American Romanticism in Film: Star Wars

American Romanticism first originated in the serene early 1800s and still spans its influence today in our buzzing modern day society. Almost everywhere around us, every corner we turn, every commercial billboard we glance upon, icons of modern pop culture seemingly exhibit romantic heroic traits of the classical American hero. Through movies, books, television, and many other multifarious forms of media, we are exposed to certain classical qualities that can only be described as captivating and spellbinding. 

Classic American Romantic heroes steal our hearts as they display engaging qualities we all can relate to such as innocence of youth, purity of purpose, profound intuitive understanding, and diligence in the paths to higher truth. One such example of an alluring Romantic hero is Luke Skywalker from the widely acclaimed movie trilogy Star Wars. Through Skywalker’s values, experiences, and journeys we learn more about ourselves, the balances of nature, and the values of classical American Romanticism. 

Luke Skywalker made his grand debut as the protagonist in the hit movie trilogy Star Wars. He was depicted as an innocent youth with pure ambitions. Skywalker came from humble beginnings living remotely in a plain adobe as a solitary citizen in yet another barren wasteland in some uncharted galaxy. Much like how the American Romantics considered society to be a haven for evil doings, the society in which Luke lived was corrupt as crime rings were dominating, smugglers were commonplace, and illegal activities spanned from horizon to horizon. Yet, despite the adverse conditions of this dangerous society in which he lived, Luke remained pure of heart and spent most of his time fascinated by the desert and the many alien creatures that inhabited it.