Collipso, I wanted to talk about the point you raised concerning the “quick, and easy path” in comparison to how the sequel trilogy handled such a topic when it came to light and dark sides of the force.
It really does present a big thematic issue for the ST, which is that Kylo Ren seems to be taking the most grueling and challenging path possible to where he gets. On the contrary it seems Rey has some pretty smooth riding. And this definitely is an issue for me. It doesn’t seem that Rey struggles much with the Dark Side unlike Luke in the OT.
But I did want to point out something I really did like about what Johnson did with the force in episode 8 and it’s how he redefined it to be more about opposing philosophizes between the light and dark rather than just a power that tempts you. Kylo simply wants to rule the galaxy as he sees fit just like Vader in ESB, and Rey feels that is not the right way to use her powers. This feels like a more realistic depiction of what the actual light and dark side would be.
I think you’re misinterpreting that Yoda quote and those characters’ journeys.
Care to elaborate more? I’m interested in all the takes on this.
First of all it must be said that we don’t know the full story behind Snoke turning Ben to the dark. But we see the power he possesses as Kylo Ren, which is far more than anything Rey does (freeze blaster bolts, people, reads their minds, etc.). If he wanted a quick and easy way besides Luke’s training regimen to unlock some crazy powers, the dark side gave him that way. Important to note too that the dark side uses pain as a fuel.
The thing is though that when Yoda said that he was referring to Luke’s situation, and though people compare Rey to Luke their journeys are actually completely different. Luke wanted to learn the force and become a Jedi like his father. To do that he had to face Vader. The quick and easy way to defeat Vader is by using anger and hate. Like almost does this, but resists. That’s the moment he truly becomes a Jedi, when he’s able to move beyond the temptation to the dark that consumed his father and cast his weapon aside.
Rey’s story is simply not analogous. The temptation to the dark for her is just not the same. She never says that she wants to become a Jedi and learn the force. The force has always been there for her (we see it in her reflexes even before she touches the saber, just like Anakin). What she desires is connection, and for someone to show her her place . It’s not about learning how to use the force, it’s about learning in what way to use it, to what end. When Luke goes into the cave, he sees his ultimate challenge, just like Rey. But for Rey, it’s not a literal physical challenge, it’s an emotional one. The quicker and easier path for her isn’t about achieving power in the force, it’s about finding someone to guide her. When Kylo offers his hand, that’s the quick and easy path. He’s saying “come with me, I can show you your place in this.” It’s right there for her, a teacher, but it’s also companionship. But instead she chooses the hard way - to say no and to forge her own path, scary as that may be.
I hope that makes sense.
Never mind to what I said about not liking Rey in my last post cause this is an outstanding explanation for her character struggles.
Thank you for the analysis! I never looked at her journey in that way and how her challenge in the cave contrasts with Luke.
I honestly think a lot of issues people have with Rey stem from trying to align her story with Luke’s. And the do align in a broad sense, but you have to pay attention to the differences in the similar beats to see how her motivations and conflicts are actually quite different.
For instance, when she goes to see Ben to save him, one might think it’s a parallel to Luke going to Vader in ROTJ. But it’s closer to Luke going to Vader in ESB in terms of where the characters are at. Luke goes to Dagobah to become a Jedi hero. When he goes to face Vader and save his friends, he thinks he’s being a hero (and fails). Rey goes to Ahch-to to find someone to guide her and to save the Resitance. When she goes to Ben, that’s exactly what she thinks she’s going to get (but like Luke she fails).