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Star Words: Episode IV, Part 4
Apr. 11th, 2019 01:47 pmAfter a significant series of scenes with minimal dialogue -- just Threepio's complaints as he wanders through the desert, Artoo's chirps and warbles as he's captured by Jawas, and the stormtroopers' continuing search for the droids -- we are introduced at last to Luke, our hero.
Who enters the movie to act as messenger boy from his aunt to his uncle, and then whines about having to do his chores.
"But I was going to go to the Tosche Station to pick up some power converters!"
Episode IV Luke has a reputation for being whiny, and it's probably this line that gets cited most often. And yeah, it's a bit whiny. It's also quite appropriate. Star Wars is a coming-of-age journey for Luke. He has to start out a little immature. Otherwise he has no journey. As Yoda will observe in the next film, Luke struggles to be patient, to focus on the moment instead of potentially more exciting times on the horizon. He will learn. He must.
And it's so relatable. We've all chafed at having to do our chores, having to obey our elders instead of going out and having fun all the time. Wanting more independence without really understanding the subsequent responsibility that must accompany it. It's a fairly universal stage. Luke will grow out of it -- in some ways, he'll be brutally forced out of it when his uncle and aunt are murdered -- but he has to start somewhere.
Also, let's not forget that this is a highly quotable line for so many occasions. Anytime someone asks you to do something, you can protest by reminding them of your plans to pick up those power converters. If it's a fellow Star Wars fan, they will sternly reply, "You can waste time with your friends when your chores are done."
Next, more frustrated words from Luke....
Who enters the movie to act as messenger boy from his aunt to his uncle, and then whines about having to do his chores.
"But I was going to go to the Tosche Station to pick up some power converters!"
Episode IV Luke has a reputation for being whiny, and it's probably this line that gets cited most often. And yeah, it's a bit whiny. It's also quite appropriate. Star Wars is a coming-of-age journey for Luke. He has to start out a little immature. Otherwise he has no journey. As Yoda will observe in the next film, Luke struggles to be patient, to focus on the moment instead of potentially more exciting times on the horizon. He will learn. He must.
And it's so relatable. We've all chafed at having to do our chores, having to obey our elders instead of going out and having fun all the time. Wanting more independence without really understanding the subsequent responsibility that must accompany it. It's a fairly universal stage. Luke will grow out of it -- in some ways, he'll be brutally forced out of it when his uncle and aunt are murdered -- but he has to start somewhere.
Also, let's not forget that this is a highly quotable line for so many occasions. Anytime someone asks you to do something, you can protest by reminding them of your plans to pick up those power converters. If it's a fellow Star Wars fan, they will sternly reply, "You can waste time with your friends when your chores are done."
Next, more frustrated words from Luke....
