Change

Main Character Resolve

After years of following other people’s advice, Luke finally decides to ignore his superior’s commands to use the targeting computer and does it the way he (and Obi Wan) thinks is best.

Stop

Main Character Growth

Luke must stop testing his readiness and listening to others’ advice so that he may trust in himself.

Do-er

Main Character Approach

Luke is frequently acting first, thinking later.  He chases after R2D2 into dangerous parts of the Tatooine desert and gets captured by the Sand People; he rushes to rescue Princess Leia without a plan of escape; he blasts the shield door closed and strands Leia and himself on a ledge without an escape route; etc.

Male

Main Character Mental Sex

Luke is extremely goal (and results) oriented.

Action

Story Driver

It is the Empire’s creation of the Death Star that forces the Rebellion to confront the Empire directly; it is the Empire’s boarding of the Councilor’s ship that forces Leia to send the plans with R2D2 and C3P0; it is R2D2’s run into the desert with the vital holographic message that joins Luke and Obi Wan and convinces Obi Wan to end his days as a hermit; it is the Stormtroopers barbecuing of Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru that sways Luke’s decision to join forces with Obi Wan; it is the presence of the Stormtroopers in the Cantina that influences Han to take Obi Wan’s group to the Alderaan system; etc.

Optionlock

Story Limit

There are only so many places that the Rebel forces can be hiding.  It does not matter how long it takes the Empire to find the Rebel base, but once they do the showdown must occur.

Success

Story Outcome

The Death Star is destroyed by the Rebellion which allows the Rebellion to find another safe haven from the Empire (until the sequels).

Good

Story Judgment

Luke becomes a hero.

Physics

Overall Story Throughline

Star Wars is about a war between the Empire and the Rebellion.  There is not any set place where this needs to take place, but is an exploration of the feints, attacks, and battles that occur between the two forces.

Doing

Overall Story Concern

The Empire is building the Death Star and searching for the location of the Rebels; the Rebels are attempting to keep their location secret and are trying to transport the plans of the Death Star to their home base; etc.

Skill

Overall Story Issue

The entire war between the Rebellion and the Empire is a match between skills and experience.  The Empire has a great deal of experience in quashing upstart groups, but its skills at doing so are rusty.  The Rebellion, which has far less experience, is made up of great numbers of raw talent like Luke.  This is counterpointed by the conflict between Obi Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader.

Experience

Overall Story Counterpoint

Experience marks the true distinction between who can take care of themselves and who can’t—as when Han laughs at the idea of an inexperienced pilot like Luke buying his own spaceship to fly to Alderaan.  Experience is very advantageous in this story.

Overall Story Thematic Conflict
Skill vs.Experience

Although skills are important and no one can get by without them in this galaxy, there is no substitute for experience.  When skills become tempered by experience, either in tests by fire or in experience with the mystical Force, then those skills become even more effective.  A faith in Skills, for example the Empire’s faith in their own skill at designing the Death Star, will always be undermined if it comes into conflict with those who put their faith in experience.

Test

Overall Story Problem

The Empire tests its growing powers by attacking Senator Organa’s ship and abducting her after they suspect she is transporting stolen data about the Empire’s secret new planet-killing weapon. This causes trouble for the Rebellion, since Leia is an important ally and is transporting the stolen data to the Rebels. This causes trouble for the Empire because it forces the Empire to go public with its plans of domination earlier than expected. It is arguable that the Empire’s intent was to locate the rebel base and use their base as the test for their new weapon and to announce to the rest of the universe that they are taking over. All troubles seem to grow from that, including the need to destroy Alderaan while attempting to blackmail information from Senator Organa, completely destroying the secrecy of their new weapon. Rather than trusting in the design and efficiency of the Death Star, the Empire determines it must have a test run on Alderaan—this clues Princess Leia, Obi Wan and subsequently the Rebellion, as to the terrifying nature of what they are facing.  This also allows the Rebellion forces to prepare for the worst which is the Empire’s undoing.  The Rebellion, on the other hand, does not fully trust their information about the Empire’s secret weapon and tests its accuracy by waiting until they actually have the plans in their hands.  Had they trusted their initial reports they could have moved the base and remained out of the Empire’s reach.

Trust

Overall Story Solution

The Empire finally trusts in the accuracy of the information about the location of the Rebel base and the power of the Death Star, and now that the Rebel base is within reach….  Meanwhile, the Rebel forces must trust in the accuracy of the Death Star plans, the skills of their warriors, and of course “the Force.”

Cause

Overall Story Symptom

What caused the emergency pod to eject from the Councilor’s ship?  What caused R2D2 to run away?  Who caused the death of the Jawas?  What caused the fight at the Cantina?  What caused the destruction of the Jedi Knights?  What was the source of the disturbance in the Force?  Where is the source of the tractor beam that is holding them captive on the Death Star?  Where is the power source for the Imperial trash compactor? Etc.

