The Ultimate Meaning of Star Wars

Have you never watched Star Wars? Can you not join in with those people who talk about it? Even joke about it? Then I have an answer, just continue reading.

As you have seen the opening crawl of Star Wars: A New Hope (located at the bottom of this article), you might ask, why does every single Star Wars movie start like that. Well it’s because it summarizes the main conflict. Basically, today, I am going to make a “crawl” for all of you who have never watched Star Wars.

Lets start out with Star Wars: Episode One: The Phantom Menace. Put in three topics this movie is about understanding, courage, and what it means to be a Jedi. What is a Jedi? This is a definition according to http://starwars.wikia.com/ AJedi was a member of the Jedi Order, which studied, served and used the mystical energies of the Force; more specifically, the light side of the Force. The Jedi fought for peace and justice in the Galatic Republic, often against their mortal enemies, the Sith, who studied the dark side of the Force. Although the Order was twice almost destroyed, first by the Sith Empire of Darth Revan and 4,000 years later by the Great Jedi Purge of Darth Sidious , the Order lived on due in large part to the efforts of Luke Skywalker, who forged a New Jedi Order to defend first the New Republic, and later its successor, the Galatic Federation of Free Alliances. (All credit goes to Wookieepedia for providing this imformation for this article, for exact link visit http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Jedi)

Now for the actual topic tracking of Episode One, Topic #1 Understanding. In this episode Anakin Skywalker (Later to be known as Darth Vader)understands that he has a special power, this power, of course, is the ability to bind the Force to his will. He then leaves with Jedi companions Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi after they sense with the Force this boys particular powers in the Force. Anakin then understands later on (actually much later on) what it is to be a Jedi, by following the discipline of Qui-Gon and the power of Obi-Wan.

Courage topic tracking for Episode One. Courage comes through both what Anakin and Obi-Wan accomplish within this movie. First for the courage of Anakin, after watching the movie (which, by the way, can usually be watched in segments on youtube) you learn that Anakin is very strong with the Force. His courage is shown when he flys the fighter craft, and pretty much blasts out the droids. This is courageous because, only being a child, he can take this aircraft and basically win the battle for the Gungans against the Droids. This takes real courage because he could have died and perhaps even killed the wrong people. Secondly, the courage of Obi-Wan. Obi-Wan shows physical and mental courage when he is practically beaten by Darth Maul, but when he calls upon his master’s lightsaber, he shows his courage by fighting a battle he might not even win, just to avenge Qui-Gon’s death. This takes much courage.

What does it mean to be a Jedi? To be a Jedi you must defend what is right, good, and just, not for selfish needs. To be a Jedi you must have discipline, focus, and mental toughness. To be a Jedi you must devote yourself, control yourself, and commit yourself. Anakin learns the first statement, but he really doesen’t quite grasp the selfishness, discipline, focus, mental toughness, commitment, devotion, and controlling parts. This ultimately leads to his downfall to the Dark Side. Just by watching Episode One you understand the underlined theme of all six movies, that being selfish, not mentally prepared can lead to evil, wrath, and pain. In the end Anakin has to pay the only thing no one could take from him, his very life. By doing this Anakin falls back to the Lightside of the Force, eternally.

(Three old friends finally make ends meet.)