifestations of the monster” is like calling wolf, and places doubt on the theory that the “monster” can actually take human form, or more likely cause hallucinations.--ASEO 07:26, 21 November 2006 (PST)

They appear and disappear in an instant, possibly turning to black smoke. Since these other Others do not appear in the rest of the episode, it can be assumed that they were an assumed form of the Monster.

Absolutely no evidence that the torches were not Others. We have seen that there are enough Others on the island to have had the torches.--ASEO 07:08, 21 November 2006 (PST)

!
The big black rock in "S.O.S." |Seen behind Kate at the line with Jack.

Is every black rock on the island to be labeled the “Monster”. This is just a black rock.--ASEO 07:26, 21 November 2006 (PST)

!
A long line of black smoke in "A Tale of Two Cities" |Trails the plane during the mid-air break-up. It is the Monster tearing the plane to pieces, or at least assisting it to the ground once it had come apart.

Not all smoke is the “Monster” this smoke for example comes from a plane breaking up in mid air.--ASEO 07:26, 21 November 2006 (PST)

• I think the argument used is not good but the theory that when the torches go out we see the Monster is a good theory. Take a look at Three_Minutes/Theories#The_Torches.--EvilSmoke 07:28, 21 November 2006 (PST)

There is no evidence for that. Post the picture. All smoke on the island is not the "Monster". Torches smoke.--ASEO 07:46, 21 November 2006 (PST)

It is also very likely that, bearing the polar bears and shark as examples, that there are modified animals on the island. It is more probable that the follow animal sightings are not actually the "Monster"--ASEO 07:37, 21 November 2006 (PST)

!
Kate's Horse in "What Kate Did" |

!
A boar in "The Hunting Party" |The boar that taunted Sawyer

Vincent is more likly a Retriever of Truth than a manifestation of the "Monster".--ASEO 07:42, 21 November 2006 (PST)

!
Vincent |An innocuous method to judge the plane crash survivors.

A stream of consciousness about the monster (in a bad english) Edit

First of all I should say that is not sure that what we call "monster" and what is called "Cerberus" are the same thing (please, tell me if I'm wrong). But I think is interesting that Cerberus, the guardian of Hell, is a dog with three heads, and every head is a symbol: one for the destruction of the past, one for the destruction of the present and one for the destruction of the future. If you remember in "The 23rd Psalm" Eko saw a lot of images of his life (and these images make the counting machine's sounds). So, is Cerberus a machine surrounded by black smoke (maybe expelled from the CVs) that is used by a faction of the Others to know everything about the past (and the future) of the people on the island? And what about the killings of the pilot and Eko?

Another thing. If everything on the Island could be explaned with science, is it really possible that when the producers said we saw the monster in season 2 without knowing it, this was referenced to Yemi and other dead people? A scientific explanation could be that the smoke (and the vents) produces hallucinations. But, who knows?

Also we must remember that the sounds of the monster were not only chosen to make fear. J.J. Abrams, on Season 1 DVD (on the comment for "Pilot: part 1"), said that they (the producers) knew what was in the jungle during the first night, and they've spent a lot of time choosing the right sound for it. In my opinion this is a big hint for monster's nature: there are a lot of mechanical sounds, so it should be a machine. A war machine? Remember: Dharma Project was born during the Cold War, and all these research are on a Pacific Island. Maybe the producers' intent is also to accuse all the (nuclear) tests that destroyed (and are destroying) these little paradises. On the Official Podcast Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse said that season 3 is going to talk about the archeology of the Island, so it's possible that the Others are ex-Dharma people that repudiate what they were doing on the Island when they had found something particular. Or something like that.

I don't really know. I change idea on a possible theory every 5 minutes. 35% is because Damon and JJ are genius, 60% is because Lost has got a lot of narrative plans, so it's impossible to have only one theory for everything (but if it's possible...."Damon and JJ are genius"'s percentual will reach 95% percent), and 5% is because of internet.

Good night, good luck and thank you for reading. --andreapasotti, 14 December 2006

Black RocksEdit

L.O.S.T is filmed in Hawaii yes? A volcanic island? Would I be right in asuming that therefore it would have volcanic rocks on it? Volcanic rocks are black. This doesn't mean they are the monster in diguise. --Princess Dharma (banned) 13:08, 2 February 2007 (PST)

A couple of ideas Edit

Back to the Jungian theme what if the monster is a physical representation of the collective consciousness of the people on the island?