Effect

Overall Story Response

The efforts to find and destroy the robots and all that have had contact with them; making an example out of Alderaan by obliterating it; escaping after the tractor beam is cutoff; making the escape from the Death Star appear to be legit (but the Empire is tracking them); the effects of drugs and torture on the Princess to find the location of the Rebel base; the firepower of the Death Star as a deterrent; etc.

Wisdom

Overall Story Catalyst

When the Gran Mof Tarkin understands that Princess Leia has the information as to the whereabouts of the Rebel base but cannot be tortured or tricked into revealing its location, he allows her to escape so that she can be followed; studying the plans of the Death Star reveals one potential Achilles’ heel which the Rebellion uses to guide its small attack force; etc.

Thought

Overall Story Inhibitor

Tarkin gives Leia time to think over his offer, which stalls slows down Takin’s efforts for a short time.

Learning

Overall Story Benchmark

The Empire learns how to find the location of the Rebel base—intimidation, torture, and destruction of Alderaan do not get them any closer, whereas the appearance of a lack of skilled fighters (the TIE fighter attack) gets them what they want; the training of a Jedi Knight; etc.

Additional Overall Story Information →

Overall Story Throughline Synopsis

Rebels have stolen the plans of The Empire’s new planet killing weapon, the Death Star.  The Empire will stop at nothing to recover the stolen plans, find the rebel base, and destroy it.

Overall Story Backstory

An evil Empire has won control of the galaxy, tightening its tyrannical grip until a popular rebellion is born.  Leaders in this rebellion live according to the old philosophy which used to be championed by the Jedi knights.  Now the Jedi are practically extinct and the rebellion is in dire straits.  The rebellion’s brightest ray of hope as Star Wars begins is that rebel agents have just stolen the plans to the Empire’s new battle station the Death Star.  The war has had an effect on both sides already as the story begins:  both the Empire and the Rebellion are feeling tested in the sense that their recent failures make them unsure of themselves.  This war is where the Objective Story problem comes from.

Universe

Main Character Throughline

Luke is a whiny farm boy who has tremendous amounts of unrealized potential because his father was a Jedi Knight.

Progress

Main Character Concern

Luke is constantly concerned with how things are going—“At this rate I’ll never get off this rock!”  He is impatient, never satisfied with how things are progressing.  Once he gets off of Tatooine, he then is concerned with how long it will take for him to become a Jedi Knight—the progress of his training.  When Obi Wan gets sliced by Darth Vader, he is bummed because his lessons are over (and, he cares about Ben/Obi Wan too).  When they get to the Rebel base, he is concerned about how preparations are going and eventually the Rebels’ progress in its attack on the Death Star.

Fantasy

Main Character Issue

Balancing fact and fantasy is a constant issue with Luke.  According to his Uncle Owen, Luke’s father was a freighter pilot—but Obi-Wan says his father was a Jedi Knight.  Uncle Owen says the Ben Kenobi is a crazy old man and that Obi-Wan Kenobi never existed—but Ben “Ob-Wan” did exist.  Obi-Wan purports the power of the Force, while Han shoots that down as a bunch of mumbo jumbo, etc.

Fact

Main Character Counterpoint

The counterpoint to all of Luke’s interest in fantasy is the fact of the matter about which he fantasizes.  The facts of working with the Rebellion are boring, according the C3PO; the facts of life on the road to adventure always expose the limitations of Luke’s fantasies (e.g. the surprisingly high price for hiring Han Solo, the unexpected complications of flying through hyper-space, the fact that the Force lets you fight even without your eyesight, etc.).  There are also facts which support Luke’s interest in his fantasies, such as the fact that his father was a Jedi Knight, like Obi Wan.  Understanding the variety of these facts helps Luke become more what he wants to be.  Fact is advantageous for Luke.

Main Character Thematic Conflict
Fantasy vs.Fact

Balancing fact and fantasy is a constant issue with Luke.  According to his Uncle Owen, Luke’s father was a freighter pilot—but Obi Wan says his father was a Jedi Knight.  Uncle Owen says that Ben Kenobi is a crazy old man and that Obi Wan Kenobi never existed—but Ben/Obi Wan does/did exist.  Obi Wan purports the power of the Force, while Han shoots that down as a bunch of mumbo jumbo, etc.  Fact and Fantasy fall into a nearly equal comparative value for Luke.

Test

Main Character Problem

Luke is constantly driven to test his skills—as a wannabe Jedi, as a daring doer, as a marksman, and eventually as a pilot.  By constantly testing himself, he gets into situations that he would have avoided if he had confidence (or trust) in himself.  For example, he knew better than to go alone into the Sand people’s territory; the scuffle he created at the bar could easily have been avoided; the messy breakout of the Princess was partially motivated by his testing his limits; etc.

