religions and racism
the aspects of both religions and racism are evident in the film stars war, particularly the fifth episode. A thorough analysis of the film reveals that it is centered on religions with a few aspects of racism. The film was based on the 1970s hence the need to relate the events of the film with the religions and racial trends at the time. It can be deduced the religions were introduced in a period where it was considered dead or outdated (Kershner, 1980). It, however, probed to bear truths that were eventually embraced by the believers. Lucas made several attempts to apply scientific explanations to the Jedi Knights abilities and Force. However, his perspectives about midi-chlorian did not prove to be futile as it could not explain the original trilogy and its mysterious power.
The storyline presents the tension between Darth Vader and people allied to him with Luke Skywalker, who treated faith as though it was a cultural artifact (Kershner, 1980). The 1970s were indeed a dynamic moment in the United States with religion; most of the blacks built their churches and seemed to amount to the highest number of church attendants. The film star wars episode 5 presents the aspects of religions that were evident in the film and the 1970s. During this time, there were conflicting perspectives about religions due to diverse issues and events such as the aftermath of the Vietnam War, sexual revolutions, cold war as well as space race and economic prosperity.
The fifth episode of the star wars presents some aspects of the religions that are also evident in the 1970s. The belief in religions in the film has been exhibited in Lukes’s perspective. Han Solo, on the other hand, has placed his faith in modern weapons and the material world as stipulated in his conversation with Luke, “Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.” This is a familiar trend with religion in the 1970s as most of the white majority viewed the world from a materialistic perspective.
Vader’s is evidently a religions person, an aspect that further reveals the existence of religions in the film. However, it can be noted that several people do not hold religion on high esteem as they view it rather differently. In this respect, Admiral Motti, who was charged with tracking the hideout of the rebels, doesn’t seem to understand why Motti holds on to religions, yet it has not helped him to solve the issues at hand such as determining the hideout of the rebels (Kershner, 1980).
It can also be acknowledged that during this time, the advances in technology had overshadowed religions; however, its place in the society was still evident as quite a number of people held religious beliefs.
Governor Tarkin, for instance, recognizes Vader’s abilities and beliefs in religions despite the changes in times (Kershner, 1980). He acknowledges that indeed Verder is among the last standing representation of religions. Veder holds on to faith in the Force despite the mockery and ridicule from a society that had little regard for religions. He feels he is destined for greatens hence holds on with the hope that he will bring redemption to his father as well as to the Force a vision that seemed impossible at the time.
Racism has been portrayed in numerous films, an aspect that indicates the trends of the 1970s. During this period, the country was in the aftermath of the civil rights laws; hence racism was illegal. However, there are still depictions of racism in the film star war, as evident in the 1970s as well (Kershner, 1980). In the film, for instance, the cast contains only white characters, an aspect that detailed the existence of racism despite the achievements made by the civil rights movement in the United States and the abolition of racial laws. Lando Calrissian, Darth Vader, and Jar Jar Binks are among the few blacks in the film that is dominated by the white cast. This is a representation of racism as an aspect that determines a significant theme of the film.