The American Dream is seen throughout all kinds of media. The first Star Wars movie was released in the late 70’s and was a smash hit. Star Wars has some concepts are similar to that of the American Dream, and are seen throughout all of the movies.
The original trilogy of Star Wars movies shows Luke, who is “restless for adventure” (Andrew Gordon, 1978), overthrowing the Empire so he can bring peace throughout the galaxy, which is the first parallel to the American Dream: freedom. Some other characters are shown to change throughout the movie, “LUKE: I knew you'd come back. I just knew it. HAN: Well, I wasn't going to let you get all the credit and take all the reward. LEIA: Hey, I knew there was more to you than money” (Lucas 1977). Han has changed from caring only about money to caring more about his friends, which is another parallel to the American Dream. |
The prequel trilogy shows Obi-Wan and Anakin becoming more and more experienced as jedis and the slow corruption of Anakin. Anakin becoming so corrupted to the point that he would kill his fellow jedi, and even the one’s closest to him, However before Anakin’s corruption, the Republic was fighting the separatists for what they believe in, Obi-Wan had a conversation with Anakin, “ANAKIN: The Council is upset I'm the youngest to ever serve. OBI-WAN: No, it is not. Anakin, I worry when you speak of jealousy and pride. Those are not Jedi thoughts. They're dangerous, dark thoughts. ANAKIN: Master, you of all people should have confidence in my abilities. I know where my loyalties lie. OBI-WAN: I hope so. …” (Lucas, 2005) Anakin is becoming prideful in himself, which is a parallel to the American dream: to take pride in what one does or have, also in the first movie of the trilogy, Padme and Anakin meet for the first time, “ANAKIN: Are you an angel? PADMÉ: What? ANAKIN: An angel. I heard the deep space pilots talk about them. They're the most beautiful creatures in the universe. They live on the moons of Iego, I think. PADMÉ: You're a funny little boy. How do you know so much? ANAKIN: I listen to all the traders and star pilots who come through here. I'm a pilot, you know, and someday I'm gonna fly away from this place.” (Lucas, 1999) Luke has hopes of leaving his home planet one day, and have adventures of his own, much similar to some ideals of the American Dream.
The in the new Force Awakens, the movie follows Rey and Finn, trying to destroy the First Order, at the beginning of the movie, Poe gets captured by the First Order, “FINN: This is a rescue, I'm helping you escape. Can you fly a TIE fighter? POE: You with the Resistance? FINN: What? That's crazy. No, no, no! I'm breaking you out. Can you fly a TIE fighter? POE: I can fly anything. Why, why are you helping me? FINN: Because it's the right thing to do.” (Abrams, 2015) Finn is betraying the group he works for, because of his morals, showing a parallel to the American Dream. Star Wars shows many parallels to the American Dream, there are many more examples of it shown throughout the entire series of movies, games, and books. The base ideals of the American Dream is having freedom, shown in movies I - IV, having pride, shown in episode III, and friendship shown in IV. and doing what is right, shown in episode VII. The American Dream can be found all throughout media, and Star Wars is one great example of the American Dream being found in it. |
Star Wars is a series full of parallels to the American Dream
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Interview With Obi-Wan Kenobi |
Poem |
Question #1: Mr. Kenobi, how do you feel about Anakin?
Answer: I loved him, he was my brother, but then he turned to the dark side. Question #2: What was your favorite moment as a jedi? Answer: Finally growing my beard out, it only took one movie. Question #3: What are your thoughts on Count Sudoku? Answer: ...Dooku, but he was a sith, he needed to be stopped. Question #4: Do you like Jar... Answer: (interrupting and whispering) We don’t talk about him. Question #5: How do you feel about the clones? Answer: They were efficient and easy to reproduce...until Order 66, because now they can’t aim to save their life. Question #6: What was your favorite planet you traveled to? Answer: All of them, except Naboo...So many Jar Jar look-a-likes(shivers) Question #7: Do you know of the Commandos? Answer: Yes, they’re like Seal Team 6 with lasers, you don’t want to mess with them. Question #8: If I told you that Anakins’ upcoming Empire is going to be destroyed by a bunch of monkey bear hybrids, how would you feel? Answer: (starts laughing)...Wait, you’re serious? Question #9: Are these the droids I’m looking for? Answer: What droids? Question #10:Now for the last question: How do you like the high ground? Answer: (leaving) you’re funny, you know that? But to answer your question: it was very enjoyable |
The series of battles in space
The Empire and the Rebels faced Anakin is was the chosen one But then he was done With the Jedi Order Order 66 He crossed the border To the darkside To where the he changed the tide And lost for he had no high ground He is now armor bound Luke is the hero of the tale He will not fail He fights Vader Vader is a Hater The ending was happy But then it got crappy When The First Order rose Everyone froze Can our new heroes save us? |