Trust

Main Character Solution

Luke must learn to “trust the Force,” or more accurately, trust in himself and his faith in the Force.  When he trusts his skills, it generally gets him out of the scrapes that his testing gets him into.

Unending

Main Character Symptom

No matter where Luke is, he thinks his problem is that it will never end.  While on Tatooine, he thinks he’ll never be freed from working on the farm and he’ll be stuck on Tatooine forever.  Once he begins his Jedi training, he thinks that the training will never end and he’ll never be a Jedi Knight; at the Rebel base, he thinks that Han will forever be a self-interested, self serving mercenary only interested in the safety of his own hide; etc.

Ending

Main Character Response

Luke believes that the solution to his problems is to bring an end to things.  He’ll only stay on for another season at the farm; he’ll only help Obi Wan as far as the space port; he’ll only train to be Jedi until he can reach and join the Rebellion; etc.

Fact

Main Character Unique Ability

There is a single fact about Luke that makes him most suited to achieve the goal—he is a natural Jedi Knight. His father was a Jedi Knight and it appears to be something that can be inherited—like eye color. It is his natural proclivity with the Force that keeps him safe from Darth and the Imperial TIE fighters long enough to blow up the Death Star.

Worth

Main Character Critical Flaw

Not only is it Luke’s sense of low self-worth that undermines his use of his natural skills, but other people’s evaluation of his lack of worth does so as well.  He physical appearance as a wimpy, whiny, backwater farm boy does nothing to enhance his apparent worth.  Only when his worth is properly evaluated is he able to get past it and employ his Jedi talents.

Present

Main Character Benchmark

Luke looks to his present situation to determine how things are going.  Is he closer or further from leaving Tatooine?  Learning to be a Jedi?  Joining the Rebellion?  Destroying the Death Star?

Additional Main Character Information →

Main Character Description

A whiny farm boy, athletic, somewhat attractive, who dreams of excitement and glory.  Now, if only he can get out of his familial responsibilities and join the Rebellion…

Main Character Backstory

Luke Skywalker’s backstory explains why he never developed much trust and instead constantly tests himself and everything around him.  Luke is a young man who was separated from his parents as a baby and raised by his aunt and uncle.  His father was a famous Jedi knight who died mysteriously.  Luke’s aunt and uncle kept the circumstances of his father’s death a secret from Luke, hoping to raise him in a way that would protect him from a similar fate. 
His boring desert-farm life on Tatooine, however, caused Luke to grow up dreaming of the exciting wars raging around the galaxy.  Luke’s foster parents vehemently discouraged this interest.  With the secrecy around Luke’s warrior inheritance and the scolding he received for his natural interests, Luke became a person afraid to trust his own inclinations.  Thus, when Star Wars begins, Luke Skywalker is a farm boy afraid to do anything without other people’s permission—even though he is quite capable of taking care of himself.

Mind

Influence Character Throughline

Obi Wan lives in the world of the Force.  His attitude about the Force’s power and impact, the existence of the Light and Dark sides of the Forces, and the importance of the Force is unshakable.

Preconscious

Influence Character Concern

In order to be truly “one with the Force,” a person must completely let go of themselves and let the Force act through them.  This allows the Force to guide unthinking responses and reflexes—to become an unbeatable power for good or evil.

Worth

Influence Character Issue

Obi Wan represents an ongoing exploration of the balance between worth and value.  He appears to be old and feeble and of little worth, but his skills and abilities to invoke the Force prove to be of great value: he gets them by the Imperial Stormtroopers; saves Luke from the alien in the Cantina; turns off the tractor beam; distracts Darth Vader long enough for the rest of the group to escape; etc.

Value

Influence Character Counterpoint

Obi Wan, the old Jedi, appears to be old and feeble and of little value, so having to deal with him leads other characters to look anywhere else, other than toward the ways of the Jedi, to find Value.  Even when people pay homage to the Force, it is just lip-service as they go about putting their real faith in the Value of their targeting computers.  People who meet Obi Wan generally don’t want to hear his message about the Worth of the Force, they’re more concerned with immediate, practical Value.  As in the example of the first x-wing to get a shot at destroying the Death Star using his targeting computer only to miss the target, Value is shown to be advantageous, but only to a limited degree.

Influence Character Thematic Conflict
Worth vs.Value

Obi Wan represents an ongoing exploration of the balance between Worth and Value.  Although Value can take you so far (“Nothing compares to a good blaster by your side,”) we are shown through Obi Wan’s impact that Worth is what’s really needed to get the job done.  Understanding the true Worth of the Force makes considerations of Value take care of themselves, as when Obi Wan gets Luke and the droids past the Imperial Stormtroopers, turns off the tractor beam, delays Darth Vader long enough for the others to escape, and finally, as Luke uses his trust in the Force to out-do his own targeting computer.

