The History and Politics of Star Wars

The History and Politics of Star Wars PDF Author: Chris Kempshall
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1351382705
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 205

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Book Description
This book provides the first detailed and comprehensive examination of all the materials making up the Star Wars franchise relating to the portrayal and representation of real-world history and politics. Drawing on a variety of sources, including films, published interviews with directors and actors, novels, comics, and computer games, this volume explores the ways in which historical and contemporary events have been repurposed within Star Wars. It focuses on key themes such as fascism and the Galactic Empire, the failures of democracy, the portrayal of warfare, the morality of the Jedi, and the representations of sex, gender, and race. Through these themes, this study highlights the impacts of the fall of the Soviet Union, the War on Terror, and the failures of the United Nations upon the ‘galaxy far, far away’. By analysing and understanding these events and their portrayal within Star Wars, it shows how the most popular media franchise in existence aims to speak about wider contemporary events and issues. The History and Politics of Star Wars is useful for upper-level undergraduates, postgraduates, and scholars of a variety of disciplines such as transmedia studies, science fiction, cultural studies, and world history and politics in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

The History and Politics of Star Wars

The History and Politics of Star Wars PDF Author: Chris Kempshall
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1351382705
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 205

Get Book

Book Description
This book provides the first detailed and comprehensive examination of all the materials making up the Star Wars franchise relating to the portrayal and representation of real-world history and politics. Drawing on a variety of sources, including films, published interviews with directors and actors, novels, comics, and computer games, this volume explores the ways in which historical and contemporary events have been repurposed within Star Wars. It focuses on key themes such as fascism and the Galactic Empire, the failures of democracy, the portrayal of warfare, the morality of the Jedi, and the representations of sex, gender, and race. Through these themes, this study highlights the impacts of the fall of the Soviet Union, the War on Terror, and the failures of the United Nations upon the ‘galaxy far, far away’. By analysing and understanding these events and their portrayal within Star Wars, it shows how the most popular media franchise in existence aims to speak about wider contemporary events and issues. The History and Politics of Star Wars is useful for upper-level undergraduates, postgraduates, and scholars of a variety of disciplines such as transmedia studies, science fiction, cultural studies, and world history and politics in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

Sex, Politics, and Religion in Star Wars

Sex, Politics, and Religion in Star Wars PDF Author: Douglas Brode
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
ISBN: 0810885158
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 194

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Book Description
In 1977, Star Wars blazed across the screen to become one of the highest grossing and most beloved movies of all time, spawning an unprecedented merchandising phenomenon. It was followed by two sequels and three prequels, all of which became blockbusters. Comic books, novels, graphic novels, and magazines devoted to the films added to the mythology of George Lucas’s creation. Despite the impact of the franchise on popular culture, however, discussion of the films from a scholarly perspective has not kept pace with the films. In Sex, Politics, and Religion in Star Wars: An Anthology, Douglas Brode and Leah Deyneka have assembled a provocative collection of essays exploring some of the more intriguing aspects of the Star Wars phenomenon. Contributors to the volume tackle such hot topics as race and racism in the Star Wars galaxy, Judeo-Christian and Eastern religious themes, homosexual romance, and philosophical and political implications—both earthbound and otherworldly. These essays interpret the Star Wars universe from a variety of perspectives—including feminist and Freudian—offering insights from writers who bring a new passion to the subject. A companion volume to Myth, Media, and Culture in Star Wars, Sex, Politics, and Religion in Star Wars is an authoritative anthology incorporating scholarly analysis with engaging insights. It will engross readers, both fans and scholars alike.

Star Wars and History

Star Wars and History PDF Author: Lucasfilm
Publisher: Wiley
ISBN: 9780470602003
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 344

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Book Description
At last—an analysis of the historical patterns that influenced the creation and storyline of the Star Wars saga Star Wars took place long ago in a galaxy far, far away, but its epic stories are based on our own history. From Ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire to the French Revolution and the Vietnam War, Star Wars and History explores the major historical turning points, heroes, and villains in human history and their impact on the creation of the Star Wars saga. Star Wars and History shows how the atomic and hydrogen bombs led to the Death Star; how Princess Leia's leadership in the Rebel Alliance resembled the daring work of intrepid women in the French Resistance during World War II and the Mexican Revolution; historical parallels between the Jedi Code and Bushido as well as those linking the Jedi culture with that of the Templar Knights and other warrior monks; and all of the history that underlies the Star Wars galaxy. Read how our own civilization's civil wars, slavery, international corporation states, and teenage queens were transformed into the epic Star Wars history and discover how Tatooine reflects the lawless frontiers of the past and Coruscant our own history of glittering and greedy capitals. The first book devoted to analyzing the actual historical events in our past that influenced the creation of the space fantasy, Star Wars Features 11 essays by a wise "council" of history scholars, written in close collaboration with George Lucas and Lucasfilm Gives new insights into central Star Wars characters and historical figures who helped inspire them (including Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Queen Amidala, Yoda, Jabba the Hutt, Lando Calrissian, Emperor Palpatine, and others) Includes both stunning photos from the Lucasfilm Image Archives and historical photos that demonstrate the parallels between both worlds Filled with fascinating historical comparisons and background that will take your experience of the Star Wars saga to a new level, Star Wars and History is an essential companion for every Star Wars fan.

