I have a friend who’s rich-rich and always talks about “social justice” and capitalism but doesn’t even say good morning to the woman who cleans her house or acknowledges that the rest of the friend group can’t keep up with her plans because everything is around money. Olivia and Paula remind me of her.
Same with my uni friend. Always talking about how messed up the world is, especially for women and people of colour. But does she live in a multi-million pound house? Yes. Did she use her dad’s connections to step over everyone else for a prestigious and well paid job? Yes. Does she insist she’s broke when really she just hasn’t asked for money to be transferred to her account that day yet? Yes.
I find Olivia’s empathy for marginalized groups quite performative. She wants to be seen as smart and morally superior, but she could never extend that basic empathy to the very people around her - her brother, her dad, her mom, even her best friend. Maybe it’s because she thinks they’re too privileged and don’t deserve that empathy. She weaponizes empathy as a political tool, not a moral principle
she was also always rude to the hotel workers, who were part of the marginalized groups she claims to defend, which shows even more how performative she was
I actually thought Daphne was one of the most complicated characters in the show! She shows herself to be very shrewd and calculating while hiding it all under a very shallow exterior.
I believe that Cameron’s cheating does hurt her, but it also grants her an excuse to do whatever the fuck she wants, while still maintaining this outward image of the perfect family. Some relationships are based on love, others are transactional, but may also become loving, or at least have some form of attachment to them. Her relationship with Cameron serves as a safety net. I don’t want to reduce her to the gold digger trope, because it is sexist and vilifies the woman. There where the woman, Daphne in this case, requires status, money, comfort, and the life of her desire, she has to ‘put up with’ Cameron cheating and going on drug-fueled benders. But he wants something out of that relationship too. It’s symbiosis.
@@fleurjoesten I agree. Reading your comment reminds me of season 1 with Alexandria dodarrio’s character. She was afraid to embrace that trophy wife, but symbiotic life with her wealthy husband. Like, the little career and work she had done was worse than she realized we get mad at her by the end when she returns to her shitty husband. But in season 2 we see a couple that sort of embraces them getting whatever they want in life and from each other. Toxic though it may be
@@fleurjoesten I think Daphne is the best example of someone who is in a narcissistic relationship, has no desire to get out, and has learned how to handle the narcissist and still be happy in life. Daphne is my favorite character. She’s deep. I do think she and Cameron love each other, especially to the deepest a narcissist can love someone. You can see it when they are talking about her difficult baby delivery. But it’s still love with a narcissist. It’d be interesting to know more of her background / how she and Cameron started. I wouldn’t be surprised if she grew up with a narcissistic father so that’s what she thinks love should look like / why she is an expert at dealing with it. This is not me painting narcissistic relationships in a good light btw. In a relationship with a narcissist? Daphne and Cameron are the best possible outcome. And that’s def not the outcome I’d want for my marriage.
@@Justitia_Nomen I understand what you are saying, however I do feel that in season two with Daphne it’s a choice, and with Alexandria Dodarrio’s character it is more an expectation that now she is married to this wealthy guy, she is expected to give up her career. The success of that career is unimportant. I also believe the success of her career is downplayed. It’s misogyny at its finest. While I do believe that Daphne doesn’t like/approve Cameron’s behaviour, I do think that it is more of a choice for her to play that role than it is for Rachel. It wouldn’t be my relationship of choice in either seasons, and I feel that both guys are incredible misogynistic assholes, but to a degree I feel that Daphne has more self-awareness and agency in her decision to the relationship. It hurt me to see Rachel going back to this guy. I don’t know. It’s complicated for sure.
@@Olivia-bl8ez I believe that to a degree most of the characters in The White Lotus are narcissistic. To me that isn’t the most interesting thing about these characters though. I also am not very interested in Daphne’s relationship with her father (I don’t want to downplay your interest, but this is a fictional character after all. Any backstory would be made up, and therefore I feel it doesn’t really add that much to the story). No matter how someone grew up, or what their backstory is, she clearly made a decision to be in that relationship. And narcissistic or not, it is transactional to a degree, that is for sure. And if it is love? I don’t know. Maybe. But to me what is most interesting is her reason to stay. We all have different values in life. If it is power, status, wealth and the image of “the perfect family” you desire, a guy like Cameron might be your best bet. I find it interesting that Daphne refers to the Dark Triad when speaking to Harper about “all these other guys, true psychopaths”, when we see Cameron displaying these same characteristics. She just doesn’t see, or mind them.
I feel like you were way easy on Paula and Olivia lol. I had a slightly different take. While I agree that they are shown to be one of the only ones with an awareness of their social situation, I felt like this "empathy" they possess is worn like an accessory, much like their books. Olivia especially has so much empathy for every marginalized group yet the people around her, she barely has any empathy for, commenting on a society [and generation] that seemingly is involved in so much activism, yet at the heart of it, don't really care that much at all. Even Paula mentions in episode 5 that their friendship is nothing but an accessory for [woke] street cred. And I think that hug that Olivia gave Paula in episode 6 is a brilliant form of self growth for her character, because for once she was able to manifest true empathy for someone close to her, showing that she is capable of the empathy that up till now, has only been performative.
I somewhat agree, but I'd think there's a bit more depth to that. If I remember correctly, it is mentioned that Paula and Olivia attend the same college, and even while it's apparent that they do not have equally wealthy family backgrounds, they both enjoy some similar privileges, probably like attending to that mentioned (prestigious, I would assume thinking Olivias family) college. I do think they actually really believed in things they said about race, class, etc. but fall short really understanding those things because of their relatively privileged lives and positions (+ young age). It's easy to fall on that trap when being young but also having access to lot of knowledge without tools to deeply understanding it and that's also why I think Paula ends up making that terrible plan with Kai.