Unproven

Influence Character Problem

Due to his devout faith in the Force, Obi Wan is driven by the idea that everything remains unproven—even if “common sense” might dictate otherwise.

Proven

Influence Character Solution

If and when that time may come when Obi Wan can see things as proven, he would become completely satisfied.  However, it is not in THIS chapter of the Star Wars story.

Cause

Influence Character Symptom

Obi-Wan’s focus on Darth Vader as the cause of Luke’s father’s death makes it difficult for Luke to justify not helping Obi-Wan on his quest;  Obi-Wan’s observations as to the reasons Uncle Owen misled Luke about Luke’s father undermines Luke’s trust in his uncle; Obi-Wan’s focus on the Force as the source of all things material and immaterial makes Luke the brunt of Han’s jokes and skepticism; etc.

Effect

Influence Character Response

By training Luke to become a Jedi Knight, Obi Wan hopes to directly effect Luke’s chances to join the Rebellion and impact the Empire.

Value

Influence Character Unique Ability

Without Obi Wan around, Luke might run off to join the Rebellion before he is ready.  Obi Wan’s obvious value to Luke as a protector and teacher holds Luke back.  But Obi-Wan’s value to the Empire makes them a target and almost gets Luke killed.

Fantasy

Influence Character Critical Flaw

Obi Wan Kenobi (versus Ben Kenobi) is identified as some mystical wizard from times past that may or may not have ever existed.  That reputation, combined with a general unfamiliarity with “fantastical powers” of the Force, puts serious strain on Obi Wan’s credibility.

Conscious

Influence Character Benchmark

Conscious thought is an impediment to using the Force.  The less thinking (especially in Luke’s case), the closer one can become one with, and of, the Force.

More Influence Character Information →

Influence Character Description

Once a formidable Jedi Teacher, he is now old, eccentric, and reclusive.  His non-Jedi name is Ben Kenobi.

Influence Character Backstory

Obi Wan Kenobi’s backstory explains how he developed the impact he makes when he meets Luke Skywalker.  Obi Wan is a Jedi knight, an inter-stellar champion of the now dead republic which once governed the galaxy.  He was a very respected Jedi, exceptionally well trained in the Force, a religious source of power that Jedi knights draw from.  Obi Wan became an outlaw and an antique when a new, dark empire destroyed the republic and wiped out the Jedi.
Once outlawed, Obi Wan became a hermit living in the deserts of Tatooine.  He knew that Luke Skywalker, the son of a most respected Jedi, was living there and might one day need his tutoring.  Obi Wan is afraid that appreciation for the power of the Force will only lie in the hands of the evil empire if a new Jedi is not trained.  Thus, Star Wars begins with Obi Wan hiding from the empire on Tatooine and waiting, perhaps, for Luke to call.

Psychology

Relationship Story Throughline

Obi Wan clearly manipulates Luke through psychological means.  He attempts to coerce Luke to help him get to Alderaan, which Luke resists, yet does not reveal the fate of Luke’s aunt and uncle to Luke—even though he is clearly not surprised at the news; Obi Wan purposely keeps Luke in the dark about his resources while bartering with Han Solo, hushing him up when Luke can barely contain himself; Obi Wan keeps Luke under his thumb by doling out information about the Force, the Empire, the Past, everything; he’s whispering into Luke’s head at several critical moments…“Run, Luke, run!” and “Use the Force, Luke!”

Being

Relationship Story Concern

Obi Wan wants Luke to be the faithful Student, while Luke wants to be a Hero.

Ability

Relationship Story Issue

As representatives of the old guard versus the new guard, Obi Wan and Luke’s relationship often conflicts over their natural abilities and their basic desires.  Obi Wan, though highly skilled and experienced, is getting on in years and doesn’t have the stamina and abilities he once had.  Nor are his desires as fresh as they may have once been.  Luke, on the other hand, is young and vital (though fairly green in certain areas), and his desires are hot and driving.  He definitely has the hots for Leia.

Desire

Relationship Story Counterpoint

The counterpoint in the relationship between Luke and Obi Wan is desire, the motivation to change one’s situation or circumstances.  From this point of view, their relationship is a little problematic at first because Luke won’t allow himself to have what he wants.  Obi Wan speaks directly to Luke’s desires and basically starts trying to teach him how to be a galactic hero.  Since Obi Wan is a hero from a by-gone age, though, no one sees any of the desires in this relationship as very realistic.  Han and Chewie start laughing at the relationship between these two characters whenever they talk about their desire to explore the Force and help the Rebellion.  At the same time, however, this relationship wouldn’t be going anywhere without these shared desires.  Desire in this relationship is advantageous.

