Luke Skywalkers: An Analysis Of The Hero's Journey

You know my favourite part of being a teenager, is the movies I get to watch. Whether it be an old classic film or a new release, we’re prepared for the excitement, uncertainty, and, eventually, the triumph of the film. When movies follow this structure that we expect, we’re fulfilled. This is how archetypes work.

Carl Jung is credited with developing the concept of archetypes to explain that there were universal patterns in all stories regardless of culture or the historical period (REFERENCE). He believed that part of the human mind contained a collective unconscious shared by all members of the human species (REFERENCE). Academic, Joseph Campbell refined Jung’s theory of an archetype and applied it to a more specific narrative form.

So, what exactly is the ‘Hero’s Journey’? Well, the answer lies in Joseph Campbell’s book “The Hero with A Thousand Faces.” Back in the early 20th century, Campbell studied myths from all over the world and he started noticing something similar in all the stories. He noticed that heroines and heroes from every time period were taking more or less the same journey.

Therefore, Luke Skywalker is constructed by George Lucas, as a hero, which is demonstrated through his actions of ensuring that the Rebels prevail over the Empire. Reinforcing Campbell’s theory of ‘the Hero’s Journey’, Luke Skywalker is an atypical hero, as he does not challenge the traditional role of a hero and effortlessly displays the true values of a real hero. The timeless values of self-respect, persistence, courage that Luke Skywalker portrays is the reason why his character is so adored by audiences. Luke shows heroism in all aspects of his character and is especially prominent in the final stages of the movie. Here, Luke rescues the princess and destroys the Death Star. Ultimately both his tasks were achieved, allowing his character to uphold the heroic