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The thing about Rey is that for her to be a Skywalker would betray her whole thematic arc from The Force Awakens, in ways that would be really unfortunate for some of the people who identify with her. She really has two: first and most obviously, "I'm no one," who becomes powerful. She doesn't have fancy background or training, she's not some mystical Chosen One, she just steps up and claims her strength and succeeds. That's a powerful message to send, not just to girls but to all people.
Second, she suffered because of (as far as she knows) her family. She had years of abandonment, hunger, terrible conditions, because of what was done to her as a child. Through it all, she had this idea in her head that if they would just come back--they, the very people who left her to that--everything would be fine. That there would be a happy family. But she is the one sinned against, here. There are so many people (and I work with some of them) who have been abused and/or abandoned by their families. Most of the time, reconciliation is not possible because the abusive family is not willing to change to become non-abusive or non-neglectful. Any reconciliation requires the victim to make excuses for and buy into the abuser's story, at great cost to their own mental and emotional stability and healing. (Yes, I know, there may have been extenuating circumstances. That does not negate the damage Rey has suffered.) Our society privileges "heartwarming reunion" even if it means papering over and ignoring the damage done. I want more than that for Rey, and I want more than that for the people who identify with her. I appreciate that her arc was to let go of her idealization that "when they come back for me, everything will be fine," and go on to a new life not dictated by the family that (whether intentionally or not) left her in hell.
I will be very disappointed if Rey is secretly a Skywalker. I really hope they're trying to fake us out, and it's Finn. But regardless, I'd rather no new Skywalkers than Rey being one.
Second, she suffered because of (as far as she knows) her family. She had years of abandonment, hunger, terrible conditions, because of what was done to her as a child. Through it all, she had this idea in her head that if they would just come back--they, the very people who left her to that--everything would be fine. That there would be a happy family. But she is the one sinned against, here. There are so many people (and I work with some of them) who have been abused and/or abandoned by their families. Most of the time, reconciliation is not possible because the abusive family is not willing to change to become non-abusive or non-neglectful. Any reconciliation requires the victim to make excuses for and buy into the abuser's story, at great cost to their own mental and emotional stability and healing. (Yes, I know, there may have been extenuating circumstances. That does not negate the damage Rey has suffered.) Our society privileges "heartwarming reunion" even if it means papering over and ignoring the damage done. I want more than that for Rey, and I want more than that for the people who identify with her. I appreciate that her arc was to let go of her idealization that "when they come back for me, everything will be fine," and go on to a new life not dictated by the family that (whether intentionally or not) left her in hell.
I will be very disappointed if Rey is secretly a Skywalker. I really hope they're trying to fake us out, and it's Finn. But regardless, I'd rather no new Skywalkers than Rey being one.
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Date: 2016-08-11 01:58 pm (UTC)From:OMG LUKE, WTF WERE YOU THINKING?