Books Of Interest
The Writer's Journey, Second Edition: Mythic Structure for Writers
by Christopher Vogler
This book wasn't mentioned in Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed, but it may as well have been. Writer's Journey uses Star Wars movies to explain the hero's journey (among other stories).
I found this book to be one of the most rewarding writer's reference books that I've purchased. I found it a few years back at an RWA meeting over in Sacramento, California. It was a quick, fun read and very informative.
Here is an interview with Christopher Vogler.
The Hero with a Thousand Facesby Joseph Cambell
Vogler's book details the hero's journey discussed by Joseph Cambell. This book isn't written to be a writer's reference. But it is said that George Lucas met Joseph Cambell years ago and called Cambell his "Yoda".
Here's an article The Force has been with us for 30 years on folkstory.com that discusses the Star Wars special on the History Channel and George Lucas having utilized the ideas of Joseph Cambell. One of the interviewees in the special was Jonathan Young, who used to work with Joseph Cambell. His site The Center for Story & Symbol has a lot of information.
Star Wars: The Magic of Myth
by Mary Henderson
Mary Henderson is one of the people they interview in Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed. Her book sounds really interesting, though I haven't had the opportunity to read it yet. In the book she says, "Lucas combined the universal story of the hero’s journey with specific concerns and images from our own times. He dramatized the eternal battle of good versus evil and, by suggesting a way to emerge victorious from that battle, fashioned a tale that has all the elements of myth." Mary Henderson was the curator of the Smithsonian's Star Wars exhibit. That it is closed now, there is information online.
The Journey of Luke Skywalker: An Analysis of Modern Myth and Symbolby Steven A. Galipeau
Another interviewee in Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed. I recognized the NASA image on the cover as being the same image I used to make my new header image on my website/blog. That fact would be irrelevant along the lines of this topic, but I think the cover is pretty.
Culture, Identities and Technology in the Star Wars Films: Essays on the Two Trilogies (Critical Explorations in Science Fiction and Fantasy)
by Carl Silvio (Editor), Tony M. Vinci (Editor), Donald E. Palumbo (Editor), C.W. Sullivan III (Editor)
It is Dr. Carl Silvio that was interviews in the special.
Empire Triumphant: Race, Religion And Rebellion in the Star Wars Filmsby Kevin J. Wetmore
This book focuses on the political history influences in the Star Wars stories. He was quoted in Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed saying, "Lucas is tapping into that paranoia about business, about corporations. The Trade Federation is not so far away from Enron."
Links
http://www.starwars.com/ - The official site.
Wookieepedia - The Star Wars encyclopedia that anyone can edit.
Rather, Brokaw, Colbert, Linda Ellerbee: 'Star Wars' Experts? on NewsBusters. I have to admit, I was asking myself that same question while watching the show.
Edward L. Hudgins - Executive Director, The Atlas Society - Hudgins on "Star Wars" History Channel Special
Dr. Jonathan Young, Founding Curator, Joseph Campbell Archives - It is extremely obvious why they'd interview this fellow.
The Star Wars Kid
Do you suppose this is why Stephen Colbert was chosen a Star Wars expert?
Speaking of Star Wars
Many thanks to the USPS for making us smile. They don't have R2D2 mail boxes in my town. I'd sure like to see one though. You gotta go see this picture. (Here it is on flickr.)
2 comments:
Great reference links Annalee! I think Star Wars is really a wonderful compilation of the best of mythology. It's so well written and the journey is so believable.
Great stuff. Getting a few of these books from Amazon.
When I was in college frosh and sophs had to take required courses during January called "Common Course" (I and II - they alternated years), and one year the course started off with a viewing of "Star Wars" and a discussion of the movie as a classic myth story.
In 1998 friends and I were in DC when they had a special "Star Wars" exhibit at the National Air & Space Museum, complete with sketches and other memorabelia from the movies. When going through the exhibit patrons first viewed a movie on "Star Wars as Myth." OMG, I was back in Common Course! The short film (narrated by James Erle Jones w/ interviews of Lucas and cast members) and exhibit discussed how it is the classic hero's journey. The exhibit was free as part of the museum, but would have been worth any fee to gt in!
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