I'm Rey...On The Inside

Okay folks it is now two and half weeks since the release of Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens. So if you haven’t seen the film yet then “move along, move along”.

There are so many topics I could discuss about this movie, but I’m going to narrow it down to Rey’s character. Not exactly a small subject I know, but I’m going to take a more personal view. My own thoughts about her and my connection to her (no I’m not related to her either).

When I look at Rey I see resilience. I see a girl who believes she belongs on Jakku, even though deep down she knows she’s destined for something greater. She only “belongs” there because she believes her family will return for her…someday. I have my own theory on who Rey’s parents are based on what Maz Kanata said. I’m paraphrasing when I say Maz tells Rey her family will never return, she tells Rey this after Maz asks Han “who’s the girl?” Obviously Han tells Maz something about Rey’s parents. Did Kylo Ren kill Rey’s parents? There’s some food for thought.

When I see Rey I see myself. It’s like looking in the mirror. Not to get all mushy on you princess, but sometimes I feel stuck. I feel like I have a greater purpose. Sometimes I feel like just a scavenger, or like I have to get back home for no reason whatsoever, other than that’s where my stuff is. Meanwhile there is another calling for me out there somewhere. Don’t we all have that very human yearning for something greater? Don’t we all gaze up at the stars wishing we were up there doing something important? Every once in a while we look over at that old woman scrubbing parts, thinking I’m going to be doing this for the rest of my life. Not if I can help it.

Rey thinks she’s a no one. That is the first step to becoming a hero. A humble beginning, like Luke before her she hesitates. Except instead of getting back to the farm before it gets too late, Rey is waiting for something that will never come. A long the way Rey acquires some friends; Finn, Han, Chewie, and BB-8. What is the threshold? Is it the vision scene or the bar scene? In my opinion it comes much later. The fight scene with Kylo Ren, it is here when she accepts the lightsaber in her hand and duels Kylo. This is when she knows she feels The Force and recalls her training. There is no going back after this fight. Prior to this, after the vision scene when Rey runs out of the bar, and when she refuses Han’s job offer, that is her turning away. She does not want to face her destiny.

For some reason I really identify with Rey. More than I ever did with Luke. I think it’s because I’m more in touch with my own destiny and mortality now than I was when I was younger. I had no direction or purpose then, much like Rey. But knowing deep down there’s more to me than meets the eye, much like Rey by the end of the movie. In fact I’m walking up my own set of Jedi steps right now.  

Eric G. Onkenhout

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