1. The movie opens with a battle scene. Darth Vader is looking for something. What is he looking for, and what has happened to it?
A: Darth Vader is looking for some plans. I assume that those plans are from the rebels. Later we find out that the plans were taken away by R2-D2 when they go on the emergency shuttle to the other planet.
2. At the beginning of the movie, what does Luke Skywalker want to do? What is holding him back?
A: When they hear the message brought by R2-D2, Luke is desperate to go and help Princess Leia (not knowing that they are siblings). The only thing that is keeping him from going is his uncle. Later his uncle gets killed and he flees.
3. Who do we find out Ben Kenobi really is?
A: Ben Kenobi is actually Obi-Wan Kenobi, an ex Jedi Master.
4. How does Ben describe “The Force” to Luke?
A: Ben describes "The Force" as the most incredible thing in the galaxy because it binds it together. Also, he says that it is the force that gives power to the Jedis. Also, an energy field created by all living things.
5. How does Luke Skywalker mature during the story? What is the main event that triggered this change?
A: There are many factors that influence Luke's maturity. The destruction of hid home along with the death of his family members pushes him to be a man. Later on in the story, he wants to become a Jedi and learn the ways of the Force.
6. In what ways is Star Wars similar to other stories we have read this year such as The Epic of Gilgamesh and Siddhartha?
A: Luke, Siddhartha, and Gilgamesh have one similar aspect. In the beginning, they are all people that live a perfect life and are protected. The three of them decide to go in an adventure to reach something more powerful than the material goods they have. Luke goes off to be a Jedi, Siddhartha begins his quest to reach Nirvana, and Gilgamesh is determined to reach immortality one way or another.
7. How does Luke follow the “Hero’s Adventure” as described by Joseph Campbell? What physical or spiritual deeds does he perform? Where in the film does he experience a literal or figurative death and resurrection?
A: Luke "dies and resurrects" when his entire family is killed in the attack and then he goes off to have his adventure. This is the valuable transformation that a hero undergoes. He goes from being a immature boy to an independent man during his adventure. He is finally able to understand the Force, that later it's used. Towards the end of the movie. Luke underwent another death-resurrection moment when Obi-Wan is killed by Vader. He "dies" because he has another great loss in his life. Later, he "resurrects" because he can feel that Obi-Wan can still talk to him. In my opinion, that makes him even a stronger hero.
8. How does Star Wars attempt to answer the following: Who are we? Where are we going? How did we get here? Why are we here? What happens to us when we die?
A: We are the people that make the Force and we make it what it is. We are the midpoint between two opposites (light and dark, good and evil, etc.) and we will always be the victims of the contradictions of both ends. We got here by destiny because we make the force so that is the only explanation as to how we got here (according to Star Wars). We are here because we are part of the force; we are the most important part of the force because our behavior is the source of the force. Our body disappears but our spiritual part stays forever within the force.
