The Star Wars series and its effect on pop culture.

Josh Laskowski
Sep 7, 2018 · 4 min read

SCOM 210 Week 2

Star Wars has been influencing people for over three generations now. Whether they are part of the original trilogy, the prequel trilogy or the current trilogy. Because of the massive fan base of the Star Wars saga, there are constant messages, opinions, and beliefs impressed into pop culture. This blog exists for two main reasons. One, I was assigned to write a blog for class. Two, because I am a major Star Wars fan and I want to see how Star Wars effects the culture.

Every movie series reflects societies culture in one sense or another. I have been a fan of Star Wars ever since I was a child. Star Wars has shaped a large part of my life. When I was a child I was obsessed with opening and closing automatic doors with the wave of my hand. I found myself quoting the chracters, dressing like them, and even talking like them. Today, I see kids (and adults) walking through life through the lens of the Star Wars universe in one sense or another. I believe that Star Wars represents several different values and worldviews. The first and most obvious belief is the idea of all people being free. Three whole movies are dedicated to an entire galaxy is fighting in a massive civil war. People from all sorts of different backgrounds are a fighting for the rights of the individual's freedom. Luke Skywalker, our humble moisture farmer, Princess Leia Organa, the independent royalty, Han Solo, the smuggling scoundrel, and far too many other people that could be mentioned in this post. Another value that Star Wars promotes is the idea of individuality or what the series calls, rebellion. Each one of the man characters chooses to reject the stereotype of their occupations. Skywalker grew up in a small town and farmed his whole childhood. But he ends up leaving that lifestyle of simplicity and ignorance to become a powerful space guru (Jedi master). Princess Leia, who would be presumed as a pompous woman that relies on her subjects to complete tasks, has now become a staple character in the feminist community. Even Han Solo rejects the concept of being a cold-hearted smuggler to lead as a general in the war. Additionally, Star Wars promotes the idea of redemption. Darth Vader, the main antagonist of the original trilogy, is the ideal villain. There are two full movies dedicated to showing how evil and cold this man is. However, despite the attempts to show that Darth Vader is a lost cause, at the end of the third movie he repents of his ways and saves the galaxy. Redeeming antagonists is further promoted in the current movie series with the character Kylo Ren. Even though that particular story arc is not finished yet one can already see in the films that the character is trying to find redemption. Even though there are dozens of different values promoted and open to interpretation, freedom, individuality, and redemption are prominent values that Star Wars displays.

It is no stretch of the imagination that popular culture adores Star Wars. People from anywhere in the world can agree that these three values are worthy of admiration. The idea of freedom is a universal concept that every person desires in one regard or another. The American dream is based on freedom. If it is a veteran that has battled for freedom, a young adult experiencing life on his or her own, or even a child naively speaking out against its “oppressive” parents. Star Wars allows one to enjoy expressing his own self. As individuals, it is for one to relate to each of these characters as they break away from stereotypes. Everyone loves to be a “rebel” and be their own person. Finally, I believe pop culture loves the idea of redeeming a character or group. One reason why they enjoy redemption is as a culture we have always been the bad guy in one situation or another. Although some may argue, we all are able to relate to the antagonist of a story in one sense or another. Therefore, to have a character that is far eviler (yes, eviler is a word) than you or me being restored and welcomed back in society is incredible. Because having someone truly evil redeemed gives us the perspective to believe that I can be forgiven too.

When the first Star Wars movie came out it completely changed the dynamic of society. Because of the hold that Star Wars now has on society, Hollywood will make sure that the Star Wars saga will stay always have a hold on the people because Star Wars will adapt to its fanbase. Even though it is very clear that I will more than likely only have two people reading this blog (you know who you are…) I am very excited to research and write about the Star Wars series.