Murray - A New Hope

George Lucas mirrors the traditional journey of the hero but adds futuristic elements to the same ideas. Harrison Ford expresses this well when he says “I always thought it was accessible, human story…common mythology” (Pfeiffer 71). This is evident in the scene where Luke choses to turn off his computer when targeting the Death Star.  This scene is the Atonement with the Father in Campbell’s model of a hero.  The stage is set and Luke is running out of time.  He is the last fighter ship able to attack and the enemy is gaining on his tail.  In essence Luke is the last hope.  In that moment of stress Luke chooses to abandon technology, the vehicle of self-doubt, and follows the force.  Technology is the vehicle for self-doubt because instead of believing in one’s self he or she relies on technology to do the work for him or her.  In this case the targeting system is the technology and has already proven itself to be unreliable.  The first shot missed and other pilots were even complaining that they could not see the target yet they refused to choose to trust their own instincts.  Luke chooses in a moment of clarity to place his faith in the greater force that would guide him rather than rejecting the guidance and relying on an already damaged ship.  This reliance on the Force is the first time that Luke actively chooses to believe in the Force.  The Force is even referred to as an old religion by Han and the Commander of the Death Star.  The theme of turning to the father is even more so demonstrated by the fact that it is Ben’s voice that Luke hears.  Old Ben quickly became a father figure to Luke.  He not only guides him but also gives the ultimate sacrifice, his life, so that Luke can escape the Death Star.  Now that Luke can here Old Ben speaking to him goes to the notion that Ben is part of a higher power now that urges Luke to believe. This further mirrors the idea of Atonement with the Father because when Ben is alive Luke has not reached the point where he can openly say that he believes in the force.  It is after Ben has died that Luke can face the reality of the Force. Though Luke is unaware of it Leia, while still at the base, shows distinct signs of fright with a mix of hope.  She is clearly reacting to what Luke is going though and sending reassurance to Luke without any verbal confirmation oh her feelings for him. It is evident through her reactions and the fact that she is one of the first people to reach Luke once he lands.