One Jedi ideology is that of simplicity and harmony with
nature. Though they are not adverse to technology they do not rely on it,
relying on their own connection with the force to navigate their various dangers.
The most prominent and obvious example of this was the destruction of the first
Death Star, as Luke is guided by the force to hit the exhaust port with the
proton torpedo, rather than relying on the target computer that failed for Red
Leader when he fired his shot.
The lack of technology in Jedi traditions is drawn into stark
contrast by the Sith’s reliance on technology. Where the Jedi rely on their
senses and intuition to gain influence the Sith construct a giant,
technological, planet destroying weapon. Then you look at Darth Vader, how was
it that Obi Wan described his fallen friend? ‘He’s more machine now than man.’
Then of course there’s the big boss, the Emperor, Darth Sideous. His deformed
body is almost against life as a concept entirely. His twisted and demented
being resides in a primarily technological environment, a planet destroying
weapon as it happens. Even on a soulful level technology is morally wrong for
Star Wars. Darth Vader’s final request is for Luke to remove his mask, the
symbol of his artificial casing.
Even in the little scenes there’s a sense that technology
just can’t compete with the natural intuitions of the characters. A repeated
joke throughout ‘Empire Strikes Back’ is C3-P0 and R2-D2 constantly giving
calculations on their scenario. The odds against Luke still being alive in the
wasteland of Hoth are low by their calculations, but Han Solo goes after him
anyway. The same thing happens again when, under pursuit from the Empire, Han
flies the Millennium Falcon into an asteroid field only to be told by C3-P0
that the odds are ridiculously against them surviving. Han replies with ‘Never
tell me the odds’. Okay it sounds better when Harrison Ford says it.
Technology acts as a corrupting force sometimes as well.
Though there are many metaphors and symbols behind Luke’s severed hand and its
artificial replacement, one of them that is very relevant to this theme is the
idea that after the injury Luke finds himself tempted by the dark side of the
force. Then later it is this timely reminder of his mechanical limb that stops
him from killing Darth Vader in ‘Return of the Jedi’. A scene from ‘Return of
the Jedi’ brings us neatly back to the Ewoks. For all their technology and advancements
the Stormtroopers are defeated by the Ewoks on Endor.
Of course, it would be naïve to think that Lucas wanted to
constantly say that technology is outright bad, after all if Luke didn’t get
that mechanical hand he would be fairly useless to the Rebels after that, good
luck defeating the Emperor with one hand. It would be simply odd for a film
that relishes in technology to criticise it. As Han Solo says ‘Ancient weapons
are no match for a good blaster’. Then of course you have to look at two of the
series’ most beloved characters, C3-P0 and R2-D2, are machines. By their very
nature they are completely products of technology. However Lucas gave them
emotions and feelings that few machines in film have, C3-P0 is famous for
worrying about everything, when does a machine ever worry? This points to Lucas’
main theme and message with all of these elements, it’s that the most important
aspect in the world of Star Wars is to not be consumed by technology and become
less of a human as a result. Vader does not succeed in this and is corrupted as
a result, Luke does not.
So those are my ramblings on Star Wars, let me know a few of
your own thoughts by leaving a comment below. You can find me on Twitter with
@JoshuaPrice97 and don’t forget to recommend this blog on google by clicking
the icon at the top of the page. Thanks and bye.
No comments:
Post a Comment