Go Down, Moses and Star Wars on Imperialism and Colonialism - Research Paper Example

Go Down, Moses and Star Wars on Imperialism and Colonialism There are striking similarities between colonialism and imperialism though the differences must be examined as well. Colonialism is typically defined as the expansion of power by conquering new lands and gaining control over them. In short, colonialism is a system of direct political, economic, and cultural control by a powerful country over a weaker one. Imperialism is considered a more humane control that emphasizes an alliance rather than a domination. Colonialism seeks the control and gain of power directly while imperialism can be indirectly by formation of alliances and treaties among nations. Examples of both styles of domination and hunger of power are demonstrated in Faulkner’s series of stories in Go Down, Moses and in the empire of Star Wars saga. For example, Faulkner’s writings reflect the tensions of the south being dominated by the north. “In 1875 Mississippi Democrats "resolved to use as much force as was necessary" to regain control of their state government through elections, and their campaign of intimidation, which included the overt killing of blacks, succeeded.” (Sassoubre, 184). Both groups of stories review multiple generations of imperial rule but also show that regardless of the strength one group has over another, that rule is limited as ultimately human nature is to rebel against absolute domination. Colonialism may go through a series of phases from success to failure. In these stories, the ultimate goal is colonization as one group looks to expand and control another. Though Faulkner’s stories focus more on localized groups and the Star Wars saga presents a quest for a more universal domination, both use methods of imperialism to achieve this end. Though the collection in Go Down, Moses focuses only within one country, it demonstrates the relationship between whites and blacks and then north and south across several generations. This element of time present in both Faulkner and the Star Wars saga not only shows that imperialism cannot last forever, the repetitions throughout each new episode or story leaves the impression that regardless of time or characters, some themes are always the same in history. Both of these collection of stories portray a long history leading from colonialism through rebellion into freedom. In understanding the backdrop for the Star Wars saga, the dark side led my Palpatine take over the senate in efforts to dominate all of the universe. This is done through violent means as well as deception as it takes time before Palpatine is revealed as the enemy. He initially deceives Padme into believing he is an ally. However, his dreams of power lead him to use the force for evil purposes as he not only seeks power, but ultimate denomination in which he develops his own empire destroying anyone and anything who gets into his way including the young children Jedi trainees who are no more than children. The setting is Faulkner’s south is a strong inequality between blacks and whites even though the Emancipation Proclamation had been established. There was still a system of “Black Codes” the promoted racial segregation that still promoted a white supremacy in the southern part of the country. These law as prevented blacks from securing jobs, receiving equal education and other basic rights to which they were entitled. In both of these cases, the situation seemed hopeless for those being oppressed and whenever there were attempts at resistance, many were killed and the resistance was temporarily paused. However, even though in both stories the fight spanned generations, the hope to end the oppression never ended and both storylines demonstrate a progression from submission to resistance until ultimately victory was secured. Though imperialism may work, colonization cannot last forever as man’s need to be free is inherent in his nature. Both Faulkner and Lucas demonstrate this in their respective stories. The opening story “Was” demonstrates a typical southern attitude of family dominance in which power and dominance are gained by marriage which is more of an institution equated with slavery. In this story, humans are often likened to animals such as the depiction of Tomey Turl. This sets the tone for the southern version of imperialism demonstrating the results of one group seeking to control another whether it is due to culture or race. In this instance, there is a sense of silent acceptance where just the threat and implied power of one is enough to subdue another. This is the first level of colonization as the inferior group is overwhelmed and violent oppression forces them into submission and acceptance. This same theme can be seen in portions of the Star Wars saga. For example, Anakin’s mother is a slave and is given no rights but she also has no spirit within her to fight this situation and accepts it as her life. These examples both demonstrate the submissive act of imperialism where the threat of violence and retribution is enough for many to fall into submission allowing colonization to occur without resistance. “At times, he also upheld irrational and primitivistic modes of life as methods of emancipation from an increasingly mechanized and "demystified" world, while consistently reminding us that neither lasting emancipation nor redemption were possible in the world represented.” (Dimitri,20). Moving into “Fire and the Hearth” there is some level of resistance though it is more a sense of anger than action. The concept of different descendants of the family tree expecting different rights and privileges is not unlike Anakin who realizes he is different and has greater abilities than others and starts to verbally announce his frustration and desire for more. “Since the vast majority of Southerners opposed desegregation, however, Faulkner recognized that legal authority would be necessary to drive cultural change.” (Sassoubre, 199). Within colonization, there is the expectation that while some will become completely submissive, there is a second level of those who are willing to submit to those in power as long as they receive the rewards and privileges they believe they are owed. “But to the extent that active resistance to this type of ideology is feasible, it entails potentially dangerous (even suicidal) rebellion against the political system.” (Schneider, 101). In other words, this submission will not last forever because eventually there will be unrest. It is not natural for human nature to be dominated by others and eventually some type of resistance will begin to emerge. As any effort of resistance or unrest begins to stir, the concept of imperialism is that domination must then be re-established. Initially, the resistance might be small and unorganized making it easier for the dominating group to squash this effort. In “Pantaloon in Black” there is retributive death that serves both as punishment and warning. This same type of death is witnessed when Luke Skywalker returns home to find his aunt and uncle have been burned to death in the most gruesome manner, and scene paralleling Rider hanging from a schoolhouse also representing