Cameron opens the book when they get back to the beach but doesn't read it, instead he is looking at Harper and Ethan. He closes the book when Daphne comes back. He didn't read a single page of that book.
im so glad someone else caught on to olivia and paula reading at the airport before the end of s1!! seeing that scene gave me chills. at the end of the day, whatever friendship quarrel they had didn't really affect them, the real loss there was kai's whole fucking life. its almost as if they went through this whole ordeal and were left with no consequences, but the real mess was made in kais life.
She treated Kai horribly. He was a vacation project for her that failed, and she dropped it from her mind as easily as she dropped his necklace into the ocean and returned home to her privileged life.
We studied The White Lotus in an English lit class and I literally wrote a short essay about the books in the show last week... Your timing could not be more perfect hahaha
‘The White Lotus’ feels like one of those Campy ‘80s Shows with great Island Mysteries. Also, the receptionist and Resort Manager in both seasons are absolutely iconic.
Hi, would it be possible to make a video about all the books you recommend but sorted by reading level? Because I want to get into reading but I feel like I’m starting with higher level books and i need to start before that
It feels more like how Shakespearean plays are structured but with a modern twist. Tragedies with elements of comedy throughout the episodes. Multiple character plots that give social commentary etc..
Olivia and Paula is probably my favorite duo from both seasons. They are exactly the same but different at the same time, Olivia has empathy for every one that is "below" her, but she doesn't have any empathy with her brother or father (feeling bad because his father lied to him his whole life is not being homophobic), Paula has empathy for Kai because she sees him as "equal" but in reality she is way closer to Olivia's life than Kai's, and she has no empathy or respect for Olivia even though they are friends... Paula could have stolen the bracelet but she didn't see herself as a 'criminal', but Kai she saw as someone who had "nothing to lose" but in reality he is the one who lost everything. I also love when Harper said to Ethan "We are the exotic friends" because even though they are both rich now, they still don't "belong" in the same place as the white rich people like Daphne and Cam do, that became very explicit when Cam and Daphne said they sleep well because "there's nothing to worry about".
I don't personally think Olivia is empathetic, I think she tries too hard to understand those "below" her but still misses. It could be as a result from all the books she reads, but not because she's naturally inclined to help or feel for others. Paula, on the other hand, is empathic because she feels closer to Kai's background, but not because she's a natural sympathizer. I don't know man, I just feel like both try so hard to show understanding of the world but still miss terribly. At least they tried 😂
@@vmateo2842 I agree, and that's why they are so interesting, you almost can feel the vibes changing between them, both actress are so good at it it's amazing
I don't think Daphne is anywhere near superficial. She offered some of the best pearls of wisdom from the entire show, in the last episode with Ethan. It proves that she has great emotional intelligence but doesn't feel a need to rub it on everyone's face like Harper, who actually is superficially intelligent and vague and just tries too hard.
I think Daphne has multiple sides, and her entire character arch is us going from thinking she’s just a ditsy housewife to coming to the realization that she’s hyper-aware situation she’s in and has just adapted to it to survive. I think she’s a chameleon, someone who plays dumb to get by and prioritizes her family over herself. I don’t even think the book belonged to Cameron. It probably belonged to his Daphne which implies that although shes a Vanity Fair girl on the outside, she’s intelligent on the inside.
Hard Disagree. She is very superficial, but that does not mean she is not intelligent. She has found a way to deal with her husbands cheating and is very successfully preserving her high-status marriage and wealthy lifestyle. Those are objectively superficial priorities, but she's achieving them by being adaptive and intelligent.
This came at the perfect time! I just finished season two and forced my mom to watch it so we can discuss 😂 I didn't even realise there was this much symbolism in it 🤯 Thank you Jack!
I love love LOVED this show. Symbolisms are everywhere and I loved your take on Olivia and Paula's parallelism. But I also noticed that both Olivia from S1, and Cameron from S2, had an issue with their supposed friends when it came to dating or having someone. For example, Paula mentioned that Olivia stole her ex and always wanted whoever she was interested in. Ethan mentioned something about Mimetic Desire which means is the subconscious need to pursue someone's goals, or romantic interests in this case. I found it very interesting how both Paula and Ethan weren't white privileged people, but they were both mixed race and smarter than their so-called friends.
Also that both Olivia and Cam had some weird homoerotic feelings towards their friend. It’s like they want them but settle for the next best thing, which is their partners/love interests.
ALSO When Cameron emerges from the room this can also play with the compatibility motif! Ethan sees Cameron read and it may be a symbolism on his growing fear that Harper and Cameron may be compatible
Re: Olivia & Paula reading a different book every time, there’s also a decent chance that they are being assigned a chapter or essay from each book for a survey college class.
TWL is one of my favorite shows and i was also super curious about the books featured in it so i’m so excited that you’re talking about them!! another thing to note regarding paula and olivia is that while both of them read books with themes like colonialism, performativity & class, olivia may have had different motivations with them. paula reads them because she’s a WOC probably genuinely interested in knowing how colonialism & class differences affected people like her through history, and how to combat them. but olivia is the only member of her family who even *seems* to care about being socially and culturally aware - there’s a theory that she did want to be educated on such matters, but when it came down to it, she was still just as careless as the rest of her family. it’s possible that she’s only concerned about such themes as long as they aren’t a threat to her social/financial status (a good example would be when her dad mentioned her liking her family’s money, and her having no comeback to that because she does, and she’s no better than them just because she has a degree of self awareness)
Such astute observations, Jack! I thoroughly enjoyed your analysis of not only the use of literature in the White Lotus, but the wider implications of the characters’ arcs throughout the show.
