Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Empire Strikes Back Blog
How and why did this segment of the trilogy stray from the typical Journey archetype? What was the main them that we saw in this movie? What story from our text can you connect it to? How does this segment of the journey normally work? How is this different? And lastly, WHY would the writer make it different? What tension is there as we await the third and final installment of the trilogy?
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This movie strayed from the typical journey archetype by how Luke chose to put his Jedi training (preparation) on hold to save his friends from death. Other than that, the movie basically follows the theme of withdrawing to prepare, since Luke finds the Jedi master Yoda and begins his training. It's similar to the story of Jesus, by how Jesus and Luke withdraw from society to prepare, and also how they are both tempted by evil (Jesus by the Devil and Luke by Lord Vader). Normally, this section just includes the hero withdrawing and preparing, and getting ready to endure his quests later on. In this movie's case, the hero puts a pause on preparing to go help his friends who are in danger. The writer may have made this different because it adds a theme of uncertainty about whether or not Luke is doing the right thing. The tension is surrounding whether or not Luke stopping his training will affect him negatively in the next movie.
ReplyDeleteThe main theme of the journey of the hero that we saw in this movie was the theme of the hero's withdrawal in order to prepare for his future destiny. This segment of the trilogy strayed from the traditional journey archetype through Luke's intentional interruption of his training to save his friends from almost certain death at the hands of Darth Vader. The reason for this diverging is so that the movie can stress Luke's heroism and loyalty to his friends through his disregard his training and Yoda/ Obi Wan's advice as well as the need for the audience to have a feeling of uncertainty as to whether or not Luke will eventually defeat the empire. In effect, we do not know for sire whether or not Luke will triumph over the Empire in the third installment. This movie is similar to the story of Percival and Gawain since Gawain trained and tutored Percival in order for him to fulfill his future destiny, much like how Yoda trained Luke to defeat the Vader and the empire. However, Star Wars is different since Luke fails to complete his training, and journeys to Coruscant to save his friends.
ReplyDeleteThis section of the trilogy strays from the typical journey because when the usual "hero" would stay and complete their training Luke decides to abandon his training to help his friends. Although the movie is the perfect example of withdraw for preparation Luke goes against the grain in the end and chooses not follow through immediately with his preparation. The most relevant relation one could make to any other story would be the one of Jesus and his trek through the wilderness. Both had been taken away from their respective homes and put into an unknown place to attempt to achieve some expected glory. Both went through some type of temptation whether it be from Satan of Lord Vader. The only difference is that Luke put his training on pause to save his friends. I think the writer of the movie would do this to keep the audience guessing and to create more of an appearance of suspense. The question going in to the next movie will focus around whether or not Luke made the correct decision in suspending his training early.
ReplyDeleteIn the movie "empire strikes back" the movie strays from the typical journey of a hero when luke is training with Yoda to become a Jedi. when suddenly Luke has a vision of his friends who are in great peril. Luke leaves his training in order to save his friends from Darth Vader. The main theme that we saw throughout this installment was the hero's withdrawal to preparation. this is similar to Percival when he is given corn, Perciaval in the Castle of Gurnemann receives the gift of true knighthood. only after the preparation can be returned to the world as a hero. This normally works as the hero is withdrawing and preparing for the quests he is later going to confront. The tension the write displays upon us is wether or not luke can defeat Darth Vader. And also next steps the rebels have in trying to bring down the the empire and there plans to do so. In conclusion, Luke's progression through the many steps of a journey of hero are going to soon come to a climatic ending that is sure to bring excitement.
ReplyDeleteThis segment of the trilogy strayed from the traditional archetype of the journey of a hero by Luke choosing his friends over his training and the words of his master's, Yoda and Ben. Normaly when a character goes into training, he or she doesnt come out until he or she is ready. Even though Luke does not listen to Yoda, he does still fight and train because of the encounter with Lord Vader. Other than this stray the overall movie still encompases some of the archetypes, but one that really stands out is withdrawal for preperation. Luke is told by ben that he must find Yoda so he may train to become a great Jedi, once he finds him he is put through trials so that he may learn the ways of the force so he may come into his own. Normally in this stage of the journey the hero would go into training and stay till he is ready but Luke put his training on halt so he could save his friends. This story is similar to the withdrawal for preperation part of the percival story. Percival trained with gurneyman so that he may become a great knight. But in the percival story, percival stayed until the end of his training unlike Luke with his training. The writer of Star Wars probably did this probably to put suspence in the watchers eye. because we the viewers think that he will fail because he isnt ready but then it ends up working. But once you see that he finishes his training so your ready for him to do work in the next movie.
ReplyDeleteThis episode in the original Star Wars trilogy basically serves as an extension of the story. Besides the part in The Empire Strikes Back, Luke's story embodies the voyage of a hero almost perfectly. The main theme of this movie is the withdrawal for preparation, as Luke is training with Yoda in a remote place before learning of his friends troubles. Upon learning this, Luke withdraws from his withdrawal. This is where Luke's story strays from the typical hero myth, but it can be compared to Jesus' time in the wilderness. Both Luke and Jesus are tempted by their respected evil forces (Darth Vader, Satan) and both persevere. The difference is that Luke only faces his after leaving his training. I believe the writer(s) did this to make Luke's story different from other hero myths. It also allowed for more suspense entering the third and final movie of the trilogy. There is also uncertainty entering the third installment surrounding Luke's strength and direction (dark side vs. light side of the force).
ReplyDeleteIn the Empire Strikes Back, Luke strays from his task of becoming a Jedi. He does this so that he can save his friends from Darth Vader. Luke sees a vision of his friends in need of his help, on this matter he leaves Yoda's training to save them. This story is similar to other myth's archetypes. In the story of Percival, he trains with Gurney man like Luke trains with Yoda, however, unlike Percival's training, Luke does not finish his training. This is where the story of the hero deviates, from the normal. This suspense of wether Luke will live or not falls into the hands of the next movie. This is why it deviates, the author also would do this to show the next step in becoming a hero.
ReplyDelete