essay on the hero journey in star wars
Extract
Long long ago in a galaxy not so far away George Lucas studied folklore and myth and made movie history. The trilogy's screenplay is based on Mythologist Joseph Campbell's Hero with a Thousand Faces, itself a publishing phenomenon outlining the hero journey. Psychologist and author Dr. Jonathan Young assisted Joseph Campbell for many years and later became the Founding Curator of the Joseph Campbell Archives and Library in Santa Barbara.
The classic story of myth, as portrayed in movies begins in everyday life... Movies begin with a regular person and the situation begins as mundane. The familiar everyday circumstances let the movie audience know extraordinary things can happen in ordinary everyday lives. Tragedy often sets the story in motion. This is the summons, the call to adventure, the quest, an inner calling. The devastation of Luke Skywalker's home. It draws us into the engagement. In our everyday lives it might be the death of a parent, a divorce, a devastating illness, or a financial disaster.
The Hero is joined by allies. Are the allies mentors?
Sometimes. They can take many forms; an old teacher, a wise old enchantress, a mysterious old magician, a strange creature like Yoda. Sometimes, friendly animals in a story showing that wisdom comes from nature. This guiding figure is more than an actual character. This is a representation of an energy or spirit. Jungian psychology talks of this.In the final confrontation, where Darth Vader tempts Luke to the dark side...
Corrupt characters seem to imagine there is more power in the way they are using it. Pure selfishness, without any struggle with conscience, gives the illusion of greater power. Just because someone avoids struggling with conscience, or the concern for other people, or fairness, or ethics, does not mean these issues go away. The denied elements always return to present their demands.
What is the end result of the quest?
The heroic man or woman, having done that which seemed impossible, has returned with a level of integration. To accomplish this enormous task we must have all of the best attributes of both genders, be aligned with the forces of nature, and have the best of allies. At the end there is a big celebration. The sense of fulfillment is extraordinary at that point. Such people have amazing energy. The force is truly with them.More Star Wars Articles
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