yesss I'm so happy to hear your analysis of Olivia and Paula's books! I have run into this in both "Decolonial" and "Spiritual" spaces- people who read a lot of books but have no experience of these things. So they know all the jargon, they quote the right people, they will bring up a book and scoff at you if you haven't read it, but haven't embodied any of the content. that's why they will pick fights with you about the ideas they want to uphold but not act on the values. I have a friend, I met them in a rural village in West Africa. They have spent the last 15 years riding their bicycle around the world. the amount of embodied knowledge about existing outside of overarching systems is extraordinary. but she has not read any of the books, she doesn't have the framework to think about what she has witnessed/experienced/felt in a decolonial context. she has soooooooo much information and taught me a lot about both the cultures she has visited and her experience in them (esp as a person who looks gender ambiguous). She's kind and gracious and treats people with respect, and sometimes shared what she witnessed through the lens of her nation's values without understanding the bigger picture of how these people got this way. I think I am half half. I have a B.Ed in Humanities and Indigenous Studies. I have been to nearly 40 countries, often going "off the beaten path" or at least spending most of my time listening to people. I have experienced and adjusted to African Time and back-ish, I have spent time with people who are not influenced directly by the USA at all. People who practice older religions, people who have lived their whole lives in war, etc etc etc. so I am blessed with both the framework and the experience to hopefully speak and act/move in ways that are in alignment. However, I often encounter the bookies and they dismiss my experiences if I can't quote the right books or know all the niche jargon/theology. but whatever they explain I have usually considered and experienced. very reading about meditating versus meditating.
Plaza was the MVP of that show. Didn’t watch season 1 but this breakdown is brilliant. Down to how the characters connect or aren’t on the same page with their dynamic. 👏🏾
I think a lot about the relationship between Olivia and Pola, it is funny how they can talk hours about social issues, and have smart critiques but struggle with lack of confidence on each other.
I don't know how else to say this but I really appreciate the thought and effort you put into all of your reviews. This video shows just how much you care about what you do - it's a brilliant over analysis. The intellectual in me is buzzing. Also you made me want to watch the show now. Please do keep making these and reminding me of why I love reading so much 😊
Hey Jack :) I’m sort of a rookie in the whole reading thing just because Im 22 and only really started to like the hobby around a year ago, and I just wanna say your channel has given me such an awesome way to engage in the space. So thank you for that
I think my brilliant friend is more symbolic in its storyline that it is given credit for. The book is the first in a series which is largely about patriarchy and the role women are meant to play in relationships. Many aspects of Rachel’s journey mimic the books, specifically the later ones, which is why I think it wasn’t discussed as much as it’s not as apparent in the first book. Rachel reading the first book to me symbolizes how much she doesn’t know and learns throughout the story.
I love the my brilliant friend series. I jokingly call it the “men are trash” novels 😂. I’ve had to take a hiatus though because sometimes the subjects hit way too close to home as a woman.
@@rai2423it is! I do not see it get hyped up on booktok/book tube as much as it should be. Sometimes people don’t want to read it because (to quote a tiktok I saw) the cover looks like white lady Christian novel. Plus any media associated with women’s experiences are automatically devalued by society anyways. 😢
When you said the girls mirrored each other when they were reading, I immediately thought of Lacan's mirror stage and bam a scene where one of them was reading theories of colonialism and the other Ecrits by Lacan :) One can also speculate that, because the mirror stage theory is about coming to terms with a distinction between the self and the other, and also remembering that Fanon's books (read previously by the girls) dealt with how the Black subject was unconsciously coerced to see herself in the image of the White, the girls' evolving relationship with each other and their separate self realizations were also mirrored in the books they were reading.
when i finished the first season a couple months ago i went to youtube to see if you had made a video like "reading all the books in the white lotus" bc i couldn't stop noticing all the different titles throughout the episodes so god i enjoyed this so much
So I don’t think Tanya and Daphne are actually shallow at all. Well Tanya is pretty aloof. But I think both of them have been through so much sh*t that they avoid thinking too deeply about things. But Daphne shows she’s far from dumb. Tanya had a really rough childhood we know from the first season. And Daphne has had to shut off emotionally being in a relationship with such a narcissist. Who knows what Daphnes childhood was like if Cameron is the person she was most comfortable with. I think they are “superficial” cuz thinking deeply is too painful for both of them. So they’d rather keep things more fun and surface level.
Thank you for this video, I loved it! Just like you, I felt a sense of mourning after finishing season 2. I do agree with Cynical Duchess though on how you're considering the girls as the only characters capable of empathy: it makes me realize that they are capable of intellectual empathy, they are able to understand thanks to their readings and personal views many aspects that are wrong within society (misoginy, the oppression of native people...). Yet, they are the embodiment of self-centered characters : Paula develops empathy with Kai because of their relationship, and Olivia isn't capable of empathy towards anyone. Both of them are even bullying Quinn to the extent that he has to sleep on the beach. So although they are "documenting" empathy for themselves, the only person who actually experiences it, changes his view on the world and creates real, emotional connections is ... Quinn. His character is the most fascinating to me: his journey is purely personal, but it's far more powerful than the girls' intellectual one.
I wonder if Cameron showing his book is a way to signal to Ethan that he's become smarter because of Harper, as a nod back to the mimetic desire speech at the wine tasting 🤭
this might be my favorite video of you yet!! So here for you analyzing and interpreting everything book-related in the series. It actually made the whole show and dynamics even more interesting to me in hindsight. Please, more of that!
three days ago i watched season 1 and after maybe half an hour into the show I was thinking "JACK EDWARDS NEEDS TO DO A VIDEO ON THIS SHOW" and there you go I manifested it. This whole symbolism makes this show even more brilliant I love it
I’m glad you brought this up because I just rewatched both seasons again and I cracked up when the scene just shows Shane reading Blink… it’s just frickin hilarious for him 😂
I mean I just love this channel man. This is my comfort channel ❤. was actually wondering about the books and trying to catch them while watching the series and here you are!
