Death Star: Final Thoughts

Death Star by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry

I try not to run away with more intent then was probably placed in a story but when the main plot point is an explosion of everything the story was about, and you know it is coming before even starting, all that is left is reading into the meaning. I’m going into my final thoughts with only vague feelings. I only have a few things to say. Nova being force sensitive is interesting when paired with his interest in philosophy. This pairs thinking and intuition. These are almost polar opposites but in this case the pair together saves him, figuratively of course. His interest in philosophy allows him to have ideals but his intuition allowed him to act. This is also in contrast to Tenn Graneet. He believed it when he was told the ultimate weapon wouldn’t be used, as if a weapon has ever failed to be used. Weapons are always used at least once before the impact of what the weapon can do is realized. This happened with nuclear weapons, there was fear there, mass fear, for years but only after they were used. Graneet didn’t think passed what he was told and he suffered for it. In the end there was no redemption for him. Teela and Vil are another contrast but in this case it brings harmony. Teela was all about structure, which is a requirement for her being an architect, and Vil needed fluidity in order to adapt to situations as a pilot. Both are needed in society.

Rodo, we don’t know much about him other than Memah saying he values beauty and his ability to keep those around him safe. Did he love her, in what way, did he not? I don’t think it matters. What is important about him is he saw the world and he acted when needed without false pretenses. He showed loyalty without expectation and through this he found contentment. Motti, Dalla, Tarkin, who cares. I will say I was disappointed in Tarkin’s last thoughts. I found his only real admirable trait is keeping things in perspective. He aimed big sure but never dismissed possibility and what he saw before him. Yet at the end he lost that all-encompassing perspective. As for Memah and Ratua, I should probably say something about stability, I’m just not sure what.

The Death Star itself can be seen as one big metaphor but for what? In this case I feel there is one good answer and that is the Death Star is society. There was a big emphasis on many types of people within this story. All walks of life and social standing was present along with types of relationships. It isn’t a stretch to say that society is the way to view the Death Star. What is important though is what the meaning of its destruction is. The Death Star is a society that did not meet the needs of the individuals in that society and could not sustain itself do to this.

Death Star: Darth Vader

Death Star by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry

Chapter(s): 11

 

 I almost feel I should have waited on the last essay and finish chapter 11, though I didn't have much to say up to page 200 so maybe it is for the best that I didn't. The extra time gave me some ideas though. My thoughts on Vader have changed. I’m sure most think of him as having turned evil. To me, now at least, it feels almost like he hasn’t and is using his own force powers to do so. There is also an allegory to a phoenix within the first paragraph. Yes it is meant to show how he died, came back, and changed. The thing to remember is the phoenix is still the same bird. It is also important to remember it has a positive connotation. When we first see him he says he is still Anakin Skywalker in some ways. Palpatine clearly started his brain washing but all this time Darth Vader has been reinforcing it. “He let the dark side take him, let it envelop him in anger and hatred (72).” It is almost like he can’t keep it up on his own. Really if he is good the whole time and is using his suffering to power up his force power that is just twisted.

I’ve been thinking about the force lately. I don’t know much about it. The Star Wars books I’ve read focused on other characters. With the mentions of it in here I have wondered about a few of the details. It says that the force, at least in Vaders control, has the ability to stop hearts. If it can do such a thing why isn’t it seen more? I thought about it and came up with something I feel works. I believe the body has a resistance and it takes time, that is often not available, to overcome if it is possible to get by at all. It is kind of similar to how Obi-Wan were able to distract the Stormtroopers from the droids. It isn’t a stretch to see how that was orchestrated. They were not sure what they were looking for so it wouldn’t be too hard to overlook them. Now with your life in the mix it gets to be a bit more complicated. First of all your body can betray you if you are panicked and afraid. There is also a mental part to it. If you fear something you have to believe it can do you harm and lower the resistance you would hold. All and all pretty useless against a Jedi or someone who isn’t of a weaker will than the force user. This isn’t to imply there isn’t still a physical aspect like how objects are moved but there is a new quality in the use with a person’s own will.

