Page 139 - Star Wars Insider (Special Edition 2019)
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IntroDUCing a hero
Fearless. That is the main
trait that comes to mind when
we first meet Princess Leia in
A New Hope. She is confi dent
in the face of adversity, and
has the steely composure of a
warrior. As the movie continues,
everything we see of her only
reinforces our initial assessment.
Indeed, over 40 years of the
Star Wars franchise, nothing has
made the character waver from
those traits. We have seen her as
a daughter, a lover, a friend, and
a mother, but always as a
woman who defies fear. When
she reappears in The Force
Awakens, she still radiates the
confidence needed to lead the
Resistance, and inspires it in
others—now as a general.
From the start, everything
we learn about her is garnered
through “show not tell”
techniques. A woman concealed
by a hood hides something in a
small droid. As the droid leaves,
she peeks out from cover and
draws back her hood to reveal
herself. Immediately, we know
she is hunted, she is beautiful,
and she is brave. She is clearly
a fighter, as she draws a weapon,
but she is also a tactician, as she
allows herself to be captured so
that her droid can escape. It is
a selfless, heroic moment. She
is then taken to Darth Vader,
but does not cower before his
towering figure. Instead she
asserts her rights, insisting that
she is on a diplomatic mission.
Everything we have seen so far
suggests otherwise, and we can
only admire her brazen attitude
in the face of overwhelming
odds. Though she seems
doomed, we know this character
will be one to watch.
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