Relationship Story Thematic Conflict
Ability vs.Desire

As representatives of the old guard versus the new guard, Obi Wan and Luke’s relationship often has conflicts over their natural abilities and their basic desires.  Obi Wan, though highly skilled and experienced, is getting on in years and doesn’t have the stamina and abilities he once had.  Nor are his desires as fresh as they may have once been.  Luke, on the other hand, is young and vital (though fairly green in certain areas), and his desires are hot and driving.  He definitely has the hots for Leia.  The relationship these two have is constantly exchanging these two currencies, until it comes down to Luke driving toward the target on the Death Star enhancing his abilities with a targeting computer.  Obi Wan’s voice comes from beyond the grave to encourage Luke to, one last time go with his heart (“trust your feelings”—desire).  The best point of view on their relationship is thus revealed as this tip leads to the destruction of the Death Star and to Luke’s becoming a hero.  In this relationship, Desire is better.

Non-Accurate

Relationship Story Problem

Obi Wan’s secrecy and misleading comments to Luke keeps their relationship off balance.  Obi Wan attempts to lure Luke away with him to Alderaan, then feigns indifference when Luke wimps out; Obi Wan marginally warns Luke to be careful at the Cantina without giving Luke a real idea of the dangers within; Obi Wan’s vagueness about the necessary “pains” associated with Luke’s Jedi training (like getting zapped by the trainer robot) jostles their relationship; etc.

Accurate

Relationship Story Solution

When Obi Wan is specific about what he wants Luke to do and how to do it, there is little conflict between them.  Whining and complaining, maybe, but not much conflict.

Cause

Relationship Story Symptom

Luke is the cause of the ruckus at the Cantina that forces Obi Wan to use his lightsaber which draws the Stormtroopers’ attention; Luke is the reason the troops are alerted on the Death Star (in response to the rescue of Leia) which threatens the escape and forces Obi Wan to confront Darth Vader directly to buy time; etc.

Effect

Relationship Story Response

Obi-Wan shows Luke the effects the Force has on people and objects.  Luke is drawn to the effects of the Force, which motivates Luke to be an eager student.

Knowledge

Relationship Story Catalyst

The identity of Luke’s father revealed to him by Obi Wan gets Luke interested; the identity of the Jawa killers alerts Luke to check the well (or “well done”) being of his aunt and uncle; the knowledge of their death allows Luke to go with Obi Wan; etc.

Enlightenment

Relationship Story Inhibitor

Luke wants to be a hero and is an action oriented person.  Enlightenment about the Force (as delivered by Obi Wan) takes time to listen to and even more to absorb.

Conceiving

Relationship Story Benchmark

As Luke begins to get an idea of what it means to be a Jedi, the distance between Luke and Obi Wan narrows.

Additional Relationship Story Information →

Relationship Story Throughline Synopsis

A young man, named Luke Skywalker, has grown up on a remote desert planet completely unaware that his missing father was really a famous Jedi Knight.  Luke’s foster parents are afraid he has “too much of his father” in him and this fear has instilled a sense of self-doubt in young Luke. 
Luke’s foster parents also discourage Luke from learning anything about the legendary hermit named “Ben Kenobi” who lives on their planet.  When his droid R2D2 runs off into the desert, Luke is forced to come face to face with this hermit.  This meeting unravels many mysteries about Luke’s past.
Ben admits to also being known as “Obi Wan” Kenobi, the Jedi Knight sought by R2D2.  When R2D2 delivers a message from the rebel alliance begging Obi Wan to come to their aid once more, he asks Luke to join him.  He explains to Luke that Luke’s foster parents have hidden his true heritage from him by not admitting that his father was a Jedi.  Obi Wan offers to teach Luke about the ways of the Jedi, especially the ways of the Force.

Luke refuses the offer out of consideration for his foster parents.  He soon discovers, however, that the evil galactic empire is hunting his droids and have already murdered his foster parents during this search.  Although saddened by their death, Luke feels their restrictions lifted by this loss.  Suddenly free, Luke joins Obi Wan as his apprentice, training to become a Jedi.

Obi Wan begins teaching Luke to trust the Force.  He demonstrates its power and plays games to help Luke experience it on the way to Alderaan.  On Alderaan, Obi Wan intends to deliver the plans hidden inside of R2D2.  This journey is interrupted, however, when Alderaan is suddenly destroyed by the Empire and Luke and Obi Wan are captured on the Empire’s new battle station, the Death Star.
Obi Wan begins instructing Luke in the value of understanding where one’s own destiny lies.  Obi Wan tells Luke that Luke cannot help him turn off the tractor beams to allow them to escape because they have different destinies.  The two of them are split apart.