The Final Frontier

The Final Frontier PDF Author: Joel R. Campbell
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1498555268
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 258

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Book Description
This book examines politics in terms of space fiction, international relations and theory, using the Star Wars and Star Trek television and movie franchises to illustrate these dimensions.

Identity Politics in George Lucas' Star Wars

Identity Politics in George Lucas' Star Wars PDF Author: John C. McDowell
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 147662450X
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 209

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Book Description
George Lucas spoke about the didactic role of cinema and about his own work being presented through the "moral megaphone" of the film industry. A considerable body of scholarship on the six-part Star Wars series argues (unconvincingly) that the franchise promoted neo-conservatism in American culture from the late 1970s onward. But there is much in Lucas' grand space opera to suggest something more ideologically complex is going on. This book challenges the view of the saga as an unambiguously violent text exemplifying reactionary politics, and discusses the films' identity politics with regard to race and gender.

The World According to Star Wars

The World According to Star Wars PDF Author: Cass R. Sunstein
Publisher: HarperCollins
ISBN: 0062484249
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 242

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Book Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER #1 Washington Post Bestseller There’s Santa Claus, Shakespeare, Mickey Mouse, the Bible, and then there’s Star Wars. Nothing quite compares to sitting down with a young child and hearing the sound of John Williams’s score as those beloved golden letters fill the screen. In this fun, erudite, and often moving book, Cass R. Sunstein explores the lessons of Star Wars as they relate to childhood, fathers, the Dark Side, rebellion, and redemption. As it turns out, Star Wars also has a lot to teach us about constitutional law, economics, and political uprisings. In rich detail, Sunstein tells the story of the films’ wildly unanticipated success and explores why some things succeed while others fail. Ultimately, Sunstein argues, Star Wars is about freedom of choice and our never-ending ability to make the right decision when the chips are down. Written with buoyant prose and considerable heart, The World According to Star Wars shines a bright new light on the most beloved story of our time.

Star Wars: The High Republic: Edge of Balance, Vol. 2

Star Wars: The High Republic: Edge of Balance, Vol. 2 PDF Author: Shima Shinya
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC
ISBN: 9781974728640
Category : Comics & Graphic Novels
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
A massive, interconnected cross-publisher initiative focused on an all-new era of Star Wars storytelling. It is the era of the High Republic and Republic expansion is at its height. As trusted guardians of peace, the renowned Jedi protect the Republic and shine their light on those exploring the darkest reaches of the galaxy. © & TM 2021 LUCASFILM LTD Copyright © 2021 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.

Star Wars in the Public Square

Star Wars in the Public Square PDF Author: Derek R. Sweet
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 1476623473
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 225

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Book Description
Speculative science fiction, with its underlying socio-political dialogue, represents an important intersection of popular culture and public discourse. As a pop culture text, the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars offers critical commentary on contemporary issues, marking a moment of interplay whereby author and audience come together in what Russian philosopher Mikhail Bakhtin called collaborative meaning making. This book critically examines the series as a voice in the political dialogues concerning human cloning, torture, just war theory, peace and drone warfare.

The Light and Dark Sides of Star Wars

The Light and Dark Sides of Star Wars PDF Author: S. Serhat Serter
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
ISBN: 1527572196
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 240

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Book Description
This book brings together various different analyses of the Star Wars movies, each of which approaches the films from a different point of view, such as history, music, advertisement, new media, ideology, economics, politics, and narration. The book will appeal to various audiences, from high school students to academicians, and from university students to fans of the Star Wars franchise.

Welcome to the Rebellion

Welcome to the Rebellion PDF Author: Michael Harris
Publisher: John Hunt Publishing
ISBN: 1789043689
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 186

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Book Description
What does it mean that our most popular modern myth is a radical left story about fighting corporate authoritarianism? From its roots in the 1960s new left, Star Wars still speaks to millions of people today. By design, the saga mirrors our own time and politics. A real empire of corporate domination has arisen within weakened and corrupted republics. Now it threatens our existence on a planetary scale. But the popularity of Star Wars also suggests that if we tell the right stories, we can welcome many more people to the rebellion and the fight for a better world...