Secrets of the Force
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| Title: | Secrets of the Force |
| Creator: | Nancy Duncan |
| Date(s): | July 1980 |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | Star Wars |
| Topic: | |
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Secrets of the Force is a 1980 long, detailed essay by Nancy Duncan.
It was published in Against the Sith #8 a few months after the release of The Empire Strikes Back. The topic of the essay was the plot twist in that movie.
Excerpts
Long ago when STAR WARS was still young, I remember wondering if the Force would ever develop something more than just a rather neat SF- Fantasy gimmick to move the story along. Lo and Behold! The Force has moved out of the shadows and into major element status in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. In fact, one could almost venture to say that the Force has become the 'central 'character' in the STAR WARS SAGA.
How has the Force developed since STAR WARS? Since Luke Skywalker is the central human character through which we ourselves learn the answers, let's begin with Luke. Luke has come a long way in the interim between the battle of Yavin IV and Both. When we first find him in danger in EMPIRE, Luke displays remarkable telekinetic powers to save himself from the Wampa Ice Creature. Telekinesis is the power to move objects at will. Luke concentrates and 'calls' his lightsaber into his hand. From the fast thinking and confidence he displays/ it seems apparent that Luke has done this trick before.
So, even though Ben is no longer with him, Luke had enough raw power and discipline to learn quite a lot on his own. Jedi, therefore can be partially self-taught using the force himself.
Luke fought his battle alone. He had no fellow Jedi to fall back on, no aid from his mentor this time, no staunch companions or plucky heroines. Luke was even alone in his decision to do what he had to do.
Luke must continue now with uncertainty. His faith in Ben and Yoda is shaken. Friends are dead (fellow rebels), and missing (Han). Leia, whom he might have loved, is not for him now. Vader's startling revelation repulsed him, threatened his identity, wounded his psyche. Luke will have to reassess what he is, why he is, and what he should do.
Despite all of this at the conclusion of EMPIRE, we see confidence on Luke's face. His physical and spiritual strength are renewed. As Leia gazes sadly out the viewport, Luke places a comforting arm around her. After all he's been through, he comforts her. Because the Force is with him, faith and trust have not aban doned him. Alone against the greatest evil in the galaxy, Luke said, "no". He cannot be certain of the future, or whether he will be able to face Vader again, but he knows one thing. Where he was most vulnerable, most susceptible—he did not fail.