Star Wars Viewing Guide Record examples of each archetype listed as we view the first Star Wars Episode IV in class. You can find these archetypes in your notes packet. Situational Archetypes The Quest To destroy Death Star by reuniting R2D2 with the Princess and bring them back to the rebellion base. This will restore hope for the rebellion base and prevent it from becoming destroyed by Death Star The Initiation Luke learns to use the force. He has to practice with the light saber. This is his training for becoming a Jedi. The bar scene also represents his loss of innocence and his entrance to manhood, another initiation. The Task To save Princess Lea. To destroy death star in order to protect the rebellion and other planets. The Magic Weapon The light saber and the force The Ritual Learning how to use the force and become a Jedi. The medal ceremony at the end to reward them for their courage and bravery. The Journey Luke leaving his home planet, learning how to become a Jedi and then going to fight death star. The Fall When Luke learns about the death of his aunt and uncle he takes a mental fall. The fall caused by hubris comes in the next episode. Death and Rebirth The death of Luke s aunt and uncle represent the birth of Luke s new life with O Bi Wan. This is the birth of Luke s connection with the force and his life as a Jedi. Nature vs. Mechanical world Rebellion base vs. Death Star. Some robots are more human like which represent nature and other are evil and work only for war. Battle between Good and Evil O Bi Wan and Luke vs. Darth Vader Rebel forces vs. Death Star
The Unhealable Wound Psychological wound that occurs because of Luke s loss of his aunt and uncle and later the death of O Bi Wan The Hero Luke Skywalker Character Archetypes The Young Man from the Provinces Luke Skywalker, he was not raised by his parents, but by his Aunt and Uncle The Mentors Obi Wan Kenobi The Devil Figure Darth Vader The Father-son conflict Luke not knowing who is father is, he does not discover this until a later episode The Outcast Han Solo The Scapegoat Obi Wan Kenobi The Hunting group of Companions R2D2, C3po, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Obi wan and Princess Lea The Loyal Retainers R2D2 and C3po to Luke and Chewbacca to Han Solo The Creatures of Nightmare Jawas, storm troopers and sand people The Friendly Beast Chewbacca The Evil Figure with the Ultimately Good Heart Han Solo, he is not really evil, but he is saved by the hero and does redeem himself The Damsel in Distress Princess Lea The Platonic Ideal Princess Lea
Symbolic Archetypes Light vs. Dark Luke vs. Darth Vader (color of light saber and clothes) All costumes Water vs. Desert R2D2 and C3po on Luke s planet in the desert, they are alone and searching Heaven vs. Hell The force and Obi Wan are a part of Heaven and the dark side of the force is hell Innate Wisdom vs. Educated Wisdom Robots represent educated because they have been trained and can be operated. The Jedi and Obi Wan who use the force represent Innate Wisdom. Supernatural Intervention Obi Wan using the force to be with Luke as he completes his task Fire vs. Ice Color of the light sabers good=white or blue bad=red (this is the opposite of what fire and ice say) Answer the following questions as you view Star Wars. You will want to come back to the questions and continually add to your answers. 1. How does the film begin? Scrolling text that provides background information. 2. What is the problem, the conflict? Death Star is in control of the Empire and is destroying good planets and people. Death Star must be stopped. 3. Who are R2D2 and C3po? Droids that act as the hunting group of companions and loyal retainers. They become a part of Luke s family. 4. Describe their personalities. Smart, courageous, act like brothers, always on the side of the good guys 5. What archetypes do they represent? Hunting group of companions and loyal retainers 6. Describe the relationship between the robots. They care for one another and want to stick together all the time. They are like brothers to one another.
