I chose the step of finding Supernatural Aid, embodied in
the movie through the character of Obi-Wan Kenobi, as the subject of this blog.
In my opinion, if Luke had never encountered Obi-Wan, he never would have been
provided with a proper call to adventure and received the push he needed to
leave his home. I think that Luke’s first meeting with Obi-Wan is also the
first time in which director and writer George Lucas’ intentions in creating a story that follows the outline of
Campbell’s hero’s journey is made significantly noticeable. Throughout the
beginning of the film, Luke expresses his feelings about not belonging on his
home planet of Tatooine. Obi-Wan confirms his suspicions when he reveals that
Luke’s father was an important man who died in the midst of battle and that
Luke is one of the dwindling numbers of Jedi. He cements his role as Luke’s
Supernatural Aid by giving Luke his father’s old weapon, a lightsaber, which
can be seen as the “amulet to guard against the dragon forces he is about to
pass” that Campbell mentions.
Obi-Wan’s influence over Luke extends past the call to
adventure, however, as he serves as a kind of catalyst, transforming the
purpose of Luke’s journey from one of a naïve boy with nothing left to lose to
one of a lost Jedi trying to preserve a culture and honor his master by
continuing his work. This process begins when Obi-Wan begins Luke’s training
and takes on the role of mentor in his life. The introduction of the concept of
the Force adds another element to Luke’s journey, for although it is not the
most immediate challenge in his situation in A New Hope, learning to manipulate it is the first and most
constant obstacle he must overcome in his Road of Trials. The Force becomes a
central conflict throughout the trilogy as we see the likes of Han Solo and
leaders of the Empire ridicule its existence. Ford notes in Pfeiffer’s book
that his performance of disbelief and indifference to the idea of the Force was
made easier due to the lack of physical representation of the special effects
while filming. The division about the Force reinforces Luke’s position as the
hero who must champion the Force and bring its knowledge and ideals back to the
people who have lost it. Luke’s realization of these concepts and the change of
his focus in defeating the Empire occurs when he witnesses Obi-Wan sacrifice
himself to Darth Vader in order to free the others from the clutches of the
Death Star.
Ultimately, I feel that Obi-Wan’s presence as Supernatural
Aid brings about much of the action in A
New Hope and sets up many of the base concepts for the rest of the trilogy.
Raven Richard
ReplyDeleteI really like the angle this student took on explaining the call to adventure that Luke Skywalker faced. I never really thought about how Obi Wan Kenobi played a key essential role even after he died for the rest of the series. You also bring up good points that if he never encountered Obi Wan at that certain time, then things would be different. Timing is also key in understanding a hero’s call to adventure. Luke’s frustration was growing even more because he just found out that his uncle wants him to wait another year before he enters the academy. This burning desire was also the same type of burning desire after Obi Wan allowed Luke to understand the force that was within him. This is significant because that drove him to accept and complete his adventure. The adventure continues because we see Darth Vader is still alive at the end. This leaves more room for another encounter with the “force” and Obi Wan Kenobi. I also like how this student connected Obi Wan’s influence to changing Luke’s journey. It is important to realize that not only was Luke encouraged to go on his adventure but was also motivated into the right direction within his journey.