I could listen to you analysing and digging into every little detail and hidden meaning in this show. You hold my very fragile attention better than any teacher i’ve every had - perhaps that was out of pocket but you get it😅i really love these types of videos, thank you jack. ♥️
The s1 theme tune is definitely gonna be in my wrapped. especially because it's so easy to play on loop since it's only a minute long. I've alr played it over 20 times (I watched the show last week)
Just finished season 2 episode 6 and saving the finale for tomorrow. What a wicked show. Whoever did the sounds/ picked the soundtrack is an absolute genius
I was very curious about all of the books in the first season, I really wanted to know what significance they had in the story. I kept hoping Jack or another booktuber would make a video about it. Good work on this one old chap, well done!
The music really is incredible imo, and I couldn't imagine the show without it. My favourite 'song' so far is when Quinn is in the ocean and you're washed over with the sound of a (I'm guessing Hawaiin) choir - it's stunning.
I'm late to this video because I had to go watch both seasons of White Lotus first before watching this but I'm here now; and that's all I'm going to say about how much I love your videos.
You missed the reference to Gogol which tipped off Mark's situation a bit. It could of been a reference to the Nose (ie something physical changes and takes over that person's concerns), but could also hint that something completely unexpected or absurd would completely throw his life off course, which is what happened a few times in the series.
This is exactly what I've been looking for when I finished this series! Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Will definitely rewatch this video until season 3 comes back 😍
Very good observation and analysis Jack!! Based on what i heard from Mike White in his interviews that the next season could be set in Asia, I have a feeling that the next season will be either 1. White Lotus India or 2. White Lotus Thailand or 3. White Lotus Indonesia. He's already been to India as part of the Amazing Race so I'm hoping that it be India :)
If it's Thailand I feel like that's a big reason to keep following Greg's arc, who will have inherited Tanya's fortune and lost his love. Doesn't he look like Bogart?
Ah, Phuket could definitely be the place for s3! I was thinking it could be either Maldives/Bali (Indonesia)/Okinawa (Japan) and totally forget about Phuket
Amazing analysis, thank you Jack! I agree the books shown to us cannot be incidental, and I agree both with people saying Daphne is not actually superficial and with you since you explained very well that this is kind of her choice. I love pondering on the details in series and movies I watch, so thanks again for this video!
I have a friend who’s rich-rich and always talks about “social justice” and capitalism but doesn’t even say good morning to the woman who cleans her house or acknowledges that the rest of the friend group can’t keep up with her plans because everything is around money. Olivia and Paula remind me of her.
Same with my uni friend. Always talking about how messed up the world is, especially for women and people of colour. But does she live in a multi-million pound house? Yes. Did she use her dad’s connections to step over everyone else for a prestigious and well paid job? Yes. Does she insist she’s broke when really she just hasn’t asked for money to be transferred to her account that day yet? Yes.
@mazzy_vc and you chose to be her friend despite judging her?
@@DONTcareAnymore000 I realized all of this a couple of years after we stopped talking 👍
I find Olivia’s empathy for marginalized groups quite performative. She wants to be seen as smart and morally superior, but she could never extend that basic empathy to the very people around her - her brother, her dad, her mom, even her best friend. Maybe it’s because she thinks they’re too privileged and don’t deserve that empathy. She weaponizes empathy as a political tool, not a moral principle
she was also always rude to the hotel workers, who were part of the marginalized groups she claims to defend, which shows even more how performative she was
Wow that was so well said
Her parents call her out on it at dinner.
saying the right thing to get to the top of the pyramid instead of dismantling the pyramid.
maybe she's just like her mother.
I actually thought Daphne was one of the most complicated characters in the show! She shows herself to be very shrewd and calculating while hiding it all under a very shallow exterior.
I believe that Cameron’s cheating does hurt her, but it also grants her an excuse to do whatever the fuck she wants, while still maintaining this outward image of the perfect family. Some relationships are based on love, others are transactional, but may also become loving, or at least have some form of attachment to them. Her relationship with Cameron serves as a safety net. I don’t want to reduce her to the gold digger trope, because it is sexist and vilifies the woman. There where the woman, Daphne in this case, requires status, money, comfort, and the life of her desire, she has to ‘put up with’ Cameron cheating and going on drug-fueled benders. But he wants something out of that relationship too. It’s symbiosis.
@@fleurjoesten I agree. Reading your comment reminds me of season 1 with Alexandria dodarrio’s character. She was afraid to embrace that trophy wife, but symbiotic life with her wealthy husband. Like, the little career and work she had done was worse than she realized we get mad at her by the end when she returns to her shitty husband. But in season 2 we see a couple that sort of embraces them getting whatever they want in life and from each other. Toxic though it may be
@@fleurjoesten I think Daphne is the best example of someone who is in a narcissistic relationship, has no desire to get out, and has learned how to handle the narcissist and still be happy in life. Daphne is my favorite character. She’s deep. I do think she and Cameron love each other, especially to the deepest a narcissist can love someone. You can see it when they are talking about her difficult baby delivery. But it’s still love with a narcissist. It’d be interesting to know more of her background / how she and Cameron started. I wouldn’t be surprised if she grew up with a narcissistic father so that’s what she thinks love should look like / why she is an expert at dealing with it.
This is not me painting narcissistic relationships in a good light btw. In a relationship with a narcissist? Daphne and Cameron are the best possible outcome. And that’s def not the outcome I’d want for my marriage.
@@Justitia_Nomen I understand what you are saying, however I do feel that in season two with Daphne it’s a choice, and with Alexandria Dodarrio’s character it is more an expectation that now she is married to this wealthy guy, she is expected to give up her career. The success of that career is unimportant. I also believe the success of her career is downplayed. It’s misogyny at its finest.
While I do believe that Daphne doesn’t like/approve Cameron’s behaviour, I do think that it is more of a choice for her to play that role than it is for Rachel. It wouldn’t be my relationship of choice in either seasons, and I feel that both guys are incredible misogynistic assholes, but to a degree I feel that Daphne has more self-awareness and agency in her decision to the relationship. It hurt me to see Rachel going back to this guy. I don’t know. It’s complicated for sure.