There are a number of references to a black/white monster, a set of black/white stones, and the Hanso foundation has a Yin-Yang symbol. The Yin-Yang symbol especially is reminiscent of the monster and is also black/white. Obviosuly these colours traditionally imply good vs evil and maybe there is an evil monster and a good 'monster'. The black and white in the Yin-Yang symbol however imply more of a balance between concepts, possibly between physical and spiritual or maybe between faith and science. --Cwhitwell 05:56, 21 February 2007 (PST)

How are the cat and the spider the monster? Edit

This doesn't make sense to me. Sure the cat bears a striking resemblance to the on in Sayid's flashback, but that hardly means it is a manifestation of the monster, especially when Mikhail seems to not only see it, but is very acquainted to it, even naming it.

I also don't see how the spider is the monster. The only similarity could be sound heard as the males came to swarm, but again, that isn't enough to warrant calling the spider the monster. The spider died. So does that mean the monster died too? No.

If we keep blaming everything on the monster, then why not throw in a couple polar bears? Hell, there was a shark a while back, was it the monster too? Those birds that Claire attached the message to, Monster. Those fish the Losties catch, Monster. Please think before you add stuff to the monster willy-nilly.    Mr Vain    talk    contribs    email   07:33, 5 April 2007 (PDT)

I'm deleting these entries in a day or two if no one can provide evidence as to why they should stay.    Mr Vain    talk    contribs    email   16:01, 6 April 2007 (PDT)

(Joke) Or the monster is a Barbapapa

• genius!

From the Id Edit

For whatever reasons, the scene in which smokey is stopped by the sonic fence brought to mind a similar scene in the classic film Forbidden Planet. In that frame of mind, and considering the possibilities surrounding the alleged magic box, the thought occured to me that the monster might be "from the Id". fatcatfan 11:54, 25 April 2007 (PDT)

Similarities to Literature Edit

The Smoke Monster exhibits some traits similar to some of the literary creations of Michael Crichton. Namely, the novel Sphere features an amorphous powerful black cloud that was generated from and feeds off of the irrational fears of one of the protagonists. Additionally, Crichton's novel Prey features an intelligent black cloud of nanites. Though the nanotechnology theory has been disproved, the similarities remain. Additionally, early podcasts, particularly the Official Lost Podcast/January 17, 2006 podcast hint at correlation between fear and the monster's powers which is somewhat similar to how aspects of the power in Sphere functioned. Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse have referenced Crichton in several podcasts.

Integer Man 03:30, May 27, 2010 (UTC)

Absorbtion Edit

It absorbs dead bodies and uses it to confound and confuse its prey by preying on its thoughts and emotions. When traveling it will shapeshift to a black smoke in order to surprise its prey. Examples of the monster in action: 1.) Jack's father's corpse goes missing. Later on it shows up talking to Jack by taunting him. 2.) Yemji burnt corpse is missing from the plane (near the pearl), the person who shows up to Eko looking like Yemji is not Yemji and explains to him, "you talk to me as if I'm your brother." Eko is killed by the monster a few minutes later, apparently he had a revelation as to who the monster was. - User:Gwag/sig 00:53, 30 April 2007 (PDT)

Emily Linus Edit

If her apparition is a manifestation of the smoke monster, how did it manage past the sonic fence to appear next to young ben's window ? FabC 14:49, 10 May 2007 (PDT)FabC

Savior Edit

All of the Losties who have died on the island have actually been the monster. It manages to save them, and assume their form, then give the other survivors the impression that they have died. An example of thie is when the plane fell with Boone in it, the monster took him out, and assumed his identity. The monster then takes the survivor to the second island, where they are under watch by the Others.

Jabberwock Edit

Maybe the monster is something like a Jabberwock. Definition from wikipedia: Jabberwock – A creature with jaws that bite, claws that catch, and eyes of flame. It probably lives in the woods, which is where the hero finds it, and can travel at considerable (whiffling) speed, and is also known for the burbling noise it makes.

