robintrigue

Okay so. What with one thing and another, I’ve been thinking a lot about the Son’s Quest for the Father as a narrative arc, particularly in Star Wars; the main culprit for this train of thought is probably Rogue One and the (I feel) incredibly clumsy way it handled Jyn and her father. Everything whirring around my brain is terribly disorganised, so I apologise, but I’d quite like to jot some thoughts down here even if they’re not of a very high standard.

1. The Son’s Quest for the Father

Here it is, the big one. Luke Skywalker grows up not knowing his father, then learns that he is a powerful and noble Jedi, and hopes to follow in his footsteps and become the man he’s meant to be. My understanding of the Hero’s Journey is fairly superficial, but it feels like this works pretty well as a prime example, especially as a Rite of Manhood: he’s left his known world, strikes off into the unknown with only the legend and spirit of his father to guide him, to lead him to some greater truth that will save the galaxy. There’s the obvious wrench of Vader being evil, but there’s totally good in him, Luke can sense it, and Vader does sacrifice himself and Luke does become a Jedi, so it’s all clear on that front.

The Greeks do it too, don’t they? Theseus. “When you are old enough to move this boulder, you will find your father’s sword and I will reveal your heritage to you.” Telemachus too, to an extent, waiting for Odysseus’s return and helping him drive away his mother’s suitors. It’s a strong arc about saving the world and about becoming a man: the boy-hero leaves home, takes up his father’s mantle, and with that guidance accomplishes great feats. Leaving, discovering secrets of manhood and strength and morality and heroism, accomplishing the task at hand. Inigo Montoya. Simba from The Lion King. Every film about a boy’s little league team being coached by a disenchanted dad. Good, solid storytelling. Apparently it comes from Thomas Wolfe.

2.The Son’s Quest for the Mother

Now, this is where I get interested, because I never would have thought about anything past that first one, 101 heroism, if it weren’t for a line in Vonnegut’s Breakfast of Champions that I always come back to, about the son/father quest: “It seems to me that really truthful American novels would have the heroes and heroines alike looking for mothers instead. This needn’t be embarrassing. It’s simply true. [...] A mother is much more useful.”