Campbell's Star Wars
The Hero's Journey
by the philosopher behind Star Wars Joseph Campbell
I: Departure:
The call to adventure: Princess Leia's message
Refusal of the call: Must help with the harvest
Supernatural aid: Obi-wan rescues Luke from sandpeople
Crossing the first threshold: Escaping Tatooine
The belly of the whale: Trash compactor
II: Initiation:
The road of trials: Lightsaber practice
The meeting with the goddess: Princess Leia
Temptation away from the true path: Luke is tempted by the Dark Side
Atonement with the Father: Darth Vader and Luke reconcile
Apotheosis (becoming god-like): Luke becomes a Jedi
The ultimate boon: Death Star destroyed
III: Return
Refusal of the return: "Luke, come on!" Luke wants to stay to avenge Obi-Wan's Death.
The magic flight: Millennium Falcon "Jacking in"
Rescue from without: Han saves Luke from Darth Vader
Crossing the return threshold: Millennium Falcon destroys pursuing TIE fighters
Master of the two worlds: Victory ceremony
Freedom to live: Rebellion is victorious over Empire
Common Mythic Elements: Two Worlds (mundane and special) Planetside vs. The Death Star
The Mentor: Obi-Wan Kenobi
The Oracle: Yoda
The Prophecy: Luke will overthrow the Emperor
Wearing Enemy's Skin: Luke and Han wear stormtrooper outfits
Shapeshifter: (the Hero isn't sure if he can trust this character) Han Solo
Animal familiar: R2-D2
Chasing a lone animal into the enchanted wood (and the animal gets away): The Millennium Falcon follows a lone TIE fighter into range of the Death Star, and then they get the first sight of the Death Star.
This article is copyright to JediSanctuary.org