 Reaves, Michael, and Steve Perry. Star Wars: Death Star. New York: Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, 2007. Print.

Death Star Intros Part 2

Death Star by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry

Spoilers: You have been Warned

Chapter(s): 5,6, and 7

Dr. Kornell Divini is another example of things to remember when dealing with the military, the possibility of a draft. Last time I brought up how Rebels had to kill all those on the Death Star in order to take down the Empire. Knowing that a doctor, a man meant to help people, that doesn't want to be there in the first place, is on the space station does not sit well. Nether does his being from Tatooine, same as our hero. Let's take a look at the effects of the Empire. The doctors are to give extra care to Wookiees because of their working ability but others are expendable. He is noticing the wills around him but he isn't fully like them yet, he is still the new boy. He has the sense to wonder why wookiees are working for the Empire. It doesn't take long for him to realize they are like him, not there by choice.

Darth Vader is the only person so far we should have any expectations of. I don't really think mine where met. That doesn't have to be a bad thing though. This is what I didn't like, the fact he still feels he "reverts...to what Obi Wan Kenobi...has made of him (52)." I don't feel that is something he would have thought, that he was still what he once was. I'll see where it goes though. Other than this feeling of disapproval of the 4 pages of Vader's first appearance, I feel one thing was really worth commenting on that adds to what we know of him and ties into some of the earliest comments made about him. "Fear was good- in others (50)." This to me screams that he has not forgotten what put him by the side of the Empire, his own fear. This is a great flash back to "Episode 1"'s first meeting of Anakin and Yoda. I like this allusion because it is not overly blatant like I have seen some references be.

Sergeant Nova Stihl intrigues me. He is into philosophy and quotes a philosopher who says, "I know myself to be only as I appear to myself (45)." Nova heavily implies he thinks of himself as a good man but a simple one. The problem with good men is they rationalize how they are good men. He is a good man, he really is and I'm not taking that away from him, but he clearly tones down the wrong that is clearly around him. He feels sympathy for political prisoners, at the same time though he is a bit harsh about the world around him. Part of him knows that lack of free speech is wrong but he expects you to know your society and where you stand in it. In his would you act in the interest of your government for the good of all. He has one major flaw, he knows he is a good person, this is the government he works for, and he has no reason to question the goodness of that government.

 Reaves, Michael, and Steve Perry. Star Wars: Death Star. New York: Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, 2007. Print.

Death Star Intros Part 1

Death Star by Michael Reaves and Steve Perry

Spoilers: You have been Warned

Please note that I have not finished the book and all comments are speculation as I read through. Not every analysis will be done such as this one but I felt I had enough to comment on to start.

Chapter(s): 1, 2, 3, and 9

There is an epic, far reaching tail of good versus evil but this isn't it. In the Star Wars story you all know the Rebels must fight the tyrannical rule of the Empire. Within the Death Star a new story is told and this time it is about a system of government. No one here comes out without some ethical debate hanging around.

With Lieutenant Commander Villian we get our first glimpse into the workings of the most powerful weapon the Empire can think to make. There isn't much to make out in a large context from the first few pages but he sets up for a big realization. When ever we see Imperial Stormtroopers non can be distinguished from any other. The dehumanization is immense. Very few in "A New Hope" have faces that can be seen and none make us feel we are in safe company. The newer set of movies involve clones as Stormtroopers during the Clone Wars. This does nothing to remind us that Stormtroopers are people. After the new Star Wars movies we think that all Stormtroopers are clones. It can take a moment to see beyond that but Vil quickly dispels this by clearly stating he "nor any other TIE pilot that he knew of was a clone (Page 5)." Way to crash the party. Just with this comment we start slipping into a new mind set. Gone are the faceless and in come citizens serving their country. I don't know how most places in the world feel about their military but within the U.S. there is a lot of pride and love for those who serve. Vil himself also expresses the same pride as he looks onto the project he is there to protect.