Luke discovers he is in a position to rescue a captured Rebel Princess and organizes an attempt to free her.

Obi Wan turns off the tractor beam but finds himself face to face with an old enemy, the evil Jedi Darth Vader.

Luke manages to free the princess and return to the ship in order to escape, but there he finds Obi Wan and Darth Vader fighting with their light sabers.  When Obi Wan sees Luke he drops his guard and lets Darth strike him down.  Obi Wan understands this memory will affect Luke and he will be able to continue his relationship with Luke, even after death. 

Obi-Wan’s spirit encourages Luke to run so he can meet with the rebellion and launch an attack on the Death Star.  When a strategy is devised, Luke confidently joins the battle and finds himself rocketing toward the target in the Death Star trench.
At this point, Luke is the Rebellion’s last hope.  He has his computer turned on to help him lock onto his target.  Suddenly Obi Wan’s voice rings in Luke’s head, encouraging him to trust the Force.  He takes a leap of faith and decides to trust the force, turning off his computer and letting his actions be guided by his trust in the Force, and therefore in himself. 
This trust is well placed.  Luke’s shot hits its mark and destroys the Death Star.  Luke wins a hero’s award from the Rebellion while Obi Wan’s voice comes from beyond to remind him (and us) that, “the Force will be with you, always.”

Relationship Story Backstory

The backstory of the relationship between Luke Skywalker and Obi Wan Kenobi explains how their two points of view came to be so opposed and center on the problem of Accuracy (especially in their communication with each other).  Luke’s father was a good friend and fellow Jedi to Obi Wan.  This link has made Obi Wan obliged to deliver certain teachings to Luke which he knows others will hide from him (e.g. his father’s light saber).  Luke has grown up knowing of a “hermit” named “Ben Kenobi,” but has always had the truth of his father and Obi Wan’s past kept secret from him. 
Because Luke has had so much hidden from him which only Obi Wan is willing to relate, their relationship has a lot of potential.  Obi Wan is also interested in making sure Luke becomes a Jedi like his father.  This hidden agenda means revealing facts to Luke in particularly delicate ways that are intended to keep him aware of the true nature of the Force.  Obi Wan’s manipulations create the problems in their relationship when Luke just wants to know simple facts without having to grasp any deeper meaning.  When Obi Wan gets to the point of giving Luke simple, accurate instructions, (“Run, Luke, Run!” and “Trust the Force, Luke”) their relationship works fine.  But their relationship has problems at first, because of Obi Wan’s inaccurate descriptions as Star Wars begins.

Doing

Overall Story Goal

The Rebels are transferring important data about the Death Star and fighting back when possible;  Princess Leia is misleading the Empire as much as possible; etc.  Ultimately, the rebels fight and destroy the Empire’s ultimate weapon, the Death Star, radically reducing the Empire’s fighting power.

Being

Overall Story Consequence

The Rebels that survive will be under the power of the Empire again and will have to pretend to be “proper citizens” until they grow in numbers and power.

Preconscious

Overall Story Cost

Han is forced to hide in his ship when all of his natural instincts are to come out fighting; Chewie must wear the handcuffs even though his natural response is to fight off restraints of any kind; etc.

Progress

Overall Story Dividend

While trying to destroy the Death Star, the Rebel forces gain valuable, new members; while trying to locate the Rebel base, the Empire rids itself of the pesky council which gets events moving in a positive direction for them, politically speaking; Han is able to begin paying back his debt to Jabba the Hut; the Jedi Knights and belief in the Force is resurrected which bodes well for the Universe; etc.

Learning

Overall Story Requirements

The Gran Mof Tarkin must learn how to extract the location of the Rebel base from the Princess; the Rebels must learn how to use the data about the Death Star most effectively; Luke must learn the Jedi skills; etc.

Conceiving

Overall Story Prerequisites

Princess Leia has to come up with an idea as to how to get the secret plans to the Rebellion; the Gran Mof Tarkin must come up with different ways to try and get Princess Leia to reveal the location of the Rebel base; Obi Wan must give Luke the idea that he should become a Jedi Knight; etc.

Conscious

Overall Story Preconditions

At Tarkin’s demand, Darth Vader must consciously curb his use of the Force on senior members of the Death Star staff; while a captive of the Empire, Princess Leia makes a conscious effort to be as obnoxious and disrespectful as possible;  Tarkin makes a conscious effort not to lose his temper when he discovers that the information given by Princess Leia was a red herring—especially after how much he enjoyed torching her home planet; etc.

