Star Words: Episode IV, Part 23

[matril]

No sooner does Ben leave on his quest to take down the tractor beam than Artoo finds another pressing concern: Princess Leia is on the Death Star, and she's about to be executed.

We then witness a perfect dichotomy of motivation. Luke, the impetuous hero, immediately decides that something must be done. It would be unthinkable to allow another innocent life to be taken. On the other hand we have Han, the selfish mercenary, who must be convinced that there is something in it for him. "But they're going to kill her!" is Luke's horrified protest.

"Better her than me."

The body language says it all. Luke is walking about restlessly, unable to sit still while peril hangs over the princess. Han lounges there in the most indolent of poses, refusing to stir for anything but the promise of a reward. He finally shows interest when Luke appeals to his mercenary side, pointing out that the princess is rich.

I would argue that Han is not a reluctant hero merely affecting an appearance of selfishness. He is genuinely selfish. When we first meet him he's clearly a hardened pragmatist, taking what he can get regardless of its effect on others, loyal to nothing but his own interests. Then he changes. He finds something to motivate his actions beyond himself. I find that far more satisfying than seeing him as a static character -- a scoundrel with a secret heart of gold or some such. Lines like "better her than me" are not ambiguous. He's really not interested in sticking his neck out for anyone.

Don't get me wrong -- Han was always capable of being heroic and making the selfless choice. But up till now, he hasn't tried. I'll explore a little more of why he decides to change at a later point in this series. Lots of good stuff coming.

Next, shenanigans in the detention block...

Comments

[krpalmer]

While I've seen my own share of claims that "Han really does have some idealism left deep inside," I did get wondering if they just might spring in part from something you said last week, that we can overanalyze these texts and perhaps get to thinking "Han being talked into helping rescue Leia 'on the mere promise of a reward' happened so fast we've got to build a more elaborate explanation." (I also recall a recent comment, though, that if Han was as "utterly ruthless" as some of the wearily dug-in arguments about the cantina shootout have it, he'd have "neutralized" an insistent Luke and left by himself as soon as the tractor beam switched off...)

[matril]

Han is selfish, but he's not a monster. If nothing else, pragmatism would point out that if he eliminates his clients, he won't get paid. But it probably goes a little deeper than that.