The American Romantics: the Jedis.
Romanticism emphasizes the elevation of the humble and the common man: in Star Wars, Luke Skywalker came from humble beginnings and was raised as a moisture farmer on a desert planet. He went on to become a powerful jedi master.
Rejoicing of nature: A major theme in Star Wars is the superiority of nature over technology. The Jedi strive to live in harmony with nature. They use technology but they do not rely on it as much as the rely on senses and feelings. On the other hand, those on the dark-side are very technologically dependent. Darth Vader is very machinne like; he has robotic limbs and relies on built-in life support. In one Star Wars scene, the Ewoks defeat the technologically advanced imperial troopers with sticks, stones, arrows and spears.
The oversoul in transcendentalsim unites everyone and everything: the force in Star Wars. The Force in Star Wars is omnipresent and bindsthe universe and everything and everyone together.
Do you see any more characteristics of the romantic period in Star Wars? or in any other movies?
- Julie S.
5 comments:
I believe this is a terrific correlation between American media and Romanticism, and shows how the ideology still influences our culture today. I think that Star Wars is far from an original plot, rather an amalgamation of several common and rather tired motifs and themes that are ever present in film and literature (humble beginnings, death of parents, rising to be the hero, becoming what you were meant to be, etc). Many of these tired plot ideas do come from romanticism, however. The oversoul/force connection is fair as well, I'm not sure if it is present in everything but it definitely unites the Jedis like the oversoul does in the transcendentalist lifestyle. I think the dominance over nature point is slightly off since Star Wars was a special effects heavy movie that focused on space technology for many of its centerpiece scenes, though there is an element of nature in the Ewoks as you mentioned. I think the main point, however, is how the ideas of romantic literature are still prevalent in our world today and seem almost eternal. The movement may have died, but it has left its imprint on popular culture.
I'd say that I certainly agree that Star Wars and Romanticism share most connections, however one of the concepts you mentioned does not stem directly from Romanticism but rather from even older movements. Mainly the idea of the force or transcendental universe. This mainly derives from eastern philosophies and religions. Romanticism got inspired by these philosophies. It seems more likely to me that Lucas and the Romantic thinkers got inspired by the idea of a hidden connection from eastern religions independently, rather than Lucas having been inspired by the Romantic regurgitation of the concept.
Not being terribly familiar with Star Wars, I cannot really comment on the references to it made here. However when I read the first post of Julie's I noted that the concepts she mentioned are also present in Harry Potter. For instance, the idea of the oversoul. In Potter this can be represented by the binding power of love that unites all of the Order and that the Dark Side lacks. It is the recurring theme in its ability to unite those who accept it and defeat those that reject it. It, like the Force, is omnipresent and relates to everything, all aspects of life and the War.
There is also the Romantic idea of the common man being raised to lofty heights with Harry's life. Orphaned as an infant and unloved by anyone he knew as a child, he still grew up to be the justice-defending hero that he was destined to be.
In the ways of transcendentalism, the way Harry's interpretation of the prophecy becomes self-fulfilling in a way is much like the way that transcendentalists believed that imagining something could make it be.
I also think that, like Mr. Lazarow said, we can find Romantic elements in almost anything because people will always like romanticism. It is very hopeful and optimistic. I feel that this is shown quite nicely in Potter because even though he must face many hardships and difficulties everything still works out in the end like it should.
~Olivia
As Alex was saying a lot of Star Wars is derived eastern philosphy primarily with regard to the force. Anakin Skywalker is the chosen one- he will bring balance to the force, balance good and evil (yin and yang). Taoist philosophy and Zen Buddhism are the major influences in Star Wars which emphasize the flow of the Qi originating from a balance of the Yin and Yang forces in all manifestations of life especially in nature.
The force is similar to the oversoul of the transcendentalists becuase it is the unifying force throughout the universe.
These philosophies also focus on the individual and one's place in the universe. Anakin was also from humble beginnings and was discovered by Obi-wan who saw his greatness.
However, as it has been said, technology plays a large role in the movie- even taking on human characteristics in the forms of R2D2 and C3PO.
-Kelsey
I also see a connection between Star Wars and the end of Romanticism/beginning of Realism. In the first Star Wars, Anakin fantasizes about becoming a jedi and believes Jedi battles to awesome (symbolizing romanticism). However once he enters into battles himself he witnesses death and killing first hand and begins to see the world as it really is (realism). This switch from the good side to the dark side is a great analogy to the switch from Romanticism to realism.
-Tyler H
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