A long time ago in a galaxy far

A long time ago… in a galaxy far, far away… Directions: Take as many notes as YOU need to help you understand remember each Hero’s Journey Stage.

The Initiate Luke Skywalker • lives on Tatooine with aunt and uncle • wants to be anywhere but on the farm • unhappy and childish – “I’m never getting out of here. ” “If there’s a bright center to the universe, you’re on the planet that it’s farthest from. ” - Luke

Threshold Guardian Uncle Owen The threshold guardian teaches and/or tests the initiate before facing a great challenge. The threshold guardian often blocks the initiate from crossing the threshold into the unknown because he/she feels the initiate is not ready. Often their motives are protective in nature. Sometimes the message is: “go home and forget your quest. ” Luke: “Listen, I can’t get involved. I’ve got work to do. It’s not like I like the Empire; I hate it. But there’s nothing I can do about it right now… It’s all such a long way from here. ” Obi-Wan: “That’s your uncle talking. ”

The Call to Adventure • The Call is a result of his own carelessness (R 2 D 2’s restraining bolt) • Ben asks Luke to join him to help Princess Leia – Luke refuses the call • “I can’t get involved. ” What’s he afraid of? • Luke discovers his aunt and uncle killed by Imperial Storm Troopers and decides to go to Alderaan with Ben Kenobi “There’s nothing here for me now. *I want to learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi like my father. ” - Luke (*Luke’s Goal/Quest)

Crossing the Threshold “I’m ready for anything. ” But is he? Luke is cocky and immature. • The threshold is Mos Eisley Spaceport: the Cantina (bar). • Cantina is the interface between what Luke knows (known world) and what he doesn’t know (unknown world). • Here, he meets people who have been “out there. ” “Mos Eisley spaceport: You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. ” - Obi Wan Listen for: “You’ve taken your first step into a larger world. ”

It is typical of the initiate to require saving at the Threshold or early in the adventure. We see this when Obi-Wan (Ben) saves Luke from the sand people before his official Call to Adventure and again at the Cantina, the Threshold. Obi-Wan will take on the role of Mentor to Luke.

Mentor Obi-Wan (Ben) Kenobi calms and stabilizes Luke and guides him in the ways of the Force “Be patient, Luke. ” “The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together. ” Obi Wan

Helpers • Droids (R 2 D 2, C 3 PO) • Chewbacca • Leia • Han Solo Trilogy: • light saber (talisman)

Challenges and Temptations • Millennium Falcon is captured by the Death Star • Ben asks Luke to stay in the control room (Luke whines and wants to go with him) • Must avoid Storm Troopers • Luke launches a reckless and ill-planned mission to rescue Princess Leia. He announces to Leia, “I’m Luke Skywalker. I’m here to rescue you, ” yet he has no plan for escape! Mentor: “The Force will be with you…always. ”

Abyss Trash Compactor “I have a bad feeling about this. ” “There’s something alive in there. ” He is then dragged under by the “creature. ” • Luke cannot escape and cannot be rescued. (He must surrender himself to the journey --- point of no return. ) • His greatest fear? Death (Near-death experience is common) • He survives only because the creature releases him. “I don’t know. It let go of me and disappeared. ”

Revelation • Luke cannot control every situation. • He faces and overcomes his fear of death. • He learns he needs to control his panic/excitement. • Luke realizes he needs others – he can’t do everything by himself. • He’s more cool-headed and confident. Luke is alive because the creature let him go. In a slurry of epithets, Han calls Leia sweetheart, your worshipfulness, and sister. (Foreshadowing, anyone? )

Examples: Transformation When the walls close in, Luke is able to control his panic and help the droids save them. Outside the compactor, Han carelessly chases Storm Troopers and Luke calls his impulsive actions foolish. “What good will it do him if he gets himself killed. ” Luke saves himself and Leia by swinging across the core of the Death Star. *Overall, Luke is less impulsive and begins to lead the group rather than cause further complications. *In the next scene, look for Luke to have a minor regression. It is not uncommon for the initiate to have a moment of regression to highlight the strides they’ve made to change and to show difficult it is to transform.

Atonement Battle • Luke is able to bring his new skills and perspective as “gifts” to the Rebellion. • Battle is a showcase for Luke. • He works in a group rather than going off recklessly on his own. • He calms and encourages other pilots. • Takes a “leap of faith” when he turns off his targeting computer to use the Force (demonstration of a total release of control… his ability to trust in something outside of himself. ) This is his MOMENT OF TRUTH. He is now a hero. “Use the Force, Luke. Let go…trust me. ” - voice of Obi Wan

Return Luke uses the Force to destroy the Death Star. “Great shot, Kid! That was one in a million!” Ceremony: After the battle, Luke is given a medal for his accomplishment. He is considered a hero amongst the Rebellion. We know he is a hero for other reasons; he has grown and matured and completed the Hero’s Journey. He is now a confident and productive LEADER. “Remember, the Force will be with you…always. ” Luke is NOT a hero because he destroyed the Death Star. He destroyed the Death Star because he is a hero.

Question: Did George Lucas intentionally write a “Hero’s Journey” movie, or was it a coincidence? (Did he intentionally plug in the stages, or do movies like Star Wars just “naturally” fit the pattern? )

Answer: George Lucas studied Joseph Campbell and intentionally wrote a “Hero’s Journey” movie. (…and made millions doing it!)