The concept of a new hope in Episode 4 is a very influential concept and many blockbusters have
adopted this concept as a starting point for their own series of films. I will
argue in another post that this concept was preceded by the book The Lord of the Rings especially as it
relates to the structure of Episodes 4,
5 & 6. In terms of film however Episode
4 was the first to use this concept from the point of view of blockbuster
films especially as it explicitly stated that it was about a new hope for the
rebel alliance against the galactic empire. Many blockbuster films have also adopted the
approach of a new hope to jumpstart their own grand fictional tales of good vs.
evil. It is not just the concept but how it is utilized in terms of setting the
stage for another major confrontation between the rebel alliance and the
galactic empire which eventually leads to the destruction of the latter
(galactic empire).
Well they say that ‘hope springs eternal’ but that does not
mean that the spring does not dry up from time to time. In a lot of cases hope is
lost amidst the tumult of the establishment. The establishment represents the
coming together of various principles that govern the ways of people that are
within its sphere of influence. No matter which system of governance that
exists (democracy, oligarchy, tyranny etc) it will eventually stagnate under
the weight of expectations and demands. People will always call for change or a
change in the system or even for the destruction of the system. This sort of change means that there must be
a renewal of something or someone or that those voices or things that remained
hidden or buried are given a chance to come forward and stake their claim. When
those things or voices come forward to challenge the establishment then they
represent a new hope a force for good or change.
In Episode 4 the
Galactic Empire is firmly in control. It represents the establishment at its
peak. This is reinforced by its
capabilities of building the Death Star, a space station the size of a
moon; a space station capable of destroying entire planets with its firepower. It
is a weapon designed to smother all pockets of resistance. Without the Jedi
knights that have been mostly exterminated
with some exiled in a few cases
(Obi-Wan and Yoda), the rebel alliance hangs on a thread as it seeks to end the
chokehold of the galactic empire. The chokehold grows tighter particularly as
the Death Star is now operational. But
there is hope because a individual, a young man, that has the force flowing strongly through
his veins exists on the isolated planet
of Tatooine. His name is Luke Skywalker. We eventually learn that he is the son
of Anakin Skywalker who later became Darth Vader. Darth Vader is now second in
command of the Galactic Empire. He leads the fight against the rebel alliance.
On the planet of Tatooine also resides the aged Obi -Wan Kenobi one of the few
Jedi Knight that are alive but have been forced into exile. We eventually learn
that the princess, who has been captured by the empire, has asked Obi-Wan to deliver the plans of the
Death Star to the rebel alliance. The plans are in the droid R2-D2 who is
always accompanied by the other droid C-3PO. These droids were purchased by
Luke and his Uncle after they were captured by merchants while on their way to
find Obi-Wan. Luke is with Obi-Wan when he receives the message from the
princess. Obi Wan realizes that at his age he can no longer be as effective but
Luke Skywalker can represent a new hope because he is a young man with the
force flowing strongly through his veins. The Jedi Knights can come to the
forefront again to challenge the Sith lords Vader and the Emperor. We also
learn later on that Leia is Luke’s twin sister and the force flows strongly
through her as well.
Eventually Luke is on his way with Obi-wan for the beginning
of a new adventure. He also meets Han Solo and Chewbacca who eventually play
important roles for the rebel alliance in their fight against the galactic empire.
Luke eventually fires the all important blasts, using the ways of the force,
which destroys the Death Star thereby giving some breathing space from the
choke hold of the galactic empire. It is clear then that Luke Skywalker and his
team represent a new hope for the rebel alliance. Once submerged and isolated
on tatooine Skywalker now represents the promise for a great future where the
Jedi Knights can reclaim their place as the representatives of the force for
good. It will also give hope to the
rebel alliance especially because when the republic thrived before the rise of the
empire the Jedi were the primary protectors of the peace. In Episode
4 they are now seen as representative of a long dead religion as the force
of the Sith lords have taken charge. Now the Jedi have a chance, through young
Skywalker, to put an end to that. In Episode
4 a small step was taken with the destruction of the Death Star. It did not
put an end to the Galactic Empire but it was significant nonetheless.
Well I watched Man of
Steel (2013)recently and the concept
of a new hope was firmly embedded in that film. It’s the first time that we
hear that the “S” on his chest is really a symbol of hope. Hmmm, a new hope
perhaps? In that film he literally emerged from the shadows having been submerged for so long. I think he
came to prominence at the same age that Jesus did, 30. In Batman Begins (2005) Batman is also a force of good that comes
along out of nowhere to challenge the corrupt establishment in Gotham City. In The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003) the
hobbits represent a new hope in taking down
Sauron by destroying the one ring of power. I have no issues with these films applying the
concept of a new hope but in terms of blockbuster films Episode 4 was the first to explicitly use that as a basis to launch
a series of blockbuster films in the Star
Wars series that would forever alter popular culture. Most blockbuster
films use the formula of having someone emerging from the shadows to challenge
the establishment. Heroes have been doing that for centuries. Along came……. to challenge
so and so. Goes to show that Lucas understood how effective this was as a basis for
launching a tale of heroism in such a grand, blockbuster kind of way. Lucas
deserves a lot of credit by saying in very explicit terms that the events in Episode 4 represent a new hope.
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