Present

Overall Story Forewarnings

Princess Leia, a key player in the Rebellion and Council member with vitally important information, is imprisoned by the Empire on the Death Star; the present readiness of the Death Star, as shown in the Alderaan test, indicates that it can easily destroy the Rebel base once it is discovered; the present size of the Rebel forces and the seemingly impenetrable defenses of the Death Star do not bode well for the survival of the Rebellion; etc.

Overall Story

Understanding

Overall Story Signpost 1

The Empire begins to understand just how much of a threat the Rebellion is after the rebels steal the plans to the Death Star.  The senators understand the Empire’s ambitions after the Senate is disbanded and Senator Organa’s diplomatic ship is attacked.  The populace of Tatooine are slow to understand how far the Empire will go to recover the stolen plans.  The hermit, Ben Kenobi, begins to understand that it is time for him to come out of retirement.  Gran Mof Tarkin, the leader of the Empire’s efforts to destroy the rebels, begins to understand that the dark lord, Darth Vader, may have his own agenda when Vader comes into conflict with one of the Empire’s officers.  The farm boy, Luke Skywalker, begins to understand that the war between the Empire and the Rebellion has come to Tatooine when his group discovers the dead Jawas.

Overall Story Journey 1 from Understanding to Learning

The farm boy understands his life on Tatooine is over when he discovers his murdered aunt and uncle.  The farm boy chooses to join the crazy old wizard (former Jedi Knight), Obi-Wan Kenobi, in order to be trained to use the Force.

Learning

Overall Story Signpost 2

The old Jedi wizard and farm boy learn that that the Empire has put a bounty on them.  The smuggler, Han Solo, learns that Jabba the Hut is after him and he must get off planet as soon as possible.  The Empire leans of the small groups whereabouts and attacks them as they depart in the starship, Millenium Falcon.  The farm boy begins to learn how to use the Force.  Tarkin learns that the Death Star has become operational.  Senator Leia Organa learns the full capabilities of the Death Star when it is used against her home planet, Alderaan.  Tarkin leans that Senator Organa lied about the whereabouts of the rebel base.

Overall Story Journey 2 from Learning to Doing

The group on the Millenium Falcon learn that Alderaan has been destroyed.  They also learn that the Empire has the Death Star, which is the size of a small moon.  The Millenium Falcon is captured by a tractor beam and into the Death Star, when the group then has to figure out how to escape.

Doing

Overall Story Signpost 3

Obi-Wan leaves the group to find and disable the tractor beam.  Han Solo, Luke and company rush to save Senator (Princess) Organa from termination, and engage in a battle with the Empire’s stormtroopers.  The group escapes and is chased all over the Death Star evading capture several times.  Obi-Wan disables the tractor beam, but runs into Darth Vader, a former pupil gone bad.  Obi-Wan and Vader duel with lightsabers, and Obi-Wan appears to be killed by Vader.

Overall Story Journey 3 from Doing to Obtaining

The group escapes from the Death Star in the Millenium Falcon, but are pursued by stormtroopers in Tie Fighter space craft.  An “aerial” battle ensues in which the Millenium Falcon is victorious.  They head for the rebel base with the Death Star plans.  Unbeknownst to them, they also take a tracking device with them secretly placed on the Millenium Falcon by the Empire.

Obtaining

Overall Story Signpost 4

The rebels find a weakness in the Death Star design.  The Empire finds the rebel base and gets it within their sights.  Han Solo takes his reward for transporting the group to the rebel base.  The farm boy joins the rebels and is given his own X-wing fighter to fly in the attack against the Empire forces.  As the battle ensues, both the Empire and Rebels lose many fighters.  Ultimately, the Empire loses its greatest weapon, the Death Star, when it is destroyed.

Main Character

Past

Main Character Signpost 1

Luke is stuck on Tatooine because his uncle Owen does not want him to follow in the father’s footsteps.  Luke gets excited when he finds out more about his mysterious father from Ben “Obi-Wan” Kenobi.

Main Character Journey 1 from Past to Progress

Luke goes from being someone with a mysterious heritage, to a Jedi in Training.  Unfortunately for him, his progress is not nearly as fast as he would like it to be.

Progress

Main Character Signpost 2

Luke is impatient with his training.  He sees how Obi-Wan can manipulate Stormtroopers’ minds and wield his light saber with expertise.  On the other hand, Luke can barely keep himself from getting killed or fend off a training droid.  Even his rescue of Leia ends with them nearly crushed with the Garbage.

Main Character Journey 2 from Progress to Future

Luke goes from Jedi Training and Princess Rescuing, to a future without Jedi Master Obi-Wan and poor prospects for surviving long enough to find anyone else to train him.

Future

Main Character Signpost 3

Though somewhat excited at finally joining the Rebellion and being a junior Jedi, Luke is concerned that there might not be much of a future left for them.  Han and Chewbacca are no longer part of the effort to save the Rebel base, so his future prospects look grave.  With Obi-Wan gone, it doesn’t look like he will ever be a full Jedi Knight like his father.