--Helohe 11:00, 28 May 2007 (PDT)

Other Theories Edit

• Pissed off Bunny
  • The thoery that the Monster could be a pissed off bunny is very viable. Not proven fact which is why it is in the theory section. The only theory that has been discredited is the nano bot one. so please show citation from where it was discredited. Even if you disagree with a theory, that doesn't make it wrong or right. A theory is just that a theory, until proven or disproven.
  • Fair enough. Since this theory is so out there - it doesn't stand in proportion to any other theory regarded as credible by the community - I urge you to make the strongest case possible. Present as many arguments for your position as you can and let us vote. If enough people agree with you, we'll be happy to present your theory in the theory section.
    • This is not that far out there compared to the nano bot theory. It is simple a theory. According to the Lostpedia Theory submission page, a theory can be placed, then it must be discussed to be removed. The grounds for removal are 1. When information that confirms a theory is revealed by a reputable source, the statement becomes fact and can be moved from the Theories subpage to the main article. or 2.If a theory has been discredited due to the revelation of new facts from a reputable source, the theory should be removed from the theories page. If there is need to keep this theory for historical purposes, please place it on the discussion page of the article.CastorPollock 04:49, 15 February 2008 (PST)
    • This theory is humorous and pokes fun at the phenomena of the show and might fit better in the parody category. However, if a majority of the other members of the Lost-community perceives the idea of a bunny on a revenge-trip as something that's in line with the general atmosphere of the Lost story, the theory will stay where it is (at least until we have new evidence that refutes the possibility that a rabbit is seeking vendetta for past transgressions of laws of nature and violations of animal rights).
    • Well I for one think it would be possible for the monster to have "evolved into something elsed. For instance like the polar bears being bred to survive on the island and the desert. So it could be possible for whatever transipred in the Orchidstation to have changed the psysical make up of a rabbit, or any animal for that matter. The vents could be "rabbit holes".

The Cow Edit

What are the chances the cow from the last episode, that the copter pilot sees and disappears by the time Jack arrives, was the monster? And just an aside.. can the monster move between the two islands or is it constricted by the bounds of some kind.--Nasher 08:37, 16 February 2008 (PST)

• The cow was a survivor from the Flame station as seen in the enhanced version of confirmed deadCastorPollock 09:33, 16 February 2008 (PST)
• It would appear that the monster can not cross water. The monster also shows many animalistic characteristics, ie curiosity, fear sense, aggression, curiosity, and having a lair Cerebrus VentsCastorPollock 09:33, 16 February 2008 (PST)
  • Somewhere TPTB stated that the monster cannot completely leave the ground. Hence why it couldn't just "hop" over the sonar fence Juliet activated.-- Lost Locke 21:01, 22 July 2008 (PDT)
• To paraphrase Freud, sometimes a bovine is just a bovine. - ZachsMind 10:17, 16 March 2008 (PDT)

Judgement idea Edit

I think maybe the monster is the combined spirits/memories/etc (however you want to put it) of the people who throughout the history of the island failed to find a constant. I think they have somehow combined with a security system that already existed on the island and have taken it upon themselves to judge people they find on the island. Some are good some are bad which would explain in the whispers why some of them seem to want to help or give warning and others stop them. Just a thought anyway didn't think it was worth putting on the main theory page without further research and sources to start backing it up.Matthew7785 15:57, 30 April 2008 (PDT)

This addition doesn't make sense to me Edit

From the "Discredited theories" section:

Lindelof explained in no uncertain terms that the mysterious cloud of black smoke is not a cloud of nanobots. "Of course," he added, "that depends on how you define 'nanobot'."

"No uncertain terms" does not match the statement "that depends on how you define 'nanobot.'" "No uncertain terms" would indicate that it's not a nanobot no matter how you define the word. Jinxmchue 22:13, 3 May 2008 (PDT)

• To me, that means he's saying it's not the "traditional" definition of nanobot. In other words, it's not a bunch of flying, microscopic robots in a magnetic cloud.-- Lost Locke 21:06, 22 July 2008 (PDT)

Discreditted encounters Edit

Why are those discredited? Yes Darlton did say that, but they were laughing the entire time and certainly weren't serious. They will not tell us about the Monster until the series finale. While it is probable, Darlton hasn't even confirmed that the Monster is responsible for the visions.

