New Medium Article: Why Does Kylo Ren's Redemption Arc Work So Well?
Happy Thursday afternoon everyone! I wanted to let you know that I just posted a new article on my Medium page. It's my first published Star Wars article and it's about one of my favourite characters: Kylo Ren.
My Medium articles are currently free, so you do not need a membership to read them.
Link to the full article is below, as well as a sneak peek.
Link: https://alysonserenastone.medium.com/...
Sneak Peek:
Author’s Note: This article contains spoilers for Star Wars.
Kylo Ren's redemption arc in the Star Wars saga is a nuanced and intricate narrative that delves deeply into the depths of his past, his complex relationships with his parents, and his tumultuous connection with Luke Skywalker. Understanding the factors that led to Kylo's turn to the Dark Side involves examining the pressures and expectations placed upon him from birth, the significant moments of betrayal and manipulation he experienced, and his ongoing internal conflict. Ben Solo, later known as Kylo Ren, was born into a legacy of great power and responsibility, being the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa and the grandson of Anakin Skywalker. This lineage brought immense pressure and high expectations, contributing to his sense of isolation and internal struggle.
Kylo Ren, born Ben Solo, carried the burden of an illustrious heritage, being the son of two of the most iconic figures in the Star Wars saga: Han Solo and Leia Organa. The expectations that came with such a lineage, combined with the lingering shadows of the Galactic Civil War, created a tumultuous environment for his upbringing. This complex background, marked by a longing for identity and belonging, made Ben particularly susceptible to the manipulations of Supreme Leader Snoke, who exploited his vulnerabilities to seduce him to the Dark Side.
From a young age, Ben Solo was caught between the conflicting demands of his family legacy. On one hand, there was the heroic narrative of his parents, celebrated leaders who had played crucial roles in the Rebellion and the New Republic. On the other hand, there was the dark legacy of his grandfather, Anakin Skywalker, who had become the infamous Darth Vader. This dual heritage placed an immense psychological strain on Ben, who struggled to forge his own identity amidst these towering expectations.
Han Solo and Leia Organa, despite their best intentions, inadvertently contributed to Ben's sense of isolation. Han, a smuggler-turned-general, found it difficult to reconcile his adventurous past with the responsibilities of fatherhood. His frequent absences, due to his inability to settle into a stable family life, left Ben feeling abandoned and craving paternal guidance. Leia, deeply involved in the political and military efforts of the Resistance, also had limited time to nurture her son. Her dedication to the larger cause of galactic peace, while noble, meant that Ben often felt secondary to her mission. These circumstances fostered feelings of neglect and misunderstanding in Ben, who struggled to find his place within the family and the galaxy.
Ben's training with his uncle, Luke Skywalker, further compounded the pressure of living up to his family's legacy. Sent to train as a Jedi to harness his burgeoning Force abilities, Ben initially saw this as an opportunity to connect with his family's heroic past. However, Luke's awareness of the dark potential within Ben created an atmosphere of fear and mistrust. The pivotal moment came when Luke, in a moment of weakness, considered preemptively killing Ben to prevent the rise of another Darth Vader. Although he ultimately did not follow through, this betrayal by someone he trusted deeply shattered Ben's faith in the Jedi and pushed him towards the Dark Side.
The strained relationship between Kylo Ren and his parents reached a tragic climax in The Force Awakens. In a desperate attempt to save his son, Han Solo confronted Kylo on Starkiller Base. The encounter was a poignant and heart-wrenching moment, highlighting the depth of Han's love and the complexity of Kylo's internal struggle. Despite Han's pleas, Kylo ultimately succumbed to his dark impulses, killing his father in a bid to sever his ties to the Light Side and fully embrace the Dark Side. This act of patricide was meant to solidify his commitment to Snoke and the Dark Side, but instead, it deepened his internal conflict and guilt, showing that the remnants of Ben Solo were still alive within him.
Despite his actions, the seeds of redemption were sown through his ongoing connection with his family. Leia's unwavering love and final act of reaching out to her son through the Force during The Rise of Skywalker played a crucial role in breaking through Kylo's defences. Her sacrifice, combined with a vision of his father, catalyzed a profound transformation within him. In this moment of clarity, Ben Solo renounced his Kylo Ren persona and sought to make amends for his past transgressions.
