Star Wars: Farm Boy Turned Galactic Hero, A Luke Skywalker Breakdown
He’s short for a Stormtrooper but not for a hero to the Rebellion. This week, we’re taking a look at Luke Skywalker.
Luke Skywalker is probably the most well-known name in Star Wars, both in and out of canon. In fact, he’s probably the first character anyone in our galaxy thinks of when they think about Star Wars.
He is one of the few remaining Jedi, a hero of the Rebel Alliance, and a legend within the Star Wars galaxy. But how did this larger-than-life figure get his start? And what happened when he wasn’t on-screen?
Luke Skywalker’s Powerful Lineage
Luke was born to Senator Padmé Amidala and Anakin Skywalker in 19 BBY. His father was a former Jedi… And at the time of Luke’s birth, he was a smoldering pile, but he would soon become the infamous Darth Vader.
While his sister was adopted by Alderaanian Royalty, Luke was sent to Tatooine to live with his aunt and uncle. This move seems cosmically unfair, and also a terrible hiding spot.
Luke had a relatively happy and normal childhood. Maybe because his father wouldn’t learn of Luke’s existence for a while. Or Vader’s hatred for sand kept him off of Tatooine. Or perhaps it was the fact that Obi-Wan Kenobi moved in next door to protect Luke. His aunt and uncle tried their hardest to discourage him from going out on adventures. But their insistence seemed to have the opposite effect, and Luke got into nothing but trouble.
At 8 years old, Luke attempted to steal back water that Jabba the Hutt and his underlings had stolen from moisture farmers. At this point, he was saved by Kenobi. A year later, he took his uncle’s T-16 Skyhopper ship for a spin and crashed it—once again resulting in Obi-Wan attempting to help the family out of trouble. Shortly after that, Luke used some skillful flying to save his uncle from Wookiee bounty hunter Black Krrsantan.
This future Jedi’s entire childhood revolved around flying ships and helping other people out. So it would probably surprise nobody on Tatooine to know that he’d go through his teen years wanting more from life than farming moisture. It also makes complete sense that he’d eventually go on to join the Rebellion.
After the Galactic Civil War, every incarnation of Luke Skywalker remains a lifelong student of the Jedi way. He spends his life researching those who came before him and eventually goes on to teach a new generation of Jedi.
In the current canon, some of his most famous students include his sister, Leia, and his nephew, Ben Solo. He also trained Grogu, but the child didn’t want to be separated from Din Djarin and eventually chose to return to live traveling with The Mandalorian.
Unfortunately, Ben’s eventual fall to the Dark Side made Luke rethink training any more apprentices at all. He concluded that he had assumed the title of Jedi Master without earning it and shouldn’t have been training an apprentice at all. Whether this was a fair conclusion is up to your interpretation, but Luke eventually quit teaching before becoming a hermit.
Luke’s Final Stand
After being found by Rey on Ahch-To, Luke returned to the Resistance Base on Crait, seeing his sister and former friends for the first times in years. Then he left the base to confront his nephew and the First Order and give the remaining members of the Resistance time to flee. After seemingly surviving, blocking, and evading a full barrage of attacks, both from AT-M6 walkers and in person from Kylo Ren, Luke apologized to his former apprentice for failing him as a teacher.
After this it was revealed that Luke wasn’t physically on Crait at all. Instead, he was still on Ahch-To, projecting himself across the Galaxy to buy the Resistance some time and say a final goodbye to his friends. After using the last of his strength to project himself all that way, Luke was reunited with his father and former masters and became one with the Force.
Why Were Leia and Luke Seperated?
The children were being hidden from Darth Vader, so they were separated to help increase the chances that they wouldn’t be found. Or, if one of them was found, the other would be able to remain hidden. It’s arguable that hiding Luke with Anakin’s only remaining family on Anakin’s home planet with Anakin’s same last name wasn’t a great hiding spot, putting Leia at a clear advantage.
Why is Luke Skywalker So Special?
Luke is hugely accomplished as a Jedi and member of the Rebellion. And between this and the rarity of remaining Force users, he becomes something of a legend, even within the Rebellion. This was probably at least in part due to the fact that many had never seen anyone someone use the Force, let alone someone like Luke with a lot of natural talent and a little training.
Why Did Luke Disappear?
Luke put himself into exile and moved to Ahch-To to live in isolation after failing to keep his nephew, Ben Solo, from falling to the Dark Side. At this same time, he lost all of his apprentices and many of the only known Force users at the time. The enormity and weight of the failure was too much
How Old Was Luke Skywalker When He Died?
Luke was born in 19 BBY and died in 53 ABY, so he was about 72 year old.
There are too many great Luke Skywalker moments and adventures to highlight them all, but which is your favorite? Do you think he was ready to take on the title of Jedi Master when he did? Which of his apprentices—cannon or Legends—is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!
May the Force be with you, adventurers!
