Character Breakdown: Luke Skywalker from Star Wars

Happy May the 4th! I hope you are all having an awesome, Star Wars filled day. Because of that, I've planned a ton of Star Wars themed posts for this month. So bear with me and let's have some galactic fun.

A lot of people judge Luke Skywalker for being too naive, too farmboyish, too boring. But he is exactly the character Star Wars needed for a hero. Today we're going to be breaking down his character and see what makes him so good. (Also, I'm focusing on him during the original trilogy, not the sequels.)

Personality

• Spunky. Luke is willing to take anything on. The Empire? Sure. His evil father? Absolutely. He doesn't let little things like lack of skill stop him from doing what's right.

• Energetic. The kid also has a lot of energy. He has to with all the adventures he goes on. His youthful energy is a big part of his personality.

Virtues

• Good hearted. From the beginning of the first movie, he's shown that while he may long for bigger places, he's a good kid. That's what makes him a good Jedi. He doesn't let himself be corrupted by darkness or despair.

• Youthful. His young age can be a hindrance, but it also grants him a lot of strength. He's at the age where he's too young to realize that things like taking down an Empire are "impossible". So he goes and does just that.

Flaws

• Stubborn. Luke often wants his own way, even when it might not be the best course of action. He'll follow his plans through, even when they might seem doomed. This stubborn streak has gotten him in trouble before.

• Impulsive. Sometimes, due to his force powers, his impulsiveness can be good. But a lot of times it gets him in trouble. Like deciding to fight Darth Vader after like one week of training.

Skills

• Jedi abilities. Over the course of the movies, Luke gains more proficiency with his Jedi powers. From lightsaber fighting to using the Force, he becomes a powerful Jedi. And those powers come in handy.

• Pilot. I love the fact that he wasn't only a good Jedi, but an excellent pilot. That's partially how he wins the day in the first movie and it makes his character more interesting.

What Makes Him Interesting

• His arc. Compare Luke from movie one with Luke from movie three and you'll see a massive difference. In the beginning Luke is naive and slightly whiny. But he grows out of that, like most teenagers do. He levels out and grows in wisdom in power. And I love watching that transformation.

• His role. Luke is one of few people left trained in the Jedi ways. He's the one who had to take down Palpatin. It wasn't easy, and that's why he had to be the hero of the story. Han is awesome, but he doesn't care about the conflict the way Luke does. Leia is interesting, but she's too hardened to really let us see the horrors of the Empire. Luke is young and gives us the perfect vantage point.

What's your favorite thing about Luke? Have you ever written a character like him?

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