The role of Kylo Ren's family in his descent into darkness and eventual redemption is a testament to the enduring power of familial bonds and love. The legacy of Han Solo and Leia Organa, while initially a source of immense pressure and conflict, ultimately became the foundation for Ben Solo's return to the Light. Their love and sacrifices underscored the theme that no one is beyond redemption and that even the deepest wounds can be healed through understanding and compassion.
Supreme Leader Snoke played a crucial role in the transformation of Ben Solo into Kylo Ren by expertly manipulating his emotions and fears. Snoke's cunning exploitation of Ben's vulnerabilities distorted his perception of power and control, leading him to believe that the Dark Side offered the freedom and strength he sought. This manipulation is encapsulated in the symbolic creation of Kylo Ren's iconic cross-guard lightsaber. The unconventional design, with its unstable, crackling blade, mirrored the tumultuous inner conflict within Kylo Ren himself. It served as both a weapon and a physical representation of the war raging inside him, a war between his inherent goodness and the dark impulses nurtured by Snoke.
Kylo Ren's allegiance to the First Order was a direct manifestation of his desire to break free from the perceived constraints of his lineage. Born into the shadow of two legendary figures, Han Solo and Leia Organa, Ben Solo struggled with the immense expectations placed upon him. Recognizing this internal struggle, Snoke promised Kylo a new path—one where he could forge his own identity, unbound by the legacies of his parents and grandfather, Anakin Skywalker. The allure of the Dark Side and the power it promised seemed to offer the autonomy and respect he craved.
Despite his apparent loyalty to Snoke and the First Order, Kylo Ren began to see the cracks in Snoke's facade. As he grew in power and confidence, Kylo's perception of Snoke shifted from that of a mentor to an oppressor. The pivotal moment came during The Last Jedi when Rey was brought before Snoke. In this intense confrontation, Snoke's arrogance and cruelty were laid bare. Snoke's treatment of Rey and his utter dismissal of Kylo's potential for redemption illuminated the manipulative nature of his control.
A complex mix of motivations drove Kylo's decision to kill Snoke. On one hand, it was an act of rebellion against the figure who had dominated and manipulated him for so long. On the other, it was a strategic move to seize power and establish himself as the true leader of the First Order. The scene is a masterful depiction of Kylo's internal conflict: while he kills Snoke to liberate himself from external control, it does not signify an immediate return to the Light Side.
Serena
My Medium articles are currently free, so you do not need a membership to read them.
Link to the full article is below, as well as a sneak peek.
Link: https://alysonserenastone.medium.com/...
Sneak Peek:
Author’s Note: This article contains spoilers for Star Wars.
Kylo Ren's redemption arc in the Star Wars saga is a nuanced and intricate narrative that delves deeply into the depths of his past, his complex relationships with his parents, and his tumultuous connection with Luke Skywalker. Understanding the factors that led to Kylo's turn to the Dark Side involves examining the pressures and expectations placed upon him from birth, the significant moments of betrayal and manipulation he experienced, and his ongoing internal conflict. Ben Solo, later known as Kylo Ren, was born into a legacy of great power and responsibility, being the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa and the grandson of Anakin Skywalker. This lineage brought immense pressure and high expectations, contributing to his sense of isolation and internal struggle.
Kylo Ren, born Ben Solo, carried the burden of an illustrious heritage, being the son of two of the most iconic figures in the Star Wars saga: Han Solo and Leia Organa. The expectations that came with such a lineage, combined with the lingering shadows of the Galactic Civil War, created a tumultuous environment for his upbringing. This complex background, marked by a longing for identity and belonging, made Ben particularly susceptible to the manipulations of Supreme Leader Snoke, who exploited his vulnerabilities to seduce him to the Dark Side.
From a young age, Ben Solo was caught between the conflicting demands of his family legacy. On one hand, there was the heroic narrative of his parents, celebrated leaders who had played crucial roles in the Rebellion and the New Republic. On the other hand, there was the dark legacy of his grandfather, Anakin Skywalker, who had become the infamous Darth Vader. This dual heritage placed an immense psychological strain on Ben, who struggled to forge his own identity amidst these towering expectations.
