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The Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope is a popular, interesting and entertaining science fiction film. Its popularity even to this day can be attributed to how the makers of the film portrayed the mythic characters, especially of Luke Skywalker who is the main hero in the epic story. For one, the Star Wars (1977) was considered as a groundbreaking movie, and much of its success can be credited to how George Lucas introduced Luke, his family background and ultimately the events that leads him to take the central role in the story. Just like most movie heroes, Luke was depicted as an innocent young man who would not otherwise know of his destiny until considerable episodes allows the viewer to get a feel of the genre of the film. Consequently, the flow of the story revolved around the different settings where Luke gets to know other characters that will help him build his abilities, as well as the conflicts that he and the other characters must face in the process.
The Back Story
Before the introduction of the main character, the filmmaker deemed it more appropriate to introduce the setting and other relevant events that acquaint the audience about what the movie is all about. In Star Wars, the director used a scroll to convey some information about the story, and this technique allows the viewer to understand that the setting of the story will be in outer space. Further, the viewers come to comprehend that there is a clash that is ongoing between good and evil, and it is in this setting that the main character will confront his battles. In the book entitled Screenwriting Secrets in Genre Films, the author pointed out that the first few events are the most important part of the movie, and this is the part where the audience is introduced to the characters. However, in the case of Star Wars, the director did not initially introduced the characters, but used the scroll to convey some information about the story. Conveying some information at the start of the film is important to show how these events are important in the development of the role of the main character. As Walker argued, the things that are happening at the start of the story has an important implication in the hero’s journey, and that “inciting incidents will be a direct cause of the pivotal event that will change the main character’s life forever”.
Introduction of the Main Character
The introduction of Luke Skywalker follows the typical introduction of heroes in most films, from an ordinary young man doing his normal chores when circumstances called him to be part of a mission for a noble cause. The conceptualization of the main hero in Star Wars was considered as common in movies that typically evolved around the life of a “young man called to adventure, the hero going out facing trials and ordeals, and coming back after victory with a boon for the community”. Luke was introduced as wanting of discipline and maturity, so that while he was a young man with big dreams and aspirations, his inexperience and situation demonstrated an incapable and powerless personality. It was when his encounter with the two androids, R2-D2 and C-3PO that changed his life forever. Just like other classic films of this genre, the director created a way for the main character to be pulled off from his usual routine to take bigger and more serious responsibilities. In this case, Luke had been yet reluctant to defy his uncle's wishes, but their death in the hands of the enemies prompted him to join the Force against the enemy.
Moreover, Luke’s innocence, which was demonstrated from his dialogues with other characters is helpful in allowing the audience to have a better grasp of the story. That is, the director used Luke’s naivety to explain the plot, setting and other circumstances in the film. The Star Wars is a science fiction that used terminologies that are otherwise unfamiliar to the audience. It is helpful that Luke was portrayed as naïve, and was new to out-of- this world ventures, because it allows the characters to enlighten the viewers about unfamiliar terms. For example, in the scene where Obi-Wan explained about the Jedi knight to Luke, the viewers are enlightened about who these groups and their roles in the story.
The Mentor’s Effort to Moving the Main Character to Change
In Screenwriting Secrets, the author pointed out how writers usually depict the transformation of the character into a wholly different individual through the prodding of a mentor. It is usually the role of the mentor to act as a positive influence to the hero by helping them develop their skills as well as instill encouraging values and ways of thinking. These positive influences motivated the hero to aspire for something better; for example, Obi Wan in Star Wars served as a mentor to Luke who eventually became a full pledge Jedi. Further, the Obi Wan became the protector of Luke and the others, while he guided them into the mythological series of adventure. In most films, the protagonists are usually unaware of the adventure they are going into until such time that they will encounter a turning point that will make them realize their calling. Luke was portrayed as an obedient young man to his aunt and uncle, thus, he was reluctant to leave the comfort of his home and his guardians care. His decision changed only with the enemy’s destruction of his home and the killing of his family. He then decided to join the Forces to help end these forms of atrocities.
