I believe that each castaway represents one of the seven deadly sins.
For this reason, they did not succeed in their several attempts to get off the island- leaving them to live out their existence in a society that was as primitive as can be .
(Yes they did eventually leave the Island, but that was a TV made movie)
Gluttony = Gilligan
Lust = Ginger
Greed = Mr. Howell
Sloth = Mrs. Howell
Envy = Mary Ann
Anger = The Skipper
Pride = The Professor
Sidebar:Â Did anyone ever think Ginger was better looking than Mary Ann?