@@Olivia-bl8ez I believe that to a degree most of the characters in The White Lotus are narcissistic. To me that isn’t the most interesting thing about these characters though. I also am not very interested in Daphne’s relationship with her father (I don’t want to downplay your interest, but this is a fictional character after all. Any backstory would be made up, and therefore I feel it doesn’t really add that much to the story). No matter how someone grew up, or what their backstory is, she clearly made a decision to be in that relationship. And narcissistic or not, it is transactional to a degree, that is for sure. And if it is love? I don’t know. Maybe. But to me what is most interesting is her reason to stay. We all have different values in life. If it is power, status, wealth and the image of “the perfect family” you desire, a guy like Cameron might be your best bet. I find it interesting that Daphne refers to the Dark Triad when speaking to Harper about “all these other guys, true psychopaths”, when we see Cameron displaying these same characteristics. She just doesn’t see, or mind them.
I feel like you were way easy on Paula and Olivia lol. I had a slightly different take. While I agree that they are shown to be one of the only ones with an awareness of their social situation, I felt like this "empathy" they possess is worn like an accessory, much like their books. Olivia especially has so much empathy for every marginalized group yet the people around her, she barely has any empathy for, commenting on a society [and generation] that seemingly is involved in so much activism, yet at the heart of it, don't really care that much at all. Even Paula mentions in episode 5 that their friendship is nothing but an accessory for [woke] street cred. And I think that hug that Olivia gave Paula in episode 6 is a brilliant form of self growth for her character, because for once she was able to manifest true empathy for someone close to her, showing that she is capable of the empathy that up till now, has only been performative.
yeah olivia couldve stolen the bracelets just as easily but she placed that burden on kai's shoulders.
@@dazey8706 agreed!
Well put. It transfers over to reality, as well. So many ppl wear virtue as an accessory, without the conviction to live it out on their own.
I somewhat agree, but I'd think there's a bit more depth to that. If I remember correctly, it is mentioned that Paula and Olivia attend the same college, and even while it's apparent that they do not have equally wealthy family backgrounds, they both enjoy some similar privileges, probably like attending to that mentioned (prestigious, I would assume thinking Olivias family) college. I do think they actually really believed in things they said about race, class, etc. but fall short really understanding those things because of their relatively privileged lives and positions (+ young age). It's easy to fall on that trap when being young but also having access to lot of knowledge without tools to deeply understanding it and that's also why I think Paula ends up making that terrible plan with Kai.
@@meli6875 it wasn’t Olivia who talked Kai into the burglary, it was Paula, the mixed race girl. Olivia is the white girl with the rich family.
Cameron opens the book when they get back to the beach but doesn't read it, instead he is looking at Harper and Ethan. He closes the book when Daphne comes back. He didn't read a single page of that book.
What was the title?
@@turnstyletouchbunny Gone Bamboo
still, he brought it with him from the US
im so glad someone else caught on to olivia and paula reading at the airport before the end of s1!! seeing that scene gave me chills. at the end of the day, whatever friendship quarrel they had didn't really affect them, the real loss there was kai's whole fucking life. its almost as if they went through this whole ordeal and were left with no consequences, but the real mess was made in kais life.
They are the Daisy and Tom of their generation
@@suziebuckrey7124lmao fr
She treated Kai horribly. He was a vacation project for her that failed, and she dropped it from her mind as easily as she dropped his necklace into the ocean and returned home to her privileged life.
I could honestly listen to Jack overanalyze the choices of books in tv shows all day tbh
You said honestly twice
Jack promised this to us on Twitter and I still can’t believe he compiled a list for this show. Standing Ovation 👏🏽
@@mahdiyarahman8577Happy to see you too!
Looks like he got the idea from the Slate article.
We studied The White Lotus in an English lit class and I literally wrote a short essay about the books in the show last week... Your timing could not be more perfect hahaha
Could I read your essay?
That sounds awesome! I could write an essay on how Ethan/harper’s story is literally the same storyline as ‘Eyes Wide Shut’
@@user-hc2tu7ul7j i would like to read that
‘The White Lotus’ feels like one of those Campy ‘80s Shows with great Island Mysteries.
Also, the receptionist and Resort Manager in both seasons are absolutely iconic.
loved the receptionist in the second season, when she called tanya Peppa pig that honestly had me on the floor dying
they arent receptionists they are the resort managers
@@tasneem2013 and it was as libbed! and the actor was surprised it made it in cause she said Jennifer burst out laughing.
Hi, would it be possible to make a video about all the books you recommend but sorted by reading level? Because I want to get into reading but I feel like I’m starting with higher level books and i need to start before that
It feels more like how Shakespearean plays are structured but with a modern twist. Tragedies with elements of comedy throughout the episodes. Multiple character plots that give social commentary etc..
8:39 Shane and Rachel not relaxing at the same time is a very interesting way to show that they’re not compatible. I like that quite a bit!
Olivia and Paula is probably my favorite duo from both seasons. They are exactly the same but different at the same time, Olivia has empathy for every one that is "below" her, but she doesn't have any empathy with her brother or father (feeling bad because his father lied to him his whole life is not being homophobic), Paula has empathy for Kai because she sees him as "equal" but in reality she is way closer to Olivia's life than Kai's, and she has no empathy or respect for Olivia even though they are friends... Paula could have stolen the bracelet but she didn't see herself as a 'criminal', but Kai she saw as someone who had "nothing to lose" but in reality he is the one who lost everything. I also love when Harper said to Ethan "We are the exotic friends" because even though they are both rich now, they still don't "belong" in the same place as the white rich people like Daphne and Cam do, that became very explicit when Cam and Daphne said they sleep well because "there's nothing to worry about".
