Signs of Good vs Evil in Star Wars
In Barthe’s World of Wrestling he talks about how the wrestler’s look, attire, attitude, and gestures are all signs
that symbolize the wrestler’s character. For example, here's how Barthes described Thauvin, an ignoble wrestler:
“Thauvin, a fifty year old with an obese and sagging body..displays in his flesh the characters of baseness…the classicalconcept of the bastard.”
So Thauvin’s look acts as the signifier that the audience interprets as Thauvin being pure baseness (the signified). This also let’s the audience know that all his future actions and gestures will all support that concept. The Star Wars movies also use signs to help establish the morals/roles of the characters .
In Star Wars, a character’s attitudes, look, attire, and accessories also act like signs. For example, the Jedis, who stand for good, use blue color light sabers. The color blue can be associated with peace and calmness. On the other hand, the Sith who stand for evil, use red color light sabers. The color red can be associated with rage, and danger. Furthermore, the clothes each wear also act as signs to represent good and evil. The Jedis usually wear light colored clothes or robes like monks/samurai which further support the concept that Jedis are good. The Siths, on the other hand, wear Black/Dark colored clothes, symbolizing darkness and evil.
Darth Vader (left) a sith. Old Ben Kenobi (right) a jedi
By using these various signs to reinforce the character’s morals, I think it makes the story more dramatic for the viewer because the characters fighting represent pure good and evil. And in the end with the triumph of good over evil, we can’t help but cheer because it appeals to our sense of justice and goodness.
Iv'e also added a video of a battle between two jedis and one Sith from The Phantom Menace. Here you can clearly see how the difference in their attire, demeanor, voice tone, light saber colors, and especially the Sith makeup.act as signs to establish good and evil. and also because it's a sweet fight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPLXwrj7i7Q
1 comment:
Nice! I like that you're going for your own structural analysis. Of course, you're right. What is a little different from Barthes in your analysis is that Barthes is specifically trying to point out that there is still value in a very "base" and easily dismissed cultural event. Wrestling was something for the lowest classes, and he is trying to say that "culture" can be anywhere. There is a "classic" element even in wrestling.
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