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Star Wars is more than Good versus Evil

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Star Wars is more than Good versus Evil

As a seasoned gamer and Star Wars enthusiast with decades of immersion in this iconic universe, I can’t help but appreciate the evolution of storytelling in this galaxy far, far away. My first memories are of sitting in a dimly lit movie theater, watching the original trilogy on the big screen, marveling at the epic battle between good and evil. But now, as an adult with a bit more life experience under my belt, I find myself drawn to the nuanced narratives that recent Star Wars productions have been offering.

I set myself up at a compact table near Barnes & Noble’s entrance, stacked with my own books, hoping curious shoppers would approach and inquire. Underneath an old Star Wars t-shirt, I donned a jacket for a touch of formality. To complement the occasion, I carried unique Star Wars-themed pens, including a chunky LEGO Yoda pen from my past and a more mature-looking one adorned with C-3PO. However, chances to utilize these pens had been scarce so far.

All to say, I was excited when the man walked over and picked up a copy of my work.

“He wondered aloud what the matter was,” he said, standing tall and commanding attention. His actions were expressive, and his voice carried authority, making him appear quite formidable.

“Star Wars and spirituality,” I said, trying to play it cool.

“Ah!” He set aside the book, apparently for convenience, and moved a step back, creating space. “We’re on the same wavelength. So much spiritual symbolism in Star Wars.” He then shared his memories of watching the original movie in 1977, its lasting impression, and his repeated viewings. “However, I can’t help but feel disappointed with these recent series. They seem to have lost sight of the fact that Star Wars is about the struggle between good and evil. It’s puzzling why they portray the Jedi as villains.”

I gave a polite nod, avoiding a discussion about Star Wars with a customer in the midst of the bookstore. He chatted with me for around five minutes, but due to his misunderstanding of what Star Wars was expected to be, our conversation quickly derailed. In the end, he left without purchasing a book.

After our chat that afternoon, I mulled it over quite a bit. To be honest, I didn’t find myself aligning with his perspective – in the time since then, I’ve come to strongly oppose his viewpoint.

But I can see and certainly appreciate where it comes from.

In the beginning of the original Star Wars film, it doesn’t take long to tell who are the heroes and who are the villains. Princess Leia, dressed in white, leads a struggling rebellion, spreading a message of hope. Meanwhile, Darth Vader, clad in black, indiscriminately slays what appear to be innocent soldiers and captures our previously known heroine. The story then unfolds with Luke Skywalker, who is almost the picture of innocence (though a bit whiny), and Vader, who remains nothing but a bully waiting to be defeated.

In the original trilogy, several films delve deeper into character development, notably showcasing a transformation or redemptive arc for the once cold-hearted villain, Darth Vader. Yet, it’s always clear who is portrayed as the good guy and who is portrayed as the bad guy.

The fellow in Barnes & Noble, who’s always been fond of the initial Star Wars movie, was spot-on, considering a particular perspective. He isn’t off base when he argues that modern Star Wars narratives have blurred the simple distinction between good and evil, light and dark.

The Acolyte is simply the latest illustration. Our traditional role models, the Jedi, often believe they’re making righteous decisions, but in the end, these choices can lead to unfortunate consequences. They were unaware of their biases, and what seemed good actually turned out to be quite harmful. Are the Jedi evil by nature, destined for darkness? No—but they do make mistakes that result in sad outcomes, much like we all do sometimes.

Previously, in stories like Obi-Wan Kenobi, we’ve observed a blurring of the traditional light/dark divide. Obi-Wan Kenobi served as a deep exploration of how a character can reconcile with the questionable choices and biases that are often found in narratives similar to The Acolyte. While Obi-Wan didn’t solely cause the galaxy’s descent into darkness, he undoubtedly played a role. Despite being hailed as a hero, Obi-Wan carries the weight of his own dark past, his own regrettable decisions. The tale revolves around how he copes with the internal struggle between light and dark, emerges anew, and finds peace – a narrative that echoes the experiences of many who grapple with a troubled history.

The list goes on: Is Boba Fett a “good” guy? Is Luthen Rael? When we peel back the layers of the stolen Death Star plans—the pivotal plot point of that original Star Wars film—we necessarily find a muddle of good and bad decisions, of light tinged with dark. That’s the point of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. It’s certainly what we see in Andor. (And I’ve said nothing about any of the stories beyond film or television!)

In essence, we crave a straightforward good vs. evil or light vs. dark division in our daily lives, similar to choosing between a princess in radiant white and a menacing robot in ominous black. It’s natural to yearn for such clarity. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that this is not how reality typically works.

As a dedicated Star Wars fan, I’ve found myself uneasy with the recent narrative shifts. It seems like these new stories are subtly reminding us of a harsh reality we confront daily: We can never be completely sure that our decisions will lead to good outcomes; we can only strive to navigate through the best we can. We sense the Force, keep moving forward. Sometimes we have to retrace our steps and mend what we’ve damaged. And most importantly, we show compassion because we understand how challenging and complex this universe can be.

It’s alright to seek understanding and to desire knowledge about whether we’ve acted for the greater good. However, it’s crucial to live within the confines of reality, where our choices can be murky due to the intricacies of the world around us. If Star Wars tales make you feel uneasy because they reflect our inner selves, then I would argue that they are fulfilling their purpose and doing so effectively.

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2024-08-09 00:22

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