“Potter” Parallels Found in “Star Wars: Episode IV”
Have you ever watched Star Wars and thought, “I’ve seen/heard this in Potter?” If you are like me and came to the Star Wars fandom post-Potter, I hope the answer is a resounding “yes.” If you do things in order and were a Wars fan pre-Potter, hats off to you. Hopefully, you read Potter and said, “I’ve seen/heard a lot of this in Star Wars.” Maybe you even thought that Snape would turn out to be Harry’s father. Thankfully, that’s not so.
Before we get into the parallels I found in Potter and Episode IV, I want to say that this post was inspired by listening to MuggleNet Academia: Lightsabers and Wands. It is the longest episode Academia has ever done, but so good I’ve listened to it three times and will likely re-listen a few more times. With that said, here are a few parallels I found upon re-watching Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope.
1. The Anti-Mentor Uncle
That wizard’s just a crazy old man.” ~ Uncle Owen
Uncle Owen labels Obi-Wan “crazy” just as Uncle Vernon labels Dumbledore a “crackpot old fool” in Sorcerer’s Stone.
2. Like Father, Like Son
He was the best star-pilot in the galaxy, and a cunning warrior. I understand you’ve become quite a good pilot yourself. And he was a good friend. Which reminds me…” ~ Ben (Obi-Wan)
Harry is also told many times that his father was a superb flyer, Quidditch player, and friend — much like Harry.
3. Gift from “Deceased” Father
I have something here for you. Your father wanted you to have this when you were old enough, but your uncle wouldn’t allow it. He feared you might follow old Obi-Wan on some damned-fool idealistic crusade like your father did… Your father’s lightsaber.” ~ Ben (Obi-Wan)
Harry was given a similar inheritance from his father, the Invisibility Cloak, by his “crazy” mentor.
4. The Mindwipe
Ben: You don’t need to see his identification.
Trooper: I don’t need to see his identification.
Ben: These are not the droids you’re looking for.
Trooper: These are not the droids we’re looking for.
Ben: He can go about his business.
Trooper: You can go about your business.
If you remember, Harry used the Imperius Curse when breaking into Gringotts in Deathly Hallows. Strong with the Force he was.
5. The Local Watering Hole
In search of transport off of Tatooine, Obi-Wan, Luke, and the droids head to a bar in town. These bar or bar-like scenes where the heroes search for information or assistance are littered throughout the series. Similarly, Harry and the trio use pubs to meet, find answers, organize rebellions against toad-like women who wear way too much pink, and sneak into a Death Eater-infested Hogwarts.
6. The Sidekick with the Emotional Range of a Teaspoon
Your friend is quite a mercenary. I wonder if he really cares about anything… or anyone.” ~ Leia
Leia accuses Han of being devoid of a heart, and Hermione accuses Ron of having the emotional range of a teaspoon in Order. Mad-Eye Crouch makes a similar observation about Harry when he resists the Imperius Curse.
7. Strong Minds
Her resistance to the mind probe is considerable. It will be some time before we can extract any information from her.” ~ Darth Vader
Leia has a strong mind, as does Hermione. When Bellatrix is torturing her for information, Hermione does not give in.
8. The Real Thing
Look, going good against remotes is one thing. Going good against the living? That’s something else.” ~ Han Solo
Hermione conveys a similar message to Harry in Order to convince him that he is the one who needs to teach the DA, not her. She’s good in class, but Harry has faced Voldemort in real life.
9. Mistaken Weakness
Your powers are weak, Old Man.” ~ Darth Vader to Obi-Wan
Voldemort, through Harry, utters, “You’ve lost, old man,” when they battle it out in the Ministry at the end of the Order of the Phoenix film. Vader, like Voldemort, doesn’t realize that killing someone who is willing to meet Death like an old friend doesn’t make them weaker, it makes them stronger.
10. Purposeful Death
You cannot win, Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.” ~ Obi-Wan
Both Obi-Wan and Dumbledore purposefully die, and they do so in front of their mentee, the one meant to save the galaxy/world.
Those are ten of the parallels I saw between Harry Potter and Star Wars: Episode IV. What have you found?
