Rey and the Lightsaber: Legacy, Burden, and the Future of the Jedi
Introduction
The crackling hum of a lightsaber igniting is arguably one of the most iconic sounds in cinematic history. For generations, this elegant weapon has represented hope, justice, and the unwavering fight against the dark side. While many heroes have wielded this formidable tool, few have had a journey so intertwined with a particular lightsaber’s legacy as Rey, the scavenger turned Jedi Master. From her hesitant first grasp of the Skywalker lightsaber to the triumphant creation of her own unique blade, Rey’s relationship with the lightsaber is a powerful narrative of self-discovery, grappling with a burdened past, and ultimately, forging a new future for the Jedi Order. Rey’s journey is not simply about mastering a weapon; it is about confronting a legacy, embracing responsibility, and redefining what it means to be a Jedi in a galaxy desperately seeking balance. In the grand tapestry of the Star Wars saga, Rey and the lightsaber tell a story of resilience, hope, and the enduring power of the Force.
The Skywalker Legacy and the Weight of the Past
Rey’s journey is indelibly linked to the Skywalker lightsaber, the blue-bladed weapon originally constructed by Anakin Skywalker and later passed down to his son, Luke. This lightsaber, scarred by countless battles and familial turmoil, represents more than just a weapon; it embodies the Skywalker legacy, a lineage marked by both heroism and tragedy. When Maz Kanata presents the lightsaber to Rey in the depths of her castle on Takodana, it’s a pivotal moment. Maz doesn’t offer it as a relic of the past to be reclaimed; instead, she urges Rey to see it as a symbol of her own destiny, an invitation to step into her own power. “The belonging you seek is not behind you,” Maz tells Rey, “it is ahead.” This scene encapsulates the core theme of Rey’s arc: she must grapple with the past, acknowledge its influence, but ultimately forge her own path forward.
Initially, Rey resