Ever wonder at the hidden meanings in Star Wars: The Force
Awakens? Here’s the lowdown. (Warning: Spoilers for those who’ve yet to enjoy
its magnificence)
Symbolism in The Force Awakens and Other Hypotheticals
On the surface Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the perfect
cash cow. As if Disney needed another, right? In today’s visual culture, what
better company to overtake a visually-stunning franchise than one making
animated classics for over the bulk of a century? Every waking hour the
millwheel of Instagram and Facebook churn out visuals whether it’s graphic
artistry, travel selfies or memes. It makes sense The Force Awakens was such a
blockbuster, bringing together new fans as well as the old. It’s got visuals
galore: spaceship chases, otherworldly planets, alien creatures, explosions,
lasers and lightsabers. But besides the oohs and ahhs, the film weaves a
tapestry of rich subtext with hidden symbols and dawning significance.
Let’s take a look at Rey’s character. She embodies the very
mystery that allures us to the Force. Rey represents the feminine mystique of
the captivating heroine, full of unanswered questions and surprises ahead. Upon
meeting BB-8, she even tells the droid (who’s carrying classified info) that
where she came from is also a “big secret.” We don’t know her history or her
origins, only that the Force is strong with her and we come to realize it the
same time she does. The good thing is, she uses the Force to combat the Dark
Side. Her very name “Rey” is a variation of a ray of light. In her white
clothing Rey battles the darkness that is Kylo Ren in his black cloak and cowl.
FN-2187, or Finn as he comes to be known, represents the smudge
on America’s history. The very faction he serves, the First Order with the
acronym F.O. (made to sound like ‘foe’), are the oppressive masters of the
galaxy. Finn is of African heritage and is enslaved by his white, stormtrooper
uniform. He grows a conscience and helps a fellow captive escape the shackles
of his former overlords.
Ben Solo a.k.a. Kylo Ren is perhaps the most prominent,
tragic symbol. He is a symbol of irony. In confronting Finn at the film’s end,
he yells “Traitor!” But the irony is, it was he who just betrayed his father
Han Solo. The very man he aspires to, his grandfather Vader, rhymes with “traitor.”
Spelling out Kylo Ren shows the same number of letters in “traitor.” His
t-shaped lightsaber is the “t” in “traitor.” It’s the cross he bears and it’s
no wonder the saber is red, with the backstabbing blood on his hands.
The abundance of symbolism and significance makes one wonder
what else is in store in the follow-up film. Will there be more Jedi? Perhaps
some of Luke’s other students of the Force escaped Kylo Ren’s wrath. Surely
there will be more Sith, as Kylo had his Knights. What about the mystery that
is Rey? Is she perhaps the granddaughter of Obi Wan? Did Obi Wan hide her
mother on the isolated planet of Jakku, not dissimilar to Tatooine where he hid
from the Empire and Darth Vader? Did the old Jedi neglect to tell Luke to keep
them safe and non-affiliated with the conflict? Will Lando show up to comfort
Chewie and assist the Resistance, much as he helped the Rebels in ROTJ? Will
Luke come out of hiding to train Rey to combat Kylo Ren? Lastly, will Luke use
his Force powers to battle the Sith rampant in the First Order? Victorious
Ewoks never felt so giddy.