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Star Words: Episode IV, Part 6
Apr. 25th, 2019 02:00 pmLuke wants adventure, and he's about to get a lot of it, spurred on by the mysterious distress call Artoo is carrying in his memory banks. But first there is the obstacle of his uncle's expectations, the authority representing the dependency of childhood. Uncle Owen is a gruff and demanding man who stands at the passageway to adulthood (or the Academy, anyway), refusing to let Luke through.
And yet he has good reason for it. Luke is impulsive, incautious and impatient. Adulthood is not going to be easy on him. There is true concern and caring in his voice as he pleads with his nephew to wait "just one more season." He's not an ogre. He's just not ready to let go yet.
We learn there is a deeper reason for his worry as Luke goes off to pout. Beru suggests that Owen reconsider, pointing out that he'll never be the farmer-type. "He has too much of his father in him." Owen acknowledges this with words that are strangely foreboding.
"That's what I'm afraid of."
Once again, we can examine this quote from the perspective of the original film as well as from the wider view of the saga. As far as we know in Episode IV, Luke's father was a brave fighter who clashed with Owen about their ideals -- noble ideals that, apparently, led to his death. We can admire that bravery while also acknowledging that Owen isn't totally wrong in wanting to shield Luke from a similar fate.
Then in Episode V we learn that Anakin's fate was worse than death. Does Owen know what he became? Probably not. I doubt Obi-Wan would have offered such dangerous information to him when he didn't even tell Anakin's own son. But we know. And we shudder at the notion that Luke might have too much of his father in him. That he could follow the same awful path as Vader.
Consider also how the prequels echo this scene, both in Episode I and II. A similar family meal takes place when Anakin and Shmi play host to Qui-Gon, Jar Jar and Padmé, and the conversation covers similar ground -- how Anakin yearns for the adventure of podracing and the pursuit of helping those in need, while his mother shudders at the thought of putting him in such danger. In Episode II, meanwhile, we see Owen and Beru in their younger days, sitting at the very same table with Luke's future parents. When Anakin leaves to search for his mother, Owen's query of "Where are you going?" sounds almost identical in tone to how Beru will ask the same of Luke years later. It's these parallels and motifs that make the saga such a rich and multi-layered experience.
Next time, Luke's adventures ensure, ready or not....
And yet he has good reason for it. Luke is impulsive, incautious and impatient. Adulthood is not going to be easy on him. There is true concern and caring in his voice as he pleads with his nephew to wait "just one more season." He's not an ogre. He's just not ready to let go yet.
We learn there is a deeper reason for his worry as Luke goes off to pout. Beru suggests that Owen reconsider, pointing out that he'll never be the farmer-type. "He has too much of his father in him." Owen acknowledges this with words that are strangely foreboding.
"That's what I'm afraid of."
Once again, we can examine this quote from the perspective of the original film as well as from the wider view of the saga. As far as we know in Episode IV, Luke's father was a brave fighter who clashed with Owen about their ideals -- noble ideals that, apparently, led to his death. We can admire that bravery while also acknowledging that Owen isn't totally wrong in wanting to shield Luke from a similar fate.
Then in Episode V we learn that Anakin's fate was worse than death. Does Owen know what he became? Probably not. I doubt Obi-Wan would have offered such dangerous information to him when he didn't even tell Anakin's own son. But we know. And we shudder at the notion that Luke might have too much of his father in him. That he could follow the same awful path as Vader.
Consider also how the prequels echo this scene, both in Episode I and II. A similar family meal takes place when Anakin and Shmi play host to Qui-Gon, Jar Jar and Padmé, and the conversation covers similar ground -- how Anakin yearns for the adventure of podracing and the pursuit of helping those in need, while his mother shudders at the thought of putting him in such danger. In Episode II, meanwhile, we see Owen and Beru in their younger days, sitting at the very same table with Luke's future parents. When Anakin leaves to search for his mother, Owen's query of "Where are you going?" sounds almost identical in tone to how Beru will ask the same of Luke years later. It's these parallels and motifs that make the saga such a rich and multi-layered experience.
Next time, Luke's adventures ensure, ready or not....
