Ideology Analysis on Star Wars

This essay will explores ideological messages in the film Star Wars (Star Wars
episode 3 Revenge of The Sith, 2005), and other Star Wars films within the Star Wars
universe. Ideologies are beliefs, and as such are not always totally rational, logic or
proven by empirical evidence or proof. They are also emotive – and often come into
conflict with one another – communism versus fascism versus capitalism versus
liberalism etc. Ideologies are also a set of ideas and attitudes that strongly influence the
way people behave.
One of the most obvious ideological messages that we see in the films Star Wars
is the idea of Sci-Fi and ships in space. This is one of the most important settings of the
films , which is based on times when technology are very advanced compare to the reality
of the technology advancement now. The idea of Sci-Fi and ships in space by producer
George Lucas is very imaginative and very unrealistic, one of the most unrealistic we can
see from the films is the idea of space ship could travel in the speed of light or we can
called as ‘hyper space mode’, this hyper space mode in Star Wars enable ships to travel
between star system. This definitely could not happen in reality, based on scientific
points of view objects that travel through the speed of light or hyper space mode would
have been vanish.
One of the most notable ships in Star Wars are the empire Star Ship Destroyer
which we can see in the final part of the film where Darth Vader , one of the notable
villains are in the ship observing the construction of another notable elements in Star
Wars which is the ‘Death Star’ . The Death Star is a star ship space station which shaped
like a planet, and has the firepower capable of completely destroying a planet with a
single shot ( Vaz and Hata , 1994 ,p.26). The Death Star is so huge that it could held
27,048 officers, 774,576 crew (including troopers, pilots and officials), 400,000 support
workers and over 25,000 Imperial storm troopers. These represent minimum crew
figures, and the station could probably hold several times this number. It also carried
assault shuttles, Skipray Blast boats, strike cruisers, drop ships, land vehicles, such as

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AT-ATs (1400 of them), and AT-STs (1400 of them, too, though the number could be
bigger) and support ships as well as 7,200 TIE fighters (Vaz and Hata,1994,p.27).

Another important concept in the films is the creatures or we as human beings

called them as ‘aliens’. In Star Wars we came across lots of different creatures, there was
a scene when Jedi master Obi Wan Kenobi when he was sent to a planet called Utapau ,
where its ‘people or civilization’ are a space creatures where their neck are extremely
long and their skin are in purple colors and speak in a funny tone of voice. One of the
most notable creatures in the Star Wars universe is Chewbacca who also called as a
Wookiee , Chewbacca is a creatures that we can see similar to a monkey or an ape,
Chewbacca stood over two meters tall and had a coat of ginger-brown fur ( Mangels,1995 p.30).
This concept of creatures in Star Wars gave us the messages that George Lucas are trying
to tell us that we are not alone in the universe, and also the fact that the universe is big it
do not only consists of what we called as the ‘solar system’, the universe consists of lots
of different planet and also different types of living creatures other than us “human
beings”.

The second ideological message that we can see from the film Star Wars is the
idea of the Jedi knight. The Jedi are philosophical keepers of the peace of an ancient and
noble monastic organization from the Star Wars saga, known for their talent in using and
manipulate of The Force. Jedi Knights have served to protect peace and justice
throughout the galaxy for over a thousand generations (The Jedi internet
encyclopedia).The concept and ideas of the Jedi Knight can be related to the idea of King
Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table; they too protect the peace and justice of the
people and the kingdom. They even has a Knight code that all knights must follow, such
as to give mercy for others and to flee treason. Back to the Jedi, a Jedi are able to use the
living things around them to manipulate the Force and wielding their signature weapons
the light sabers. Becoming a Jedi is not easy in Star Wars saga , becoming a Jedi requires
the most profound commitment and astute mind, as Jedi instruction is rigidly structured
and codified to enforce discipline and hinder transgression (Brooks , 1998 p.149). This
means in order to become Jedi ones not only needs clear and astute minds but also a very

