A long time ago, 45 years to be exact, a little movie about a farm boy who gets swept up in a galactic civil war exploded into theaters, forever changing pop culture. It’s difficult to imagine a world where Star Wars doesn’t exist, and in some ways, it feels as though Luke, Leia, and Han have always been with us. This is why examining Star Wars: A New Hope is not a task that could be accomplished within a single article.
The themes, characters, and impact on society are far too extensive and could take up volumes of literary works to properly explore. Instead, we’ll start at the beginning and assess the simplest points that are the foundation of such a significant franchise, one of which is that it all started with a simple farm boy.
While Luke isn’t technically a “boy” as far as the definition of age is concerned, he’s rather emotionally and mentally immature when we first meet him. He’s spent his entire life on his Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru’s moisture farm on the desert planet of Tattooine, never exploring much further than the confines of his family’s property. Though he’s dedicated to helping his Aunt and Uncle with the daily tasks and upkeep of the farm, he takes several opportunities to protest their rules. It can be argued that he even comes across as whiney and petulant in these moments.
It’s clear he’s a dreamer, though, as he longs for a life of adventure and substance amongst the stars of the galaxy and away from the monotony and endless sands of his home planet. The first building blocks in Luke’s character arc are set in motion after he obtains R2-D2 and C-3PO and subsequently learns of the Jedi and the Force from Obi-Wan. His arc embodies the Hero’s Journey so faithfully that it remains one of the most revered in all storytelling.
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He’s essentially forced to grow up, over and over, throughout the film, mostly due to being in the right place at the right time. It’s happenstance that brings the droids to him in the first place, which in turn leads to the death of Owen and Baroo and the destruction of their farm.
To our knowledge, it’s the first time Luke has to deal with real, raw tragedy and grief. In an instant, his life is turned upside down, and he can not even be allowed the proper time to sort through the complexity of it all before being whisked away with Obi-Wan. It’s the ultimate irony that he has no choice but to go on the very type of adventure he could only dream about previously.
Before long, he’s completely embroiled in the conflict between the Galactic Empire and the Rebellion. Along with Obi-Wan and Han, it’s now his responsibility to safely deliver the Death Star schematics that were once hidden in R2. It’s a mission fraught with so much peril and seems like an impossible win.
Quickly, we see Luke go from that complaining farmhand to a capable and eager strategist. He realizes the world is much bigger than just his personal desires as he witnesses firsthand the tyranny and cruelty of the Empire. Now, he isn’t thinking of just himself but of the lives of countless innocents and the fate of the entire galaxy.
His instant connection to Leia is discernible, and even though we don’t learn until Empire Strikes Back the reasons why (and, let’s face it, it’s muddled, to say the least, in this film), it pushes him to put his life on the line to save another. He’s fearless in making these choices and doesn’t second guess them. Whether that’s due to simply not having the time to think them through, sheer bravery, or a combination of both, it’s a stark contrast to his once sheltered and singular way of seeing the world.
At this point regarding the Hero’s Journey, we’ve already witnessed Luke’s experiences with the ordinary world, the call to adventure, refusal of the call, meeting with the mentor, and crossing the threshold. Truthfully, Luke’s entire monomyth voyage spans over the course of all nine Star Wars films, but the core of it happens within A New Hope. This is a testament to intelligent writing, especially when considering that most of the subsequent movies weren’t even conceptualized at this point. Had this movie remained a standalone story, his arc would still be satisfying enough for viewers to feel he gained significant growth.
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We get our first true glimpse at the strength of the Force within Luke when he pilots the X-Wing to disable the Death Star’s exhaust port. Guided by the spirit of Obi-Wan, he can search inward and use it to lead him into making a calculated decision that destroys the Death Star.
This is, of course, “The Ordeal” in regards to the Hero’s Journey rules, though it won’t be the only time Luke must navigate through this particular step. This is why his arc spans decades but never feels stagnant or stale. There is continuous advancement from farm boy to rebel alliance leader to Jedi, with all of those helping to shape him into who he becomes through the collective movies.
Sometimes, it’s easy to forget where we started, came from, and who we once were. Humans live in the moment, casting aside the past to favor the here and now. Luke Skywalker and his development as a character prove that people can start from humble beginnings and still make significant strides in becoming who they are truly meant to be. Whether it’s fate, destiny, our own choices, or a mixture of all, it’s comforting to know that we all can shape our lives to be bigger than we could have imagined. We just have to take that first step.
