Abstract
The paper analyzes the saga of Star Wars as a text that has borrowed extensively from biblical apocalyptic. There is a cosmic battle between the forces of good and evil; a great cataclysm is foretold, but the faithful will survive with the help of God (The Force); a messiah figure (Luke) appears; and a new world order will come about in which justice triumphs and wickedness is punished. This myth is made relevant to modem viewers by being framed as a battle of technology vs. the natural human: the machine Vader vs. the human Anakin, the Death Star vs. the Force, Imperial walkers vs. primitive Ewoks. The films' apparent technophilia is cover for a technophobic message: we must remember our humanity lest we be absorbed or destroyed by our machine creations.
Recommended Citation
Lyden, John C.
(2000)
"The Apocalyptic Cosmology of Star Wars,"
Journal of Religion & Film: Vol. 4:
Iss.
1, Article 2.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/jrf/vol4/iss1/2