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good self discipline. In the code of the Jedi, they are restricted from getting married. The
main reason for this is because Jedi are forbidden to form emotional attachments.
In contrast to this, the main character of the film Anakin Skywalker goes against
the rule, instead he get married with Chancellor Padme Amidala of Naboo in Star Wars
episode 2. Because of the emotional attachment between them, Anakin love her too much
and afraid of losing her. All this started when Anakin have dreams of her dying in child
birth. Master Yoda warned Anakin to beware of all his feeling of afraid of losing,
because all this leads to the dark side of the force. But Anakin could not resists from the
seduction of Chancellor Palpatine later revealed as the emperor of dark Jedi knight Lord
Sidious . He seduced Anakin by telling him that he could teach Anakin how to use the
dark side of the force to save Padme from dying, in the end we see the fall of a galaxy
hero Anakin Skywalker to a dark Jedi called as ‘Darth Vader’ who later destroyed the
Jedi council and haunt down all living Jedi, except for Master Yoda and Obi-Wan-
Kenobi.
The codes of the Jedi are the fundamental code of The Jedi Council, just like the
Knights code of King Arthur and The Knights of the Round Table. The code determine
how things are done in the Jedi Council, in others words we could also called it as the
core values in the Jedi Council. Speaking of the Jedi Council, the Jedi council is a central
political entity; the Jedi council was eventually responsible for law enforcement and
peacekeeping in the Galactic Republic (Star Wars Internet databank).The Jedi Council
could only have twelve members at a time, in the film we can see Master Yoda, Master
Mace Windu and Obi-Wan Kenobi are three of the twelve members of the council. The
codes of the Jedi are there is no emotion; there is peace followed by there is no
ignorance; there is knowledge, there is no passion; there serenity, there is no death;
there is the force (Star Wars Internet databank).

The force another important element in Star Wars that must be discuss. The force
is an incorporeal energy field that is generated by all living organisms and permeates the
universe and all things within (The Jedi internet encyclopedia). The Force as described by
Obi-Wan Kenobi: "It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together." Some

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groups believe the Force is nothing more than a tool available to some to make their lives
easier with all the power they have such as developed skills in telekinesis(reaction), mind
control, enhanced physical abilities, and the ability to foresee future events, just like what
Master Yoda able to sense Anakin Skywalker future in episode one, by saying he sense
suffering in the boy future. Others view the Force in a more symbolic light. The Jedi
Order in Star Wars for instance divides the Force into two dimensions, the Light and the
Dark Side (The Jedi internet encyclopedia). The light side of the Force is its elegance and
beauty restricts the feeling of fear, jealousy and hatred. The dark side of the Force in the
opposite of the light side is the element aligned with fear, hatred, aggression, and
malevolence; this side of the Force seems more powerful, though it is just more tempting
to those that can touch upon the power as it doesn't impose any restrictions on its use. In
argument to this Master Yoda stated in the films Star Wars episode 3 that, it is not more
powerful but the path to it is much easier. In the Dark side of the force have the powers of
producing lightning bolt or thunder waves like what we see in the film when Chancellor
Palpatine or Darth Sidious producing lightning waves to kill Jedi Master Mace Windu.
But the lightning waves is ineffective against Master Yoda , we can see this when Master
Yoda absorb back the power waves produce by Darth Sidious and counter it back on him.
So it will be fair to say that the power between both sides is balance.

George Lucas often compared the light and dark sides to the processes of
symbiosis and cancer (The Jedi internet encyclopedia). A follower of the light side tries
to live in harmony with those around him. Mutual trust, respect, and the ability to form
alliances give the Jedi their distinct advantage over the Sith. In contrast, a follower of the
dark side is only interested in him- or herself. We can see the differences of the two sides
very clearly on how Anakin after being seduced by Chancellor Palpatine kill and destroy
everyone in the Jedi temple and he even slaughtered youngling (Galactic Basic slang for
children) without any hesitation. Just like what Palpatine asked him to do by saying “Do
not hesitate to use your anger and only then you will be strong enough to gain the power
to save Padme”. As compared to the light force where we can see Anakin before his
transaction to Darth Vader and his master Obi-Wan-Kenobi doing justice and protecting

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the peace of the galaxy by trying to save Chancellor Palpatine from the hands of another
Dark Jedi Count Dooku and General Greivious .