I don't personally think Olivia is empathetic, I think she tries too hard to understand those "below" her but still misses. It could be as a result from all the books she reads, but not because she's naturally inclined to help or feel for others. Paula, on the other hand, is empathic because she feels closer to Kai's background, but not because she's a natural sympathizer. I don't know man, I just feel like both try so hard to show understanding of the world but still miss terribly. At least they tried 😂
@@vmateo2842 I agree, and that's why they are so interesting, you almost can feel the vibes changing between them, both actress are so good at it it's amazing
Isn't Harper white?
@@the-doubting-thomas62 she's puerto rican
I don't think Daphne is anywhere near superficial. She offered some of the best pearls of wisdom from the entire show, in the last episode with Ethan. It proves that she has great emotional intelligence but doesn't feel a need to rub it on everyone's face like Harper, who actually is superficially intelligent and vague and just tries too hard.
oh she definitely has emotional intelligence but i think she actively decides to find pleasure in superficial things
@@jack_edwards YES
I totally agree!
I think Daphne has multiple sides, and her entire character arch is us going from thinking she’s just a ditsy housewife to coming to the realization that she’s hyper-aware situation she’s in and has just adapted to it to survive. I think she’s a chameleon, someone who plays dumb to get by and prioritizes her family over herself. I don’t even think the book belonged to Cameron. It probably belonged to his Daphne which implies that although shes a Vanity Fair girl on the outside, she’s intelligent on the inside.
Hard Disagree. She is very superficial, but that does not mean she is not intelligent. She has found a way to deal with her husbands cheating and is very successfully preserving her high-status marriage and wealthy lifestyle. Those are objectively superficial priorities, but she's achieving them by being adaptive and intelligent.
I love when a character and their intentions are clearly displayed just through the books they read!
you can tell the writers really paid attention to the character creation + development, which makes me love the show even more
@@jack_edwards I had no intentions in watching it, but I've heard too much about it to ignore at this point.
i love how dramatic and introspective this show is an it’s so freaking JUICY 😩 i love that so much for me
This came at the perfect time! I just finished season two and forced my mom to watch it so we can discuss 😂 I didn't even realise there was this much symbolism in it 🤯 Thank you Jack!
I love love LOVED this show. Symbolisms are everywhere and I loved your take on Olivia and Paula's parallelism. But I also noticed that both Olivia from S1, and Cameron from S2, had an issue with their supposed friends when it came to dating or having someone. For example, Paula mentioned that Olivia stole her ex and always wanted whoever she was interested in. Ethan mentioned something about Mimetic Desire which means is the subconscious need to pursue someone's goals, or romantic interests in this case. I found it very interesting how both Paula and Ethan weren't white privileged people, but they were both mixed race and smarter than their so-called friends.
Puahahahahaha stupid
It was mimetic desire** 😀
@@thegreengatsby9803 Ah, thank you!
Yes, I think Mimetic Desire is a key theme driving the plots
Also that both Olivia and Cam had some weird homoerotic feelings towards their friend. It’s like they want them but settle for the next best thing, which is their partners/love interests.
ALSO
When Cameron emerges from the room this can also play with the compatibility motif! Ethan sees Cameron read and it may be a symbolism on his growing fear that Harper and Cameron may be compatible
oooh love this!
I think this might be my favourite video ever. Books and White Lotus - yes please!
Omg this is such a fun video concept! I feel like you really pointed out how clever media can be at storytelling through all the small details!
Jack's honestly got some of the best video ideas!
Re: Olivia & Paula reading a different book every time, there’s also a decent chance that they are being assigned a chapter or essay from each book for a survey college class.
I finished watching s2 today and instantly came to watch this video. You never disappoint!
TWL is one of my favorite shows and i was also super curious about the books featured in it so i’m so excited that you’re talking about them!! another thing to note regarding paula and olivia is that while both of them read books with themes like colonialism, performativity & class, olivia may have had different motivations with them. paula reads them because she’s a WOC probably genuinely interested in knowing how colonialism & class differences affected people like her through history, and how to combat them. but olivia is the only member of her family who even *seems* to care about being socially and culturally aware - there’s a theory that she did want to be educated on such matters, but when it came down to it, she was still just as careless as the rest of her family. it’s possible that she’s only concerned about such themes as long as they aren’t a threat to her social/financial status (a good example would be when her dad mentioned her liking her family’s money, and her having no comeback to that because she does, and she’s no better than them just because she has a degree of self awareness)
Such astute observations, Jack! I thoroughly enjoyed your analysis of not only the use of literature in the White Lotus, but the wider implications of the characters’ arcs throughout the show.
This is one of the best video essays I’ve ever seen. I love it. You beautifully captured so much depth from the show. Bravo!
yesss I'm so happy to hear your analysis of Olivia and Paula's books! I have run into this in both "Decolonial" and "Spiritual" spaces- people who read a lot of books but have no experience of these things. So they know all the jargon, they quote the right people, they will bring up a book and scoff at you if you haven't read it, but haven't embodied any of the content. that's why they will pick fights with you about the ideas they want to uphold but not act on the values.
I have a friend, I met them in a rural village in West Africa. They have spent the last 15 years riding their bicycle around the world. the amount of embodied knowledge about existing outside of overarching systems is extraordinary. but she has not read any of the books, she doesn't have the framework to think about what she has witnessed/experienced/felt in a decolonial context. she has soooooooo much information and taught me a lot about both the cultures she has visited and her experience in them (esp as a person who looks gender ambiguous). She's kind and gracious and treats people with respect, and sometimes shared what she witnessed through the lens of her nation's values without understanding the bigger picture of how these people got this way.
I think I am half half. I have a B.Ed in Humanities and Indigenous Studies. I have been to nearly 40 countries, often going "off the beaten path" or at least spending most of my time listening to people. I have experienced and adjusted to African Time and back-ish, I have spent time with people who are not influenced directly by the USA at all. People who practice older religions, people who have lived their whole lives in war, etc etc etc. so I am blessed with both the framework and the experience to hopefully speak and act/move in ways that are in alignment.
