The Tragic hero in this story is Darth Vader. Although, he may seem very evil in the episodes, he was once good. The reason he turned evil was because he wanted more freedom and power. This meant that he had to turn to the dark side to receive this.
A belief in his own freedom: this was when he wanted to be free and do so by turning evil. He faced many things that he had to accept because of the choice he made to turn. Like, Leia's death and turning against friends.
A supreme pride : He was very arrogant and full of pride by wanting to have all the ultimate power and to rule over all. He wanted to be better than the rest, but that was the wrong thing.
Capacity for Suffering: He did suffer because of his choices and actions. When he became Vader he had to give up a lot, but he did so so he could gain power. He had to give up his best friend and felt guilt over Leia's death. Later he shows that he has forgotten a the past because of his stubborn decision. Still though he could change his decision at any moment, but does not.
A sense of commitment: He was fully committed to the dark side. He wanted all of it, but he couldn't have it all without some sacrifices. He did not care what the sacrifices may be.
Vigorous Protest: He would say that he was right. His decision was the right choice, but he was only hurting himself and others by doing so.
Transfiguration: At the end of episode III Luke is pressing Vader to come back and realize that he is his father, but he is not listening. He finally starts coming back around and saves Luke from the emperor and kills the emperor. Vader finally came back to the realization that he needed to turn back the the good side.
Impact: This change to the dark side not only impacted Vader, but also his loved ones and friends. Luke knew there was good in him and he wanted to change him back. Luke found he was right although it took a while he finally came around and changed back.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Hero Qualities and Theme Possibilities
Hero Qualities:
A hero would be someone with courage, bravery, knowledge, leadership, dedication, who is self-less, is a representative of society, and is a religious or god-directed person. They would be the type of person to give (sacrifice) their life for another. Also, a hero is not only one of these qualities, but can also be one who shows their heroics through maturity. Like, Luke showed that he was a hero not only because he blew up the space station, but also because he realized his strength psychologically through believing in the force and its good through his teachings.
Theme Possibilities:
Good vs. Evil is the main theme of this story. Obviously, there is that struggle there between the dark side of the force and the good. That shows, like many stories, that there is always that conflict of characters and need for it due to clashing views (just like in reality we have our set of many clashing views). The theme that the bad guy wants to take over the world. Darth Vader wants power and although power is one of our psychological needs, one does not need the power Anikan/Vader yearned for. Also, the theme of love. In Starwars there is the brother-sister love, affection love, love for country, father-son love, and others. Luke and Leia had the brother-sister love. Affection love was shown in episode III. Anikan wanted that power (even though it was the wrong power) for his love, Padme Amidala. Even when he became Darth Vader he still showed his love for her. He did so when one of the first things he said was where is Padme? Is she okay? Another is love of country was a little different because they did not exactly live in a country. They had love of their homes and the place where their homes were. Also, a big one was father-son love. It took Vader a while to realize and come back to knowing Luke was his son, but once he did there was only love shown. Luke knew all along that there was good in him and I believe that it was the love that they and Leia still had in their hearts that brought him to realize and come back to the good side.
A hero would be someone with courage, bravery, knowledge, leadership, dedication, who is self-less, is a representative of society, and is a religious or god-directed person. They would be the type of person to give (sacrifice) their life for another. Also, a hero is not only one of these qualities, but can also be one who shows their heroics through maturity. Like, Luke showed that he was a hero not only because he blew up the space station, but also because he realized his strength psychologically through believing in the force and its good through his teachings.
Theme Possibilities:
Good vs. Evil is the main theme of this story. Obviously, there is that struggle there between the dark side of the force and the good. That shows, like many stories, that there is always that conflict of characters and need for it due to clashing views (just like in reality we have our set of many clashing views). The theme that the bad guy wants to take over the world. Darth Vader wants power and although power is one of our psychological needs, one does not need the power Anikan/Vader yearned for. Also, the theme of love. In Starwars there is the brother-sister love, affection love, love for country, father-son love, and others. Luke and Leia had the brother-sister love. Affection love was shown in episode III. Anikan wanted that power (even though it was the wrong power) for his love, Padme Amidala. Even when he became Darth Vader he still showed his love for her. He did so when one of the first things he said was where is Padme? Is she okay? Another is love of country was a little different because they did not exactly live in a country. They had love of their homes and the place where their homes were. Also, a big one was father-son love. It took Vader a while to realize and come back to knowing Luke was his son, but once he did there was only love shown. Luke knew all along that there was good in him and I believe that it was the love that they and Leia still had in their hearts that brought him to realize and come back to the good side.
Starwars Analysis
Cycle of the Hero
Call To Adventure: When Luke has to go looking for R2-D2 he runs into a mysterious man who scares off the sand people. He finds out that the man is Ben Kenobi. Luke had been wanting to meet Ben to ask him if he knew Obi Wan Kenobi. When he asked him if he knew of this so-called Obi Wan he was informed that Ben was Obi Wan. Obi Wan tells him a little about his past and how his father was a great Jedi and he was to be one too. Luke then uses a light saber for the first time. Obi Wan immediately wants him to go to Elderan to help him because that is what his destiny is, but Luke refuses. He said that he had family here and chores to tend to. When they get back to Luke's house they see that it has been blown up and his aunt and uncle have been killed along with it. There was nothing left for him now so he was then convinced to go with Obi Wan.
Helpers: R2-D2, C-3PO, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Obi Wan
Threshold of Adventure: After Luke, Obi Wan, C-3PO, and R2-D2 leave Luke's home they end up going to a bar in need of a ship. They find Han Solo and Chewbacca there, and they decide that they will pilot and allow them to use their ship for a price. The storm troopers find them there and begin to attack so they had to boarded the ship and left.
Tests: They get away from the storm troopers after they left the bar, but find themselves being pulled into a huge space station and cannot get away. This results in them having to stay in the smuggler's hatch in order to stay safe and not be found. Another test is when they have to rescue Princess Leia. This was difficult in that they had to get around all sorts of "security" without being noticed. After they release Leia they have to then get back to the ship. To do this they jumped down a garbage shute to get away from storm troopers and ended up almost becoming crushed by its walls. They struggle through these things and get back to the ship where Luke sees that Obi Wan and Darth Vader are fighting. Obi Wan gains eye contact with Luke and basically sacrifices himself. This, though, seems to teach Luke one of the most important things. After they board the ship they have to blow up the station. Luke and many others are involved in this and need to shoot a certain part in order for it to work. Luke's fellow men all die and he is left there fighting himself with Darth Vader right behind him. Just when it seems it may be the end Han Solo shows up just in time. Han Solo gets Vader away so Luke can blow up the station. Also, in the end there is the struggle between Luke and the Emperor and Vader. Vader kills the emperor and Vader also ends up dying. But before he died he came to realize that the good in him was stronger and he turned back to the good.
Hero's Triumph: This would be when they are trying to save Leia. Once they release Leia from her cell the find that there are many things in their way like the troopers shooting, the near death in garbage shoot, the death of Obi Wan, and getting away from the space station. This overall success is the triumph.
Flight of the Hero: This occurs when Luke and others are attempting to blow up the space station. Luke finds himself alone when all his fellow men die. He was near death with Vader right behind him, but he hears Obi Wans teachings in his head and realizes that he needs to let go of his previous being and know that the force is with him. This makes him realize that the force will always guide him through.
Threshold Struggle: Luke has a goal of destroying this space station but on thing is standing in his way: Darth Vader (as usual, the dark side). Vader gets close, but not close enough before Han Solo shows up to save him. He gets Vader aways giving Luke the shot he needs and indeed he reached that goal.
Elixir: Doesn't quite exist in this story unless you include the receiving of medals in his honor.
Literary Archetypes
Hero: Apparently Luke happens to be the hero in this story. He does have many hero qualities like, courage, leadership, and knowledge. Yes, he also did heroic things like saving Leia and blowing up the space station, but he also shows that he is a hero through coming to realize his true self and feeling the force. He became a Jedi, independent, and he found that he had to let go and follow the force within him through what Obi Wan had taught him.