a very dramatic death. It is not the death alone that instills fear, but the manner in which the killing takes place demonstrating who is in control. It demonstrates that one is not safe anywhere, even at home. This demonstrates the violence and authority of those in power and sends a distinct message to those being colonized. To fight back now, the inferior group understands it needs to compete and resist on a different level or more intelligent level. In “The Old People” there are the explanations of cultural displacement and the idea of passing on tradition to the next generation. It is almost a history lesson. This same concept is seen in the Star Wars saga where the next generation of Jedi Knights is trained and even Luke himself is trained by the previous generation represented by Old Ben. The use of the word “old” in both stories focuses on that concept of transcending generations and how the fight of one becomes the fight of the next. However, the only method for continuing the fight and struggle is to pass on the history and lessons of the past so the next generation understands what the struggle is about. This concept is expanded in “The Bear” as the actual learning and training is taking place. The training of “Old Ben” in both Faulkner and the training of Luke through “Old Ben” and Yoda present very similar processes of learning both skills and inherent abilities and learning the ways of tradition but in both there is also the frustration demonstrated by the younger generation. Both are in a hurry to learn and need to understand patience. “Delta Autumn” acts almost in tandem as the same hunt in occurring but there is a revelation of family sin that is similar to the revelation of who Darth Vader actually is the Star Wars saga. Aboul-Ela argues that in this story Faulker “responding to similar historical narratives, namely the way industrialization led to a sort of dependent economic development that fostered neo-colonialism in various forms.” (60). It also is an example that complete submission will never occur and new members will rise up and take over the mission. This is seen both in Faulkner and the new generation in the Star Wars saga aptly named the rebellion by Darth Vader. One important aspect of the message in “The Bear” is the realization of social responsibility. There must be a fight against human great and the need to put an end to such destruction whether it is the destruction of the universe or the destruction of the wilderness. The heroes in both stories have a strong sense of morality which leads them through the fight. The death of the Bear Dear Old Ben had shown how an empire fell down. The power that once the great bear of the forest had for years was stopped by Boon and gives hope that no matter the odds, a great power can be stopped though the damage of the past. This is never undone as demonstrated when he visits the graves. It is also an example of why such drastic and violent methods are used by the oppressing forces as they are aware that resistance is always possible and they want to make effort to be ready and to fight. Without this possibility, there would be no need to continually mount an offensive such as the construction of the Death Star. The dominating imperialists are always aware that their leadership is in jeopardy. Also, Ike had the thoughts on rise and fall of empire throughout the storyline as he kept on checking the ledger left by his predecessors. Colonialism is directly seen in The Bear as the fellow men of Ike killed Dear Old Ben. On the other hand, Star Wars showed how imperialism fell when Darth Vader died due to the lightning released by Palpatine to kill Luke Skywalker. The death of Darth Vader who regained the consciousness as Anakin before he died led to the fall of the empire. The loss of power as Anakin redeemed himself by fighting against the Dark Side of the Force showed how the empire fell in Star Wars. It is not a symbolic death that demonstrates no force is so formidable that it cannot eventually stopped. Even Darth Vader was aware of this and knew better than anyone that there were two sides to the force and this resistance had to be taken seriously. Both stories reflected how the power and the dominating character fell and the empire and colony at the same time collapsed. “In order to achieve progress by non-violent means, Faulkner advised that the Southerners should be made to feel that they are in control, that they have initiated the integration process themselves. “Whites must be given the time to become conscious of their crimes so that they themselves, provoked by guilt and shame, would work for justice and equality.” (Dimitri,26). Note than even Luke tried to reason with Darth Vader hoping to find some good in him so that killing him would not be necessary. The violent solution was the last option and one he would take only when no other choice was given. The final story “Go, Down Moses” is the most direct message. It is also a message of hope for the future. This is not unlike the final message in the Star Wars saga where Anakin sheds the cloak of Darth Vader and returns to his innocence. This ending demonstrates how this fight spanned generations just as in Faulkner “Time and ancestry are expressed through one another, and in times relationship to ancestry the meaning of lives begins to emerge.” (Llewellyn, 497). The imperial forces have been defeated and the saga ends in celebration. Both stories reflect the dominating aspects of colonialism and imperialism as well as the weaknesses. The weakness is not necessarily in how the imperialists rule but rather in the institution of colonization itself. Throughout history, efforts of domination have continually emerged always to face resistance. “Faulkners universal significance resides in the lucid way in which he deals with social injustice, but also in his constant tendency to give both sides of the story, to create binaries and polarities, and to render tension .” (Schneider, 112). These stories indicate that the strength of human nature and need for self preservation cannot necessarily be dominated. Though imperialistic rule can exist for a period of time, it will always be met with resistance even if that fight becomes multi-generational. Works Cited Aboul-Ela, Hosam. "The Political Economy Of Southern Race: Go Down, Moses, Spatial Inequality, And The Color Line." Mississippi Quarterly 57.1 (2003): 55-64. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Dec. 2011. Dimitri, Carl J. "Go Down, Moses And Intruder In The Dust: From Negative To Positive Liberty." Faulkner Journal 19.1 (2003): 11-26. Academic Search Complete. Web. 5 Dec. 2011. Llewellyn, Dara. "Waves Of Time In Faulkners Go Down, Moses." Studies In Short Fiction 33.4 (1996): 497. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 5 Dec. 2011. Sassoubre, Ticien Marie. "Avoiding Adjudication In William Faulkners Go Down, Moses And Intruder In The Dust." Criticism 49.2 (2007): 183-214. Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 Dec. 2011. Schneider, Ana-Karina. "William Faulkner And The Romanian "Criticism Of Survival." Faulkner Journal 24.1 (2008): 99-117. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Dec. 2011. Read More