• Carlton and Damon have confirmed that three encounters with the monster have been visions. They did so exactly 13 minutes and 26 seconds into Lost: The Answers. Damon says "We do know that the monster is able to process certain memories that you may have." Then they show three visions confirmed to be evoked by the monster: Jack's vision of his dead father, Kate's vision of the horse from her past and Shannon seeing Walt appear before her eyes though he physically wasn't there.
  • Regardless, Darlton was in a joking manner when they were saying what is and wasn't the Monster. It should ALL OF THEM should be under possible encounters, with none of them being confirmed or deconfirmed. You all are just taking what they sid way too literally. Seems to me those people believed that the Zombie Season was going to happen.
    • Okay. You misinterpreted what I wrote above. I was NOT talking about Lost Podcast, in which I'm well aware they were indeed joking pretty much half of the time and only gave a few reliable answers. What I was talking about was a special that came out right before the finale of season 3. Producers and writers made this special called Lost: The Answers for ABC after there had been many viewers criticising them for never giving definitive answers. The implication here, as you can understand, is that every answer they gave in this special is incontestable.

Theory About Black Smoke Edit

Sorry I am new to this and will attempt to not mess anything up; I would like to present my theory about the physical anomaly of the black smoke, not the "monster" itself but the black smoke we see. I think what we see as black smoke may actually be the visual effect of the absence of light. Perhaps whatever the monster is produces or is made of a substance that does not reflect any light waves so when viewed would appear to be a moving smudged black void or black smoke. Metamaterials have been proposed as a mechanism for building a cloaking device. These mechanisms typically involve surrounding the object to be cloaked with a shell which affects the passage of light near it.[11] On February 14, 2005, Andrea Alů and Nader Engheta at the University of Pennsylvania announced in a research paper that plasmons could be used to cancel out visible light or radiation coming from an object. from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metamaterial#cite_note-10 Perhaps a man made or naturally occurring Metamaterial with similar properties to the ones proposed here could cause the "black" smoke to surround the actual monster. -Talcho ~~~~

Kate's Horse Edit

In the 3-21-08 podcast, the following exchange regarding the status of various things seen on the Island occurred:

Damon: Basically, yeah. So everybody, they go into a door that says "deceased" once they die, we move them over there, and then there's the door that says "undead".

Carlton: Yeah.

Damon: And on the undead door there's only three pictures. One of them is...

Carlton: Christian Shephard.

Damon: One of them is Christian Shephard, and one of them is Yemi. And the other one is...

Carlton: Kate's horse.

Damon: Kate's horse. Just a picture of a horse. So...

Carlton: So Kate's horse is...

Damon: Undead.

Carlton: Undead. Ok, thank you, that was good. Very well done.

Conclusion: Kate's Horse is not related to the monster or, if it is, a better citation is required. One may listen to the podcast or read the partial transcript.

--Jim in Georgia Contribs Talk 21:33, 13 April 2009 (UTC)

• Why does this mean the horse is not the Monster? It only means the horse is "undead." "Undead" sounds like a term used for zombies, apparitions, etc. "Undead" is proof that the horse is the Monster, just like Christian and Yemi. The show "Lost: The Answers" confirms that the horse is the Monster. So, I need more information from you before I can rule it out. Jack Dutton 17:44, 15 April 2009 (UTC)

• Jackdutton42 points out elsewere that Lost: The Answers says that the horse is confirmed to be the smoke monster. Lost: The Answers also puts a disclaimer with the Answer's Given section that also says "While this episode is mostly a recap, a few possible answers are given - whether or not what the producers say is canon, or carefully edited possibilities by them, is unclear". This is vague as to whether it is truth or possibility. On the other side, the above copy of the podcast is also unclear. It confirms that Yemi is undead & we know that Yemi was also the smoke monster. It also confirms Christian is undead, but we don't know he is the smoke monster & I don't believe he is, personally. Therefore, the podcast is unclear as to the real answer of the horse. I lean towards Lost: The Answers & it is the smoke monster. Really this isn't of much importance, but started when someone asked (Talk:Dead Is Dead) if the horse Widmore was riding was Kate's horse.  NEVERGIVEUP  Contribs  Talk  18:26, 15 April 2009 (UTC)

Can this be removed from The Monster/Theories??? Edit

There are sections listed on this theory page titled.....