However, I often encounter the bookies and they dismiss my experiences if I can't quote the right books or know all the niche jargon/theology. but whatever they explain I have usually considered and experienced.
very reading about meditating versus meditating.
Plaza was the MVP of that show. Didn’t watch season 1 but this breakdown is brilliant. Down to how the characters connect or aren’t on the same page with their dynamic. 👏🏾
As someone who purposefully only watch white lotus s2 because Plaza was in it, I agree
every single fucking actor was AMAZING
dapne was so so so good
@@nternetrat fahey did amazing as Daphne. I suggest you watch the bold type. Meghann is underrated.
@@PlaceForAnEcho noted, thank you :)
@@nternetrat you bet. Great show. Didn’t get enough attention but well written & great acting.
I think a lot about the relationship between Olivia and Pola, it is funny how they can talk hours about social issues, and have smart critiques but struggle with lack of confidence on each other.
I don't know how else to say this but I really appreciate the thought and effort you put into all of your reviews. This video shows just how much you care about what you do - it's a brilliant over analysis. The intellectual in me is buzzing. Also you made me want to watch the show now. Please do keep making these and reminding me of why I love reading so much 😊
The White Lotus is literally so good I’m crying its over
you and me both.... and because of THAT season 2 ending
JACK OH MY GOD you are constantly giving me exactly what I need
this is what we LOVE to hear
Hey Jack :) I’m sort of a rookie in the whole reading thing just because Im 22 and only really started to like the hobby around a year ago, and I just wanna say your channel has given me such an awesome way to engage in the space. So thank you for that
I think my brilliant friend is more symbolic in its storyline that it is given credit for. The book is the first in a series which is largely about patriarchy and the role women are meant to play in relationships. Many aspects of Rachel’s journey mimic the books, specifically the later ones, which is why I think it wasn’t discussed as much as it’s not as apparent in the first book. Rachel reading the first book to me symbolizes how much she doesn’t know and learns throughout the story.
It’s a lot more well written than people give it credit for.
I love the my brilliant friend series. I jokingly call it the “men are trash” novels 😂. I’ve had to take a hiatus though because sometimes the subjects hit way too close to home as a woman.
@@rai2423it is! I do not see it get hyped up on booktok/book tube as much as it should be. Sometimes people don’t want to read it because (to quote a tiktok I saw) the cover looks like white lady Christian novel. Plus any media associated with women’s experiences are automatically devalued by society anyways. 😢
When you said the girls mirrored each other when they were reading, I immediately thought of Lacan's mirror stage and bam a scene where one of them was reading theories of colonialism and the other Ecrits by Lacan :) One can also speculate that, because the mirror stage theory is about coming to terms with a distinction between the self and the other, and also remembering that Fanon's books (read previously by the girls) dealt with how the Black subject was unconsciously coerced to see herself in the image of the White, the girls' evolving relationship with each other and their separate self realizations were also mirrored in the books they were reading.
I wasnt sure how much u could talk about the books in the show when I clicked on this video but omg this is an absolute banger
Honestly, this video convinced me I need to watch this show. I've seen bits of it here and there, but now I'm invested
from the memes alone, you have to watch this show!!
Jack, you’re really helping out with the mental health today TWO UPLOADS YES THANK YOU 🥳🫶🏼
Very insightful, thanks!
when i finished the first season a couple months ago i went to youtube to see if you had made a video like "reading all the books in the white lotus" bc i couldn't stop noticing all the different titles throughout the episodes so god i enjoyed this so much
So I don’t think Tanya and Daphne are actually shallow at all. Well Tanya is pretty aloof. But I think both of them have been through so much sh*t that they avoid thinking too deeply about things. But Daphne shows she’s far from dumb. Tanya had a really rough childhood we know from the first season. And Daphne has had to shut off emotionally being in a relationship with such a narcissist. Who knows what Daphnes childhood was like if Cameron is the person she was most comfortable with. I think they are “superficial” cuz thinking deeply is too painful for both of them. So they’d rather keep things more fun and surface level.
Thank you for this video, I loved it! Just like you, I felt a sense of mourning after finishing season 2.
I do agree with Cynical Duchess though on how you're considering the girls as the only characters capable of empathy: it makes me realize that they are capable of intellectual empathy, they are able to understand thanks to their readings and personal views many aspects that are wrong within society (misoginy, the oppression of native people...). Yet, they are the embodiment of self-centered characters : Paula develops empathy with Kai because of their relationship, and Olivia isn't capable of empathy towards anyone. Both of them are even bullying Quinn to the extent that he has to sleep on the beach. So although they are "documenting" empathy for themselves, the only person who actually experiences it, changes his view on the world and creates real, emotional connections is ... Quinn. His character is the most fascinating to me: his journey is purely personal, but it's far more powerful than the girls' intellectual one.
I wonder if Cameron showing his book is a way to signal to Ethan that he's become smarter because of Harper, as a nod back to the mimetic desire speech at the wine tasting 🤭
This was so in-depth and brilliant! Made me actually miss my English lit lectures in college.
this might be my favorite video of you yet!! So here for you analyzing and interpreting everything book-related in the series. It actually made the whole show and dynamics even more interesting to me in hindsight. Please, more of that!
Thank you for putting this list together! I actually just googled this the other day to see if I could find a complete list and had no luck. 🥰
three days ago i watched season 1 and after maybe half an hour into the show I was thinking "JACK EDWARDS NEEDS TO DO A VIDEO ON THIS SHOW" and there you go I manifested it. This whole symbolism makes this show even more brilliant I love it
i was WAITING for someone to make a video about books on this series. Thank you for your insights
Jack is seriously spoiling us with all these videos!! :D
omg u really did the work for this one !! i haven’t even watched the show but it was so interesting
WHAT! Omg, just what I need. I’m still reeling from the finale
I’m glad you brought this up because I just rewatched both seasons again and I cracked up when the scene just shows Shane reading Blink… it’s just frickin hilarious for him 😂
Well done Jack. You did this fantastic show justice with your book analysis. Loved it!