Antihero:This could be thought to be Han Solo because he does do the right thing for the wrong reasons. Yes, he does do the right thing through this story, but he does it for money, or later on, for love. Also, he does not believe in the force.
Wise Fool: Obi Wan definitely was wise, but he did in episode III still want Anikan to be good even though he was turning to evil. He wanted his best friend back and wanted to trust him, but he shouldn't have because the force of the dark side was too strong in him. Obi Wan later did show his teachings to Anikan's son too leading him to the good side and he stayed on the good side even when tempted.
The Devil Figure: Anikan (Vader) has truly turned to the dark or evil side. He has almost no memory of his good side because he has chosen to put it past him. He cares of nothing that happens to his son or others because the force is so strong in him. Almost as if he has no emotional ties to anything anymore because of the evil within him.
The Outcast: C-3PO is treated as an outcast in this story. He isn't not accepted, but he isn't fully accepted by all either. He is different from the rest and very, but is very much involved and needed with his humor and "debby-downer-ness" in the story.
The Double: Anikan/Darth Vader would be the double. Anikan became Vader when he decided to turn to the dark side. The movie does a good job showing his struggle and his loved ones' struggles when Anikan has turned to this other person. Although he is in fact evil Luke still believed that there was good in him. Luke was right. Vader came to realize who he was before and who he had become at the end. He found his inner good and I believe turned back.
The Scapegoat: Obi Wan was seen as the scapegoat because he in a way sacrificed himself to Darth Vader when he went up against evil and gave his life. This taught Luke an important lesson that he needed, to realize the true meaning of the force and the good and dark side.
The Temptress: In this situation the temptress was not a woman or seducing figure, but the Emperor. He was trying to show Anikan (episode III) and Luke (episode VI) by tempting them with power. He tried to show them that the dark side was more powerful than the good and that with the force and the dark side they could have all the power they could ever dream. Anikan caved in, but Luke was not so easily tempted. Luke saw what he was doing and stuck to his instinct.
The Good Mother: This person is said to be seen as a creative force, providing strength and guidance for those she comes across. I see Leia as this figure. She is a loving person, but at the same time I believe she could take on any of the other guys with her light saber in hand. She has something about her that is just as inviting as intense (as in she is fierce and not somebody you would want to mess with).
Call To Adventure: When Luke has to go looking for R2-D2 he runs into a mysterious man who scares off the sand people. He finds out that the man is Ben Kenobi. Luke had been wanting to meet Ben to ask him if he knew Obi Wan Kenobi. When he asked him if he knew of this so-called Obi Wan he was informed that Ben was Obi Wan. Obi Wan tells him a little about his past and how his father was a great Jedi and he was to be one too. Luke then uses a light saber for the first time. Obi Wan immediately wants him to go to Elderan to help him because that is what his destiny is, but Luke refuses. He said that he had family here and chores to tend to. When they get back to Luke's house they see that it has been blown up and his aunt and uncle have been killed along with it. There was nothing left for him now so he was then convinced to go with Obi Wan.
Helpers: R2-D2, C-3PO, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Obi Wan
Threshold of Adventure: After Luke, Obi Wan, C-3PO, and R2-D2 leave Luke's home they end up going to a bar in need of a ship. They find Han Solo and Chewbacca there, and they decide that they will pilot and allow them to use their ship for a price. The storm troopers find them there and begin to attack so they had to boarded the ship and left.
Tests: They get away from the storm troopers after they left the bar, but find themselves being pulled into a huge space station and cannot get away. This results in them having to stay in the smuggler's hatch in order to stay safe and not be found. Another test is when they have to rescue Princess Leia. This was difficult in that they had to get around all sorts of "security" without being noticed. After they release Leia they have to then get back to the ship. To do this they jumped down a garbage shute to get away from storm troopers and ended up almost becoming crushed by its walls. They struggle through these things and get back to the ship where Luke sees that Obi Wan and Darth Vader are fighting. Obi Wan gains eye contact with Luke and basically sacrifices himself. This, though, seems to teach Luke one of the most important things. After they board the ship they have to blow up the station. Luke and many others are involved in this and need to shoot a certain part in order for it to work. Luke's fellow men all die and he is left there fighting himself with Darth Vader right behind him. Just when it seems it may be the end Han Solo shows up just in time. Han Solo gets Vader away so Luke can blow up the station. Also, in the end there is the struggle between Luke and the Emperor and Vader. Vader kills the emperor and Vader also ends up dying. But before he died he came to realize that the good in him was stronger and he turned back to the good.
