Star Wars: isn't Han Solo the impact character?

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ChrisK

Star Wars: isn't Han Solo the impact character?

Postby ChrisK » Aug 13, 2013 12:28 pm

Han and Luke clash over whether the story goal should be carried out for profit (Han) or the benefit to others (Luke). They have diametrically opposed value systems and each tries to get the other to come around to his take on the issue.

In the end, Han gives in and changes the way he feels about the issue (by risking his life to join the attack on the Death Star even though he's already been paid). He doesn't fully accept Luke's belief system, especially all the hokey stuff about ancient religion, but he has certainly changed his attitude regarding the central issue. Ultimately, Luke's impact on Han made it possible to destroy the Death Star and achieve the story goal.

In the Dramatica theory PDF, though, it's Obi Wan who's identified as the impact character. Shouldn't it be Han?

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Geoff1975
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Re: Star Wars: isn't Han Solo the impact character?

Postby Geoff1975 » Aug 13, 2013 3:16 pm

In the crisis, Luke hears Ben expressing his impact point once again. This persuades him to change his paradigm and ignore the instruments. He let's the Force guide him instead. This solves the Objective Story problem.

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Re: Star Wars: isn't Han Solo the impact character?

Postby Chris Huntley » Aug 13, 2013 4:30 pm

In the substory involving Hans difficulties with Jabba the Hut, Han is the Change character and Luke appears to be the Influence Character, or at least representing part of the Temptation/Conscience argument central to Han's personal issue in that story. That partially explains Hans 'change' and unexpected return to the field, though it's underdeveloped in "A New Hope", so it comes off a bit contrived.

On the other hand, Luke is a farm boy who feels like he was made for bigger things, and yet he's stuck on Tatooine working for his uncle maintaining vaporators. Obi-wan is the only one encouraging Luke to develop those grander interests by following in his father's footsteps by becoming a Jedi Knight. You must look to the PERSONAL throughline of the MC to best understand where the IC influences or has the most impact.
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