Tad Dreis

I’ve been thinking about it a long time, and I think from now on, I’m going to focus less on my music, and more on the Star Wars film series.

I’d like to begin with a discussion of the underlying themes found in Star Wars. In Episode IV Obi-wan first explains the dichotomy of good and evil encompassed in the Force. He tells Luke that “For over a thousand generations the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic.” Then moments later he contrasts the jedi with the actions of Darth Vader: “He betrayed and murdered your father. Now the Jedi are all but extinct. Vader was seduced by the dark side of the Force.” Little other doctrine is expounded on in Episode IV, nevertheless, the violent nature of Darth Vader is viewed in contrast with the mostly passive behavior of Obi-wan Kenobi.

Star Wars stresses the self-destructive nature of fear, anger, hate, selfishness, and lust for power. In Episode I, Yoda summarizes stating, “Fear is the path to the dark side: fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.” Patience, discipline, humility, monasticism, respect for one’s elders, peace with one’s self, trust in things spiritual over things physical, and self-sacrifice are extolled as virtues. However, a stoic position of setting aside personal feelings for others in order to bring about a greater good is also emphasized. For example, Luke Skywalker is told to remain on Dagobah to complete his training rather than rescue his friends from Cloud City, because doing so will “destroy all for which they have fought and suffered.”