7. Who is Darth Vader? What might his name imply about his character? A Jedi who has gone to the dark side of the force, he is in control of the Empire and Death Star. His name might represent dark father and shows that he is evil and intimidating. 8. Describe his personality, his behavior and his dress. Assertive, royalty, commander, heartless, mean. He dressed in all black, a cape and helmet are also black, you never see his face. 9. What archetypes does he fall under? The Shadow, The Devil Figure 10. Who is Lea? What might her name imply or mean? She is a princess and is a part of the royal senate and rebel forces. Her name is biblical and means goodness and purity 11. Describe her physical and emotional behavior and her dress. She is controlling and strong willed, she is dressed in all white to represent goodness 12. What archetypes does she fall under? Damsel in Distress, the temptress, platonic ideal, hunting group of campanions 13. Who is Luke Skywalker? What significance does his name have? He is the hero and his name might mean one who walks the skies, he is meant to be a Jedi and fighter pilot. 14. Describe his behavior and dress. Determined, focused, wants to grow up and be a part of the action. His dresses in all white which represents goodness, youth and innocence 15. What archetypes does he fall under? Hero, young man from the provinces, initiate, hunting group 16. Who is Obi Wan (aka Ben Kenobi)? What does his name imply? He is mentor to Luke. His name might mean Oh be one with (the force), this shows that he plays an important part of the force. 17. Describe his behavior and personality along with his dress. Wise and confident, his dress is all brown which represents wisdom and nature 18. What archetypes does he fall under? The mentor, scapegoat, hunting group, supernatural intervention 19. Describe Luke s planet of Tatooine. Desert like, desolate, solitude 20. What archetype does it fall under and why is this important to the story? Desert vs. Water, wasted land- this planet does not offer anything for Luke, he must leave if he is going to achieve more
21. Describe the Jawas. Notice the costumes. What does it imply about their characters? Brown cloaks with hoods, red eyes. They want to remain hidden so they can be neutral and not take sides 22. Why is Luke being raised by his Aunt and Uncle and what archetypes apply to this situation? His mother was captured and his father was murdered by Darth Vader. This is what classifies Luke as being the young man from the provinces 23. How will this affect his personality? It psychologically hurts him because he does not know his parents, but motivates him to become a Jedi because that is what his father was 24. Describe the Death Star. What can it do? Huge space station that can destroy planets 25. What do the Emperor s men look like and what do they remind you of? They wear white on the outside and lack underneath, they remind me of Nazis who just obey the one in charge and will destroy any life they are told to with out any emotion. 26. Why is this important? They want to appear non-threatening on the outside, but deep down they are evil and will follow all the commands of their leader. 27. How is the bar scene archetypal? Explain why. It is the initiation into adult hood; Luke is gaining knowledge from the sheltered life he has been living. 28. Describe Han Solo s personality and costume. Risk taker, outcast, always in trouble, he wears brown and this represents that he is neutral, neither good or bad 29. What kind of trouble is he in? He owes money to Jaba and will be killed if he does not pay back the money 30. Which archetypes does he fall under? The outcast, the hunting group of companions, the evil figure with a ultimately good heart 31. Describe Chewbacca. Beast, tall, furry 32. What archetypes does he fall under? Friendly beast, hunting group, loyal retainer 33. Describe his relationship with Han. Like a family, they care deeply for one another
34. What is the magic weapon? The light saber 35. Who gets is from whom and why? Obi Wan gives it to Luke because Luke s father wanted him to have it 36. Define the Force. Why is it important? Mental power that exist supernaturally in order to help Jedi, it becomes a part of the Jedi s conscience, it controls them. It can be good and bad. 37. What is the task? Save the princess and destroy death star 38. Explain the significance of Luke s last name. Skywalker implies that he is meat to be in the sky and that flying comes easy for him 39. In this story, who are the loyal retainers and the group of companions? Give specific examples. They are those who help Luke save the rebellion. They consist of Lea, Han Solo, Chewbacca, the droids. 40. Why does Ben allow Darth to kill him? So he can become a part of the force and be with Luke mentally, because he knows that it is Luke who is going to complete the task and be the hero 41. How is the Death Star destroyed? Luke hits its weak spot and it causes a chain reaction of explosions, Luke uses the force to complete this task 42. What are Han s motives for helping the rebellion? He needs the money they offer so he can pay back is debt. 43. Do his motives change? Why? Yes, because he become attached to the others and wants to help them win. 44. Describe the costumes of the major characters. What do the costumes and colors indicate about these archetypal characters? Luke- white, represents youth, innocence and goodness Darth Vader- all black, represents evil Lea- white, represents goodness, nature, giving and caring Obi Wan- brown cloak, represents knowledge and wisdom and earth Han Solo- brown and white, neutral on the outside, but with the good guys down deep 45. List the names of the major characters. What might the names mean or reveal about the characters? Name notes