Main Character Journey 3 from Future to Present

Luke puts aside his concerns about the future, even as his friends and fellow rebels are slaughtered by the Empire, to concentrate on using his Jedi powers.

Present

Main Character Signpost 4

Luke lets go of his personal baggage and concentrates on the hear and now in the best way he knows how.  He turns off the targeting computer, and finds himself in the moment and at one with the Force.

Influence Character

Conscious

Influence Character Signpost 1

Obi-Wan asks Luke to consider joining him on his trip to Alderaan.  When Luke makes excuses, Obi-Wan accurately points out, “That’s your Uncle talking.”  He also gives Luke something to think about when he tells Luke about Luke’s father, especially when he introduces Luke to the Force.

influence Character Journey 1 from Conscious to Preconscious

The shift is quick and happens in the Jedi training session.  Obi-Wan gives Luke a helmet with its opaque blast shield down.  “This time, let go your conscious self and act on instinct.”

Preconscious

Influence Character Signpost 2

Obi-Wan wants Luke to use the Force.  Obi-Wan tries to make a point and asks Luke to do the exercise again with his eyes blinded.  “This time, let go your conscious self and act on instinct,” he says.  When Luke balks, Obi-Wan says, “Your eyes can deceive you.  Don’t trust them.”  “Stretch out with your feelings,” he tells Luke.

Influence Character Journey 2 from Preconscious to Memory

Obi-Wan’s training of the young Jedi, Luke, ends abruptly when he allows himself to be defeated by his former, dark pupil, Darth Vader.  Luke witnesses the “death” as Obi-Wan’s voice blasts in his mind, “Run, Luke!  Run!” which Luke does without thinking.  Later, Luke thinks he has nothing left of Obi-Wan but memories.

Memory

Influence Character Signpost 3

As the Millenium Falcon carries Luke into space, he remembers Obi-Wan and wonders what he’s going to do without his mentor.

Influence Character Journey 3 from Memory to Subconscious

Before boarding his X-wing to attack the Death Star, Luke laments, “I only wish Ben were here.”  Not too much later, Obi-Wan reaches out from the beyond and reminds Luke to “Use the Force, Luke,” and, “Let go, Luke.”

Subconscious

Influence Character Signpost 4

Inside his ship during the final attack run on the Death Star, Luke doesn’t seem to be alone.  The voice of Obi-Wan comes to him again and urges him to use the Force and let go.  The message finally connects with Luke and he switches off his targeting computer.

Relationship Story

Becoming

Relationship Story Signpost 1

Ben Kenobi must come out of retirement and take up the mantle of Master Jedi Knight Obi-Wan again.  As such, he recruits the son of a former Jedi Knight, Luke, encouraging him to take up his father’s mantle and join forces with Obi-Wan.  Luke resists Ben’s attempts to manipulate him into joining the crusade, but agrees to take Ben to Mos Eisley.

Relationship Story Journey 1 from Becoming to ConceivingObi-Wan protects the developing growth of Luke from boyhood to manhood. He begins to give Luke an idea of what the Force is and what it means to be a Jedi Knight.

Conceiving

Relationship Story Signpost 2

Obi-Wan does much to show the strengths and limitations of the Force to Luke, but often hides its powers from Luke to keep Luke out of trouble.  Luke is slow in getting the idea of what the Force is, and his ignorance gets him into trouble.  First there is the conflict at the bar in the cantina, then Obi-Wan holds Luke back as Luke reacts to Han’s cockiness. Obi-Wan uses the training droid to help Luke get a better idea of how the Force works and what what a Jedi is.

Relationship Story Journey 2 from Conceiving to Conceptualizing

Luke slowly begins to understand what the Force is and what it can do as Obi-Wan explains it to him.  Luke sees how Obi-Wan reacts to the disturbance in the Force when Alderaan is destroyed.

Conceptualizing

Relationship Story Signpost 3

Knowing that a physical death is immaterial to his continued influence on Luke, Obi-Wan knows that defeat by Darth will motivate Luke far more rapidly than the current rate.  BEN: “You can’t win, Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.”  Ben sees Luke looking at him and lets Vader bring his sword down.  Luke sees Obi-Wan cut in half and cries out, but he doesn’t notice that Obi-Wan’s cloak is empty.  Obi-Wan’s disembodied voice tells Luke to run, and he does.  Luke is left to figure out how to go on without Obi-Wan.

Being

Relationship Story Signpost 4

Though their relationship began with Obi-Wan acting as mentor and protector, his absence forces Luke to take on the role of sole remaining Jedi to oppose the Dark Side of the Force.

OS: MC: IC: RS: