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Interpersonal Communication In Star Wars

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Conflict within families has been present in human societies since the beginning of humans themselves and has remained extremely pertinent wherever families may exist; in fact, you could say that familial conflicts began a long time ago and could even exist in a galaxy far, far away. Even in the midst of a galactic civil war, it is possible to identify interpersonal problems within families and examine how different methods of communication could provide remedies for the conflicts. In this essay, we are going to be discussing the hit 1977 blockbuster Star Wars--later retitled Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope--and how our study of interpersonal communication in family relationships can be exemplified in the film. In particular, we will analyze …show more content…
Luke, Owen, and Owen’s wife Beru all live together on a moisture farm in the deserts of Tatooine, a planet far off in the galaxy’s Outer Rim. Owen and Beru are the legal guardians of Luke whose mother passed during childbirth and whose father left the family to pursue a promising career in government. Luke, with no ways of leaving Tatooine, has had no other option but to work on the moisture farm all his life. Luke has grown incredibly restless; he wants nothing more than to leave the planet, join the Academy, and seek out adventure. However, Uncle Owen insists that Luke remain on Tatooine and assist with the farm for another year. Owen claims that he needs Luke’s assistance during the harvest; in reality, Owen’s prime motive for keeping Luke on the farm is his fear for his nephew’s safety. If Luke leaves Tatooine, he may discover the truth about his father’s career, follow in his footsteps, become an evil Sith Lord, and end up an incredible danger to himself and those around him. (Lucas, 1977) From Owen’s perspective, he is protecting Luke from the horrible fate of his father. However, from Luke’s perspective, Owen is acting selfishly and his holding him back from what he desires most: adventuring through the galaxy. These conflicting desires have become a major source of tension between the nephew/uncle pair. Since neither is able or willing to see the other’s …show more content…
(Floyd, 2012, p. 186) For example, we will examine what occurs when Luke, curious about his father and his role in the war going on around him, asks his uncle about his father’s connection to a man called Obi-Wan Kenobi. When Luke brings up the name Obi-Wan, Owen quickly deflects the comment saying that “[Obi-Wan] died about the same time as [Luke’s] father,” and then telling him to “forget it.” (Lucas, 1977) Owen is using a strategic message, meaning he is purposefully withholding information from Luke to control him. (Floyd, 2012, p. 188) Owen does not tell Luke the truth about Obi-Wan--who is alive, lives on Tatooine, and used to be best friends with Luke’s father--to keep him from leaving the farm. When Owen presents Luke with a falsified story, he gets Luke to act according to his will, but closes off all opportunities for a meaningful communication about their differing viewpoints. Later in the conversation, Luke brings up his desire to submit an application to the Academy in the current year. In response, Owen immediately shuts him down, saying that he absolutely needs Luke on the farm and giving him no say in the matter. Frustrated, Luke then ends the conversation by

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