Hero's Triumph: This would be when they are trying to save Leia. Once they release Leia from her cell the find that there are many things in their way like the troopers shooting, the near death in garbage shoot, the death of Obi Wan, and getting away from the space station. This overall success is the triumph.
Flight of the Hero: This occurs when Luke and others are attempting to blow up the space station. Luke finds himself alone when all his fellow men die. He was near death with Vader right behind him, but he hears Obi Wans teachings in his head and realizes that he needs to let go of his previous being and know that the force is with him. This makes him realize that the force will always guide him through.
Threshold Struggle: Luke has a goal of destroying this space station but on thing is standing in his way: Darth Vader (as usual, the dark side). Vader gets close, but not close enough before Han Solo shows up to save him. He gets Vader aways giving Luke the shot he needs and indeed he reached that goal.
Elixir: Doesn't quite exist in this story unless you include the receiving of medals in his honor.
Literary Archetypes
Hero: Apparently Luke happens to be the hero in this story. He does have many hero qualities like, courage, leadership, and knowledge. Yes, he also did heroic things like saving Leia and blowing up the space station, but he also shows that he is a hero through coming to realize his true self and feeling the force. He became a Jedi, independent, and he found that he had to let go and follow the force within him through what Obi Wan had taught him.
Antihero:This could be thought to be Han Solo because he does do the right thing for the wrong reasons. Yes, he does do the right thing through this story, but he does it for money, or later on, for love. Also, he does not believe in the force.
Wise Fool: Obi Wan definitely was wise, but he did in episode III still want Anikan to be good even though he was turning to evil. He wanted his best friend back and wanted to trust him, but he shouldn't have because the force of the dark side was too strong in him. Obi Wan later did show his teachings to Anikan's son too leading him to the good side and he stayed on the good side even when tempted.
The Devil Figure: Anikan (Vader) has truly turned to the dark or evil side. He has almost no memory of his good side because he has chosen to put it past him. He cares of nothing that happens to his son or others because the force is so strong in him. Almost as if he has no emotional ties to anything anymore because of the evil within him.
The Outcast: C-3PO is treated as an outcast in this story. He isn't not accepted, but he isn't fully accepted by all either. He is different from the rest and very, but is very much involved and needed with his humor and "debby-downer-ness" in the story.
The Double: Anikan/Darth Vader would be the double. Anikan became Vader when he decided to turn to the dark side. The movie does a good job showing his struggle and his loved ones' struggles when Anikan has turned to this other person. Although he is in fact evil Luke still believed that there was good in him. Luke was right. Vader came to realize who he was before and who he had become at the end. He found his inner good and I believe turned back.
The Scapegoat: Obi Wan was seen as the scapegoat because he in a way sacrificed himself to Darth Vader when he went up against evil and gave his life. This taught Luke an important lesson that he needed, to realize the true meaning of the force and the good and dark side.
The Temptress: In this situation the temptress was not a woman or seducing figure, but the Emperor. He was trying to show Anikan (episode III) and Luke (episode VI) by tempting them with power. He tried to show them that the dark side was more powerful than the good and that with the force and the dark side they could have all the power they could ever dream. Anikan caved in, but Luke was not so easily tempted. Luke saw what he was doing and stuck to his instinct.
The Good Mother: This person is said to be seen as a creative force, providing strength and guidance for those she comes across. I see Leia as this figure. She is a loving person, but at the same time I believe she could take on any of the other guys with her light saber in hand. She has something about her that is just as inviting as intense (as in she is fierce and not somebody you would want to mess with).
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