After landing on Tatooine, R2 and C3PO split up, divided on a course of action, representing R2’s first threshold of the journey. Since the droids land in the middle of the desert (which is most of the planet), R2 wants to go one way, and C3PO insists on heading a different way. Each droid is searching for civilization and shelter from the exposed desert. Unable to agree, the droids go separate ways, and this division represents R2 crossing the first threshold. Thus far, R2 and C3PO have worked together but now R2 embarks on his journey to find Kenobi and deliver the plans alone.
Deep in the road of trials, R2, after traveling for hours, hears rocks falling around him. After traveling for a few minutes, a Jawa jumps up in front of R2 and shoots him, short circuiting all of R2’s systems, rendering R2 unconscious.
R2 wakes up in near darkness, surrounded by droids of all shapes, sizes, models, and ages, all creating a overwhelming cacophony of noise. After stumbling through the crowd R2 finds his friend C3PO who has also been captured by the Jawas. R2’s capture and reunion with C3PO is part of the road of trials as R2 attempts to make sense of his surroundings and the Jawas kidnap him. Additionally, when the Jawas sell C3PO to Luke and Uncle Owen, R2 is about to be separated from his longtime friend. But with a streak of luck for R2, the other droid Luke tries to buy malfunctions and Luke buys R2 instead. When R2 was about to be separated from his friend, he could have attempted to force his way into the fray, showing Luke and Owen he was a better droid than the Red droid. But with patience and a stroke of luck, R2 is reunited with C3PO.
R2’s imprisonment in the Jawa tank may be the belly of the whale step of R2’s hero’s journey. Literally imprisoned in a dark hole, R2 can only wait and hope for the best once finding C3PO. With the inhibitor chip on, R2 can’t try to escape the Jawa tank. Similar to Campbell’s “belly of the whale” stage, the hero undergoes a change or metamorphosis, being reborn. R2 does not emerge from the Jawa tank a new droid, however he does change. Unlike most of the movie in which R2 charges into danger to fulfill his mission, he cannot do anything in the Jawa tank. R2 learns patience in the Jawa tank and continues on his journey after leaving the tank.
Once bought by Luke and Uncle Owen, R2 manages to escape the farm and seek out Ben Kenobi, to whom Leia addressed the message and plans. In leaving the farm and seeking out Kenobi, R2 is still on the road of trials. After searching for Kenobi and failing to find him, R2 finds himself in the presence of sand people. After Luke and C3PO show up looking for R2 and are attacked by Sand People, Ben Kenobi appears and saves R2, Luke, and C3PO from the attack. In R2’s journey, Kenobi represents the Goddess. Finding Kenobi completes part of R2’s mission. But Kenobi provides R2 with the knowledge of Tatooine to reach the rebellion and deliver the death star plans to rebel base.
Upon reaching the rebel base after more trials in the death star and the death of Obi-Wan, R2 reaches his ultimate boon, his ultimate goal, delivering the plans of the Death Star to the rebel alliance. After delivering the plans, R2 returns to his role as a space battle co-pilot he is familiar with from years of conflict in the Clone Wars. Like Luke’s journey, “A New Hope” ends before all of Campbell’s steps of the “Return” phase occur. But R2’s crossing of the return threshold occurs when R2 returns to the rebellion. Once again, he is fighting with a group dedicated to justice in the galaxy and he is familiar with his role.
-Kai
Great post Kai! I think it is really unique that you traced R2D2’s story with Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey in mind as opposed to protagonist Luke Skywalker’s. I like how your interpretation highlights that R2’s narrative follows a different, unique timeline. Also, now that you pointed it out, I can’t unsee how the Jawas’ tank is like the “Belly of the Whale.” I appreciate how you hint that R2’s ambitiousness could serve as some kind of temptation when sneaking out of the farm to find Ben Kenobi.
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to lie, when we first started watching Star Wars, I genuinely thought R2D2 was the main character. I still believe he should have been, and your interpretation really highlights how his journey follows the steps of the Hero's Journey. There were so many suspenseful moments that made it seem like R2D2 was at the center of the story, like when he carried the Death Star plans and navigated the escape pod to safety. Another moment was when he managed to reunite with C3PO after being captured by the Jawas, showing his resilience and luck. I honestly think R2D2 deserves his own show to show off his own heroic adventures.
ReplyDeleteGoodmorning Kai!!! First of all, it is a delight to see a blog dive into some uncharted and controversal territory. I do agree with you in way but in another I think you are completely wrong, or as they say in France tu as complètement tort. You have clearly articulated your reasoning and I do see how R2's travels represent that road of trials and the thershold is clear in terms of going from fighting with a group to being on the frontlines back to fighting with a group. I still struggle to see him as the protaganist as he does not really have human emotions... although it could be argued that another certain protaganist we have encountered in this class (Sid) doesn't either. Keep up the good work pal!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very fun way to look at Star Wars! Especially considering how Luke Skywalker is so consistently considered to be a “textbook protagonist”. I really like how, despite R2D2 technically being an inanimate object, you expanded on the droid’s actions throughout the movie and made him feel similar to a human protagonist with human emotions. Fantastic work, and I like how you were able to connect scenes from R2D2’s point of view to the steps of the Hero’s Journey and still have them make sense!
ReplyDeleteI can really feel the passion in defending R2D2 as the TRUE protagonist. Its so easy to dismiss R2 as just a robot along for the ride, but your deep dive into it's journey brings to light that R2D2 goes on a very REAL Hero's Journey. Your claims are very well conveyed! I think your topic is also very engaging and not a very common opinion :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that R2D2 is getting some recognition because in my opinion the droids are the best characters! I really enjoyed your blog because it brought to light exactly what makes R2 a good character: his motivation and his personal journey. While I've always considered Luke to be the hero in Star Wars, it definitely makes sense for R2 to be one as well since his own hero's journey is documented throughout the movie.
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