Han Solo and Leia Organa, despite their best intentions, inadvertently contributed to Ben's sense of isolation. Han, a smuggler-turned-general, found it difficult to reconcile his adventurous past with the responsibilities of fatherhood. His frequent absences, due to his inability to settle into a stable family life, left Ben feeling abandoned and craving paternal guidance. Leia, deeply involved in the political and military efforts of the Resistance, also had limited time to nurture her son. Her dedication to the larger cause of galactic peace, while noble, meant that Ben often felt secondary to her mission. These circumstances fostered feelings of neglect and misunderstanding in Ben, who struggled to find his place within the family and the galaxy.
Ben's training with his uncle, Luke Skywalker, further compounded the pressure of living up to his family's legacy. Sent to train as a Jedi to harness his burgeoning Force abilities, Ben initially saw this as an opportunity to connect with his family's heroic past. However, Luke's awareness of the dark potential within Ben created an atmosphere of fear and mistrust. The pivotal moment came when Luke, in a moment of weakness, considered preemptively killing Ben to prevent the rise of another Darth Vader. Although he ultimately did not follow through, this betrayal by someone he trusted deeply shattered Ben's faith in the Jedi and pushed him towards the Dark Side.
The strained relationship between Kylo Ren and his parents reached a tragic climax in The Force Awakens. In a desperate attempt to save his son, Han Solo confronted Kylo on Starkiller Base. The encounter was a poignant and heart-wrenching moment, highlighting the depth of Han's love and the complexity of Kylo's internal struggle. Despite Han's pleas, Kylo ultimately succumbed to his dark impulses, killing his father in a bid to sever his ties to the Light Side and fully embrace the Dark Side. This act of patricide was meant to solidify his commitment to Snoke and the Dark Side, but instead, it deepened his internal conflict and guilt, showing that the remnants of Ben Solo were still alive within him.
Despite his actions, the seeds of redemption were sown through his ongoing connection with his family. Leia's unwavering love and final act of reaching out to her son through the Force during The Rise of Skywalker played a crucial role in breaking through Kylo's defences. Her sacrifice, combined with a vision of his father, catalyzed a profound transformation within him. In this moment of clarity, Ben Solo renounced his Kylo Ren persona and sought to make amends for his past transgressions.
The role of Kylo Ren's family in his descent into darkness and eventual redemption is a testament to the enduring power of familial bonds and love. The legacy of Han Solo and Leia Organa, while initially a source of immense pressure and conflict, ultimately became the foundation for Ben Solo's return to the Light. Their love and sacrifices underscored the theme that no one is beyond redemption and that even the deepest wounds can be healed through understanding and compassion.
Supreme Leader Snoke played a crucial role in the transformation of Ben Solo into Kylo Ren by expertly manipulating his emotions and fears. Snoke's cunning exploitation of Ben's vulnerabilities distorted his perception of power and control, leading him to believe that the Dark Side offered the freedom and strength he sought. This manipulation is encapsulated in the symbolic creation of Kylo Ren's iconic cross-guard lightsaber. The unconventional design, with its unstable, crackling blade, mirrored the tumultuous inner conflict within Kylo Ren himself. It served as both a weapon and a physical representation of the war raging inside him, a war between his inherent goodness and the dark impulses nurtured by Snoke.
Kylo Ren's allegiance to the First Order was a direct manifestation of his desire to break free from the perceived constraints of his lineage. Born into the shadow of two legendary figures, Han Solo and Leia Organa, Ben Solo struggled with the immense expectations placed upon him. Recognizing this internal struggle, Snoke promised Kylo a new path—one where he could forge his own identity, unbound by the legacies of his parents and grandfather, Anakin Skywalker. The allure of the Dark Side and the power it promised seemed to offer the autonomy and respect he craved.
Despite his apparent loyalty to Snoke and the First Order, Kylo Ren began to see the cracks in Snoke's facade. As he grew in power and confidence, Kylo's perception of Snoke shifted from that of a mentor to an oppressor. The pivotal moment came during The Last Jedi when Rey was brought before Snoke. In this intense confrontation, Snoke's arrogance and cruelty were laid bare. Snoke's treatment of Rey and his utter dismissal of Kylo's potential for redemption illuminated the manipulative nature of his control.
A complex mix of motivations drove Kylo's decision to kill Snoke. On one hand, it was an act of rebellion against the figure who had dominated and manipulated him for so long. On the other, it was a strategic move to seize power and establish himself as the true leader of the First Order. The scene is a masterful depiction of Kylo's internal conflict: while he kills Snoke to liberate himself from external control, it does not signify an immediate return to the Light Side.
Serena
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