Never watched because I'm not one for shows but I absolutely love symbolism like this so I'm super excited!!
this is pure GOLD! i love this analysis so much
literally half way through the first episode when you posted this !
it's a sign!!!
I mean I just love this channel man. This is my comfort channel ❤. was actually wondering about the books and trying to catch them while watching the series and here you are!
I love shows like this that are soo meticulous with their story-telling and symbolism
I could listen to you analysing and digging into every little detail and hidden meaning in this show. You hold my very fragile attention better than any teacher i’ve every had - perhaps that was out of pocket but you get it😅i really love these types of videos, thank you jack. ♥️
White Lotus is my guilty pleasure. Thanks for allowing me to see this show in a deeper and more meaningful way.
the show is very meaningful, shouldnt be a 'guilty' pleasure
@@Depp-ew9sp exactly. “Guilty pleasure” implies that it has no redeeming lasting value, which couldn’t be further from the truth.
glee is a guilty pleasure, this is good media lol
Omg first video since I became a member! This video seems so cool I love it
me too!
The s1 theme tune is definitely gonna be in my wrapped. especially because it's so easy to play on loop since it's only a minute long. I've alr played it over 20 times (I watched the show last week)
Just finished season 2 episode 6 and saving the finale for tomorrow. What a wicked show.
Whoever did the sounds/ picked the soundtrack is an absolute genius
I was very curious about all of the books in the first season, I really wanted to know what significance they had in the story. I kept hoping Jack or another booktuber would make a video about it. Good work on this one old chap, well done!
This video literally made my day! Im a little sick and their honesty made me feel better :)
get well soon!!! 🤍
@@jack_edwards Thank you Jack:))
This was such a good video, good job, J!
Great episode. I loved watching WL and your commentary on the books and characters is brilliant.
Once I saw the two college students reading Nietzsche and Freud whilst on holiday. I was like, wait a minute…
The music really is incredible imo, and I couldn't imagine the show without it. My favourite 'song' so far is when Quinn is in the ocean and you're washed over with the sound of a (I'm guessing Hawaiin) choir - it's stunning.
can we get more of these videos PLEASE i loved this so much
I'm late to this video because I had to go watch both seasons of White Lotus first before watching this but I'm here now; and that's all I'm going to say about how much I love your videos.
Note: the book Cameron picks up from his room is "Gone Bamboo" by Anthony Bourdain. Thanks for the video!
I'm so glad you made this video, I was pretty impressed when I saw Paula reading Fanon and wondered if anyone else had picked up on it.
I needed this video! I was gonna ask for it but seems like Jack has already delivered! 😊❤
I love these kinds of videos
You missed the reference to Gogol which tipped off Mark's situation a bit. It could of been a reference to the Nose (ie something physical changes and takes over that person's concerns), but could also hint that something completely unexpected or absurd would completely throw his life off course, which is what happened a few times in the series.
I guess this is the point when I confess that I watched the White Lotus partly because I wanted to watch and understand this video 🤦♀
This is exactly what I've been looking for when I finished this series! Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Will definitely rewatch this video until season 3 comes back 😍
this video is chefs kiss after finishing the first season! will come back and watch the rest after finishing the second
THIS WAS AMAZING. ONE OF MY FAVORITE WHITE LOTUS ANALYSIS BY FARR
wow so many things I didn’t pick up on relating to books! obsessed with this video and all your thoughts!
wow what an in-depth analysis!
Thank you so much for this! I thought the books had some hidden meanings as well, I appreciate you diving deep on it!
Thank you so much for doing this. I was so sure that the books meant something fundamental.
I just finished watching the white lotus last weekend and I was WAITING for a video like this. Perfect timing Jack 😭
What a great analysis! I noticed the books, especially in season 1...but I didn't get all the references. Also, I love your T-Shirt ;)
I usually never comment under any video BUT this video is exactly what I needed today. Thank you 😭😭
Jacks spoiling us sm recently Omg- HE FR UPLOADING EVERY DAY DAMN
i was hoping someone would do a breadown of this!! Absolutely brilliant.. cant wait for the season three breakdown!
this analysis was so genius! loved it
such a good analysis!! you videos are getting better and better.
I liked the video! But just one little thing. I don’t think Daphne is superficial. I think she just plays the part and that she’s a survivor.
Very good observation and analysis Jack!! Based on what i heard from Mike White in his interviews that the next season could be set in Asia, I have a feeling that the next season will be either 1. White Lotus India or 2. White Lotus Thailand or 3. White Lotus Indonesia. He's already been to India as part of the Amazing Race so I'm hoping that it be India :)
If it's Thailand I feel like that's a big reason to keep following Greg's arc, who will have inherited Tanya's fortune and lost his love. Doesn't he look like Bogart?
I hope they go with less known cities/destinations.
Ah, Phuket could definitely be the place for s3! I was thinking it could be either Maldives/Bali (Indonesia)/Okinawa (Japan) and totally forget about Phuket
This has got to be your best video to date, I loved it!! 🤍🤍🤍
If you ever write anything related to the White Lotus, please let us read it 🙏🏼🙏🏼
Well now I'm gonna be paying attention to characters reading preferences in season 3 😎 great video
I laughed out loud when you flashed the other Jack's photo 🤣
Love this video so much! ❤
“Name a more iconic duo than Lucia and Mia” hahahahaha so true.
This show is truly incredible and I love it so much! Especially s2! Also the intro music to s2 is added to my library 😂
Amazing analysis, thank you Jack! I agree the books shown to us cannot be incidental, and I agree both with people saying Daphne is not actually superficial and with you since you explained very well that this is kind of her choice. I love pondering on the details in series and movies I watch, so thanks again for this video!
Yaasss I’ve been waiting for someone to make this video!
I was JUST trying to think about this. Great little dive into this. I loved it!!