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Star Words: Episode IV, Part 36
Nov. 21st, 2019 02:59 pmNot knowing that Han is beginning to question his choice to leave, Luke trudges away in disappointment. Leia observes his low mood and asks what's wrong. Which is, now I think of it, kind of darkly humorous. He's about to embark on a mission that will almost certainly result in his death whether it's successful or not!! and she's asking him what's wrong??? and yet Luke is so habitually sunny and optimistic in the face of peril that she knows there must be some other cause. I really thought he'd change his mind he tells her sadly. Leia smiles with sad wisdom and offers an important truth.
"He's got to follow his own path; no one can choose it for him."
I'm always delighted by the echoing of lines between the trilogies. This one mirrors the scene in Episode I, when Qui-Gon informs a young Anakin that he has been freed. He hasn't yet realized that in order to attain his fondest dreams, he will have to leave his mother behind on Tatooine. But she knows. And she knows that she cannot either compel him to go or insist that he stay. This path has been placed before you, she tells him. The choice is yours alone. Anakin initially makes the choice in a whirl of delight, but when he learns that his mother couldn't be freed, the full import begins to settle upon him. He is choosing a path of great potential, but it is also a path of great pain.
Han's choice is portentous as well. A mercenary life isn't a safe one by any means, but it's safer than joining a scrappy rebellion against an almighty evil empire. It's safer than facing near-impossible odds in a battle against a moon-sized superweapon. No one could force him to choose a path that perilous. He must decide for himself whether it's worth it or not. Leia's understanding of this principle explains a lot about her role as a leader in the Rebellion. She knows that in order for their cause to remain pure, they cannot recruit by compulsion. Every Rebel must join of their own free will, fully aware of the risks. No one else could choose it for them. Which makes it all the more admirable when they do.
Next, thrilling lines in the heat of battle....
"He's got to follow his own path; no one can choose it for him."
I'm always delighted by the echoing of lines between the trilogies. This one mirrors the scene in Episode I, when Qui-Gon informs a young Anakin that he has been freed. He hasn't yet realized that in order to attain his fondest dreams, he will have to leave his mother behind on Tatooine. But she knows. And she knows that she cannot either compel him to go or insist that he stay. This path has been placed before you, she tells him. The choice is yours alone. Anakin initially makes the choice in a whirl of delight, but when he learns that his mother couldn't be freed, the full import begins to settle upon him. He is choosing a path of great potential, but it is also a path of great pain.
Han's choice is portentous as well. A mercenary life isn't a safe one by any means, but it's safer than joining a scrappy rebellion against an almighty evil empire. It's safer than facing near-impossible odds in a battle against a moon-sized superweapon. No one could force him to choose a path that perilous. He must decide for himself whether it's worth it or not. Leia's understanding of this principle explains a lot about her role as a leader in the Rebellion. She knows that in order for their cause to remain pure, they cannot recruit by compulsion. Every Rebel must join of their own free will, fully aware of the risks. No one else could choose it for them. Which makes it all the more admirable when they do.
Next, thrilling lines in the heat of battle....