1. Possible references to myths and religious stories
2. Possible references to cultural works

.... I do not think these should be on the theory page as they are not really "Theories" about the Montser. They seem to be more about how you could relate the Monster to non LOST things. I would just remove them, but I'm not sure if I am right in my train of thought. Anyone else feel the same?  NEVERGIVEUP  Contribs  Talk  19:14, 24 April 2009 (UTC)

• Agree. IMO, any paragraph containing "might," "could," "I think" or "maybe" should be removed. I'm also suspicious of cites like "many characters..." and references to The Watchmen. Some of the items in the two sections could be moved to the The Monster#Cultural references, although it's filled to overflowing now.--Jim in Georgia Contribs Talk 20:02, 24 April 2009 (UTC)

My dad's interesting but sadly pretty disproved theory Edit

My dad got his doctorate in Spanish Colonial Literature, and for the longest time after first seeing the smoke monster he was convinced it was Tlizcatlipoca, the Aztec God of Death. Pros of this theory: Tlizcatlipoca is known as the smoke mirror, and reflects your sins back at you so you repent. Cons (and this is why the theory is now disproved): Those are Egyptian hieroglyphs. My dad was genuinely disappointed to see that ankh. So yes, this is totally unrelated to anything else, but I couldn't think of anywhere else to put it.

The Shapeshifting Nemisis (Smokie) Is All Dead People Who Appear Off The IslandEdit

Charlie, Eko, Anna Lucia and Christian are all forms of the shapeshifter (smokie) has taken while off the island, and appeared to Hurley and Jack. Walt, however, is the real Walt.

• Dalton said in a podcast that the monster HAS taken form of walt in Season 3 so there goes that theory
  • That referred to Walt on-island (when he was soaking wet talking to Shannon, and when he told Locke that John had "work to do). That did NOT refer to Walt off-island.
• Hurley is "blessed" by seeing dead people according to Jacob, so the Nemesis is NOT all the dead people who appear off the Island. He is the dead people who appear on the Island to people other than Hurley, namely Christian, Cabin Jacob, Yemi, etc. However, Hurley's friend Dave was always the Nemesis. In hindsight, you can tell who is who by their motives. The dead people Hurley sees are usually helping him and steering him towards Jacob and the Island. Not so the fake dead.
• The Nemesis took the form of dead people to convince the losties that the island is a miracle place; and ergo, manipulate them in creating his loophole in time. The Nemisis (Smoke Monster?) is quite capable of taking the form of living people too; however, it makes more sense to shapeshift into an unacounted-for body because:
  • 1. Characters ranging from Jack to Locke believe that their loved ones have come back from the dead, or are communicating from the afterlife. Otherwise, they may have been a little more "unpursuaded", believing that what they saw was a hallucination.
  • 2. To take the form of a body that nobody knows has died. (Claire in the Otherville Assault, Season 4? Or Russeau's team)
  • Furthermore, the Nemesis hides the bodies on the island to cover his own tracks. I agree that most of the spirits Hurley sees are not the Nemisis though

The Smoke Monster is the Angel of Death Edit

• The name under the casting call for "Esau" was Samuel. Sammael is a biblical name for the Angel of Death. I dont think the casting call name was for Esau's real character name but rather just something to throw off actors who may give away the shows secrets. However, it may be a reference to this Sammael figure, who in the bible, in addition to being the Angel of Death, is Esau's protector. The smoke monster has certainly killed people and has been manipulating the Losties for Esau's benefit.
  • The Smoke Monster is an Angel of Death-type figure, but Esau and the Monster are not the same. Rather, Esau is a Satanic figure. Thus, while the Monster is a malevolent servant of Esau, it is ultimately subject to Jacob's more divine authority.
    • Following the logic of this biblical allegory, if ESAU is SATAN, then he cannot be ESAU also. I don't think Lost at any point is going to utilise religion for anything more than the depth of its symbolism.
      • Esau is a name which fans have ascribed to him. No one is claiming that he is the actual Esau from history.
  • The Smoke Monster, Sammael, the Angel of Death, is Esau's guardian angel and is a seperate entity than Esau.

Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan Edit

• Throughout the series there are some obvious references in character names to political philosophers. One of the main characters is John Locke, for example, others include Rousseau and Bentham. One of the biggest missing names is Hobbes, as in Thomas Hobbes. I am not sure if it is enough to include it, but the theory of the smoke monster as an entity that could create a crimeless, yet false paradise by having absolute power, sounds a lot like Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan. Kevinklop 20:56, 1 August 2009 (UTC)

am thinking the smoke could be peoples pass huanting them posing as a past member of that persons life such as the black horse for kate and the vicar who is echos brother.... or maybe something searching for jacob that mite be why he has black (the same colour as the smoke) powder around his wood house that mite be why the smoke seems to scan peoples eyes maybe searching for jacob who can take many forms