Teela Kaarz is someone who should also have pride in her work. She was an architect with good standing. Was, till she was convicted for being a traitor. She was taken from the prison planet Despayre to help with the construction of the Death Star under Benits Stinex. Her work brings her shame. She tries to justify the work by making lives better. How many lives are we talking about? With the intro for Wilhuff Tarkin, the Grand Moff, we learn there will be a million on staff.

I took the time to talk about Teela because it leads nicely into realizing just who is on the space station. We know there are citizens serving their military but there is so much more then that. Wookiees taken against their will along with many other slaves. We don't know how many are from the prison world or not. In the original Star Wars the Rebels destroy all this and everyone in it. Surely not all on the station have done wrong, more than likely most have not, at least in the since of being apart of the Empire with their crimes. If the Rebels have taken so many lives why do we not see them as being wrong...at all? "But by doing what she knew how to do, she might actually save a few lives, or at least make those lives more comfortable. Yes, those lives would belong to servants of the Empire, but after all, not every single being here was evil. As rationalization went, that one wasn't so bad. Her inner self almost bought it (Page 63)." It is simple, it is the reason Teela feels shame, there can be no good while the Empire stands.

"To this war of every man, against every man, this also is consequent: that nothing can be unjust. The notions of right and wrong, justice and injustice, have there no place. Where there is no common power, there is no law, no justice. Force and fraud, are in war the two cardinal virtues." -Ibid.

I would like to thank the song Empire by Jukebox the Ghost for keeping me company wile I wrote this.

 Reaves, Michael, and Steve Perry. Star Wars: Death Star. New York: Lucas/Del Rey/Ballantine, 2007. Print.

 Seldes, George. The Great Quotations, with an Introduction by J. Donald Adams. New York: Pocket, 1968. Print.

Welcome

Words have power just by reading them. This makes reading literature one of the most fulfilling uses of your time. Just reading brings fulfillment but looking for a deeper understanding brings satisfaction. Not only do I wish to read more I wish to respond. I want to get my thoughts in order and out into the world.

I don't read that much but I am getting better. I believe a blog will help. Blogging has done wonders for my creating at Dreaming of Fish. There is just something so motivating about having to show the world.

If you couldn't tell this blog has a secondary theme beyond literature, that is Star Wars. Within the last year I was at GoodWill, the only place I can afford books normally, and there was more books for Star Wars then I could imagine being in one place. There had to be 50 books. It was like a Star Wars fan died. I had wondered what the chances of the originals being there. Chances turned out to be pretty good because there it was with a few others near year 0. That day I walked home with the first three, The Lando Calrissian Adventures, and The Han Solo Trilogy. Han Solo, How could I say no? I loved them all.

The Star Wars series meet all my needs. It had war, it is from another world yet not so removed from mine, it has multiple; powerful themes, harsh romance; no fluff for me, and good humor. Even with multiple writers the standard remains high. I love great lines and Star Wars provides. many lines are well worth the second read, even more so when delivered as scathingly as "it looks like it's up to me to save our skins. Get into that garbage chute, flyboy! (120)."

Star Wars has to be the biggest anthology on one world ever. I get supper into series to the point I don't want to let go when I find a good one. This series has the content to back that up. Just recently I got my hands on a copy of Death Star. Building projects and politics, sounds boring but it is anything but. It highlights what could have easily been avoided when thinking of the Death Star.

Mind you I won't only be going on about Star Wars. I have other interest and a good few books on my shelf. I look foreword to showing you a glimpse into my thoughts and hope you will read along with me.

One last thing: Warning this blog is spoilery as a caucus full of maggots!

Lucas, George. Star Wars. New York: Ballantine, 1993. Print.