Pierce Tondry
Dec 31st, 2001, 06:04:47 PM
Welcome to the first of what I hope will be many Star Wars-related articles. For my column "In the Crosshairs", I intend to take issues and find their "bulls-eyes", their hearts, the central truths that surround these issues and post my findings.
I have heard it said too often that Jar Jar Binks has no redeeming value. At first, I agreed with this summary. However, as a writer I felt compelled to find the purpose behind his appearance. After all, if he's just there to suck in the kids, what true value does he have?
As George Lucas is the creator of one of the most popular franchises of Science-fiction literature, it seemed that there was likely a point to the appearance of Jar Jar Binks. I was determined to find at least one good purpose for Jar Jar, and I have. It comes from a looking at things from writer's point of view.
Jar Jar Binks is an adult simpleton. He is capable of relating to anybody. Adults find him annoying. Children find him silly. He finds himself quite normal, and for his situation he probably is. After all, no one has ever accussed Gungans of having brilliant intellects. Jar Jar is slow for his age (whatever that may be).
Anikan Skywalker is an aged child. At his age, he has seen more of the bad side of the galaxy than most people living in civilization's boundaries. He starts life as a slave. He works for a junk dealer and participates in dangerous Podraces. Mentally, he is wise and merely waiting for his body to catch up. He is advanced for his age.
The two characters are in such a position that a meeting of the minds is possible. Jar Jar is able to relate to Anikan because each has both adult and childlike qualities. It is as though someone has taken the seriousness and experience that should have been Jar Jar's and transplanted it into Anikan's body, while similarly taking Anikan's youth and bestowing it upon Jar Jar.
In short, Jar Jar is an excellent character foil for Anikan, and I believe that he serves that purpose. The two psychologies support each other.
It is possible, quite possible, that if Anikan and Jar Jar remained friends throughout Anikan's Padawan training, enough of our silly sub-comic might have rubbed off to prevent Anikan from falling to the Dark Side.
Then again, maybe Jar Jar would simply have aggravated Anikan into going evil even faster. It would not be the first time he has aggravated someone. :)
Episode II: Attack of the Clones will most likely answer many questions we have about Star Wars. Knowing that Ahmed Best (the voice of Jar Jar) had a role to play in Episode II, I am most interested to see what that role is and whether or not it will provide supporting evidence for my theory. After all, who better to spot the changes in Anikan than his old Gungan pal?
If there's a subject or question you'd like to see examined "In the Crosshairs" feel free to e-mail it to admibrancrissean@hotmail.com or send me a PM about it. Polite criticism and feedback are welcome and encouraged.
I have heard it said too often that Jar Jar Binks has no redeeming value. At first, I agreed with this summary. However, as a writer I felt compelled to find the purpose behind his appearance. After all, if he's just there to suck in the kids, what true value does he have?
As George Lucas is the creator of one of the most popular franchises of Science-fiction literature, it seemed that there was likely a point to the appearance of Jar Jar Binks. I was determined to find at least one good purpose for Jar Jar, and I have. It comes from a looking at things from writer's point of view.
Jar Jar Binks is an adult simpleton. He is capable of relating to anybody. Adults find him annoying. Children find him silly. He finds himself quite normal, and for his situation he probably is. After all, no one has ever accussed Gungans of having brilliant intellects. Jar Jar is slow for his age (whatever that may be).
Anikan Skywalker is an aged child. At his age, he has seen more of the bad side of the galaxy than most people living in civilization's boundaries. He starts life as a slave. He works for a junk dealer and participates in dangerous Podraces. Mentally, he is wise and merely waiting for his body to catch up. He is advanced for his age.
The two characters are in such a position that a meeting of the minds is possible. Jar Jar is able to relate to Anikan because each has both adult and childlike qualities. It is as though someone has taken the seriousness and experience that should have been Jar Jar's and transplanted it into Anikan's body, while similarly taking Anikan's youth and bestowing it upon Jar Jar.
In short, Jar Jar is an excellent character foil for Anikan, and I believe that he serves that purpose. The two psychologies support each other.
It is possible, quite possible, that if Anikan and Jar Jar remained friends throughout Anikan's Padawan training, enough of our silly sub-comic might have rubbed off to prevent Anikan from falling to the Dark Side.
Then again, maybe Jar Jar would simply have aggravated Anikan into going evil even faster. It would not be the first time he has aggravated someone. :)
Episode II: Attack of the Clones will most likely answer many questions we have about Star Wars. Knowing that Ahmed Best (the voice of Jar Jar) had a role to play in Episode II, I am most interested to see what that role is and whether or not it will provide supporting evidence for my theory. After all, who better to spot the changes in Anikan than his old Gungan pal?
If there's a subject or question you'd like to see examined "In the Crosshairs" feel free to e-mail it to admibrancrissean@hotmail.com or send me a PM about it. Polite criticism and feedback are welcome and encouraged.