The Dark side of the force has also their own Jedi code just like what the light
force has. The codes start with Peace is a lie; there is only passion, through passion I
gain strength, through strength I gain power, through power I gain victory, through
victory my chains are broken. The force shall free me (J.D.Wiker, 2001, pg.143). From
the code we can the see Dark side of the force are the more negative and unethical side
compare to the Light side. It is largely based on emotions and passion rather than peace
and serenity which are preached by the light side of the Force. The Dark Side of the
Force comes from the hate, anger, fear, aggression, vengeance, and malice in all living
things (J.D.Wiker, 2001, pg.143). The use of lies and manipulation also are a signature
style of the Dark Side , as what Master Yoda stated in the film , the Sith always use lies
to manipulate and create confusion to the force . The seduction of Anakin to the Dark
Side may be also played by the lies created by Chancellor Palpatine , he told Anakin that
he have the power to prevent death , but in the film we do not see how he use this power
and he never teach Anakin the power that he was referring.

The dark side of the force should be compared to existentialism. Existentialism is

a philosophical movement which claims that individual human beings have full
responsibility for creating the meanings of their own lives (Appignanesi.et.al.2001), all
this are being shared by the Dark Force as well. Other similarities between the two beliefs
include awareness of death, and the absence of peace due to the role emotion played in
their lives. Existentialism focus on anger and despair, and all these aspects can be define
a Dark Jedi or a Sith Lord such as Anakin Skywalker in the film. In final part of the film
after he have killed all the Separatist army in the Mustafa system, he told his wife Padme
to follow his path and told her that he is becoming a stronger Jedi that he could ever
imagine, and explained to her that he could overthrown the emperor (Chancellor
Palpatine) and make things both of them wanted. Fortunately Padme did not follow
Anakin’s path, after refusing Anakin, Anakin killed her due to his anger by strangling her
using his force power. There was a saying in the Dark Force; fear is the path to the Dark

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Side, fears leads to anger, anger leads to hatred, and Hatred leads to suffering (J.D.Wiker,
2001, pg.145).

As comparing the Dark Side of the force to Existentialism, the Light force could
be compare to the principles of Buddhism. One of the main concepts of Buddhism is that
in order to escape the suffering of life, one must cease their cravings or passions. Only by
not craving or wanting anything can you be at peace. Buddhism promotes wisdom, and
the doing of good. All of these are teachings are similar to what a Jedi learned. Even a
Jedi can be compared to a Buddhist monk, both of them have similarities. Firstly a Jedi
and a monk are being restricted from emotional attachment, they are not allowed to get
married, and they must always have a peace of mind, anger and craving for power are
also not from the teaching of both the Jedi and a Buddhist monk. Just like what we can
see from Master Yoda from the film, he never show anger in the film or fear even though
all his pupils and apprentice are all being killed by Anakin, he always have a cool and
calm personality even when he is battling the emperor (Chancellor Palpatine) in the final
part of the film. He also did not have any sense or feeling for more power unlike Anakin
and Chancellor Palpatine. Therefore he showed a very good example of what a Light
Force Jedi should be.

In conclusion, there are many ideological messages that we can adapt from the
film Star Wars. Many of the aspects and elements of the film could link to real life, such
as the Light Force of the Jedi can be link to Buddhism and the Dark Side of the force can
be link to Existentialism. In my opinion the main struggle of the films Star Wars are the
Light side against the Dark side of the force, and also the core values and how things are
done between the two sides, also the ideology differences between the both, and finally
the ethnicity of the two sides. Another important message that we can get from the film is
certainly the idea of ships in space and space creatures. These surely tells us that the
universe is very big and maybe there are peoples or creatures that are similar to us that
actually existed now or a long time ago , and also are more technologically advanced than
us.

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 Reference List

Andy Mangels, the "Chewbacca" entry, info box; Star wars: the essential guide to
characters, pg 30, 1st edition published November 1995.

Brooks, Terry "Episode 1: The Phantom Menace",pg 149, Lucas Books and Del Rey
1998.

J.D. Wiker, Star Wars Role-playing Game: Power of the Jedi Sourcebook (hardcover;
Wizards of the Coast, 2001),

Star Wars Internet Databank. Retrieved May 13, 2007 from

http://www.starwars.com/databank/

The Jedi Internet Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 13, 2007 from

http://www.thejediencyclopedia.com/main.html

Vatz , M and Hata , S 1994, From Star Wars to Indiana Jones , The best of Lucas Films
Archives , Raincoats book , Canada.

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