The Monomyth
The transition of Luke from a young and naïve farmer to a capable and full pledge Force warrior demonstrate what screenwriters claim as monomyths. In Hero with a Thousand Faces, Campbell wrote, “ a hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won” George Lucas, the writer and director of the Star Wars was said to have taken inspiration in the works and writings of Campbell and this influence must be the reason why the main character in Star Wars was portrayed that way. In Campbell’s book, he pointed out that the effect of the hero’s success leads to the “unlocking and release again of the flow of life into the body of the world”. In the same way, Luke’s triumph in Star Wars meant the renewal of peace and hope in the kingdom.
In Joseph Campbell’s depiction of the monomyth, the hero is usually set to take a journey or adventure. Part of taking the challenges of these adventures include dutifully setting forth, which means leaving the comforts of home and warmth of the family. It is a journey is full of trials, threats and danger that the hero must pass through as he enters a verge a difficult and forbidden terrain. In the process, the hero must withstand the various tests that require cunning and gallantry. Most often than not, the hero was not alone in his fight as there are other characters that will support him in his struggle such as mythical folks who may offer some form of aid or assistance. Another essential part of the monomyth are the instances when the hero must fight his battles alone, and one of the means for him to win the fight is to choose good over evil.
In Star Wars, Luke sets forth on an adventure he never dreamed of, but was first reluctant at first because of his family. Losing them from the enemy ignited his drive to be part of a mission, despite not knowing about the consequences of his decisions. Just as what Joseph Campbel described in his The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Luke of Star Wars was helped by other characters such as his Obi Wan, who was his mentor, Princess Leia, Han Solo and Lando Calrissian. A closer examination reveals that the hero’s effort was meaningless without the support of the other characters. Further, the common mythical setting in the hero’s struggle is the need to choose from good and evil, and Luke decided to side with the good despite putting his life and that of his fathers in danger.
The Revelation
Another typical turn of events in most science fiction films is the revelations that can have a great impact on the emotion, character and ways of thinking of the protagonists. This is a further elucidation of Campbell’s ‘ monomyth’, where the hero is usually portrayed as struggling against certain forces, and there is a need for him to prove himself in the process. The Star Wars hero, in his life as an ordinary young man has dreams other than being a farm help to his uncle, and he has been struggling with the conflict of wanting to follow his dreams or to stay with the only family he has known. Another revelation that marked the turning point in Luke’s decision was in knowing that his father was killed by Vader, Obi Wan’s former student. His anger towards Vader escalated when the enemy killed Ben Kenobi, whom he considered as a second father to him.
Further, in the story, Luke learned that Vader was his father and knowing it devastated him. Obi Wan had told him the truth when he recounted that his father was killed by the enemy, as he meant that the older Skywalker was killed with his transformation into Vader’s character. Now, just like the common mythical characters, Luke was assisted by his sister and other friends in many of his battles, but he must face his fight with his father alone. Some of the reasons why he must fight his father was the need for him to save his sister Leia; also he believed that there is still some goodness in his father's heart and that he must convince him to leave the darkness empire. Luke triumph in his endeavor and was able to prove that good still prevail over evil. The hero’s journey was reflective of his development to a mature and responsible individual, and this may one of the reasons why his character is so popular among young audiences.
Conclusion
The Star Wars gained considerable popularity because of the manner by which the filmmakers directed the play. Specifically, the main character was portrayed according to the common characteristics that are typical of mythical heroes. While he was considered as the main character in the story, Luke was shown as a naïve young man. It was through the different trials in his life that he was able to develop the character that made him worthy for him to be called a Jedi warrior. His development took place when he was closely trained by Obi- Wan, but more so when he was left alone to decide and fight his battles alone. The key theme in this story is that the main character was able to proved that goodness will always prevail over evil.
References
Campbell, J. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. New World Library. 2008
Paparone, C. The Sociology of Military Science: Prospects for Postinstitutional Military Design. Bloomsberry Publishing. 2012
Shimamura, A. Experiencing Art: In the Brain of the Beholder. Oxford University Press. 2013
Walker, S. Screenwriting Secrets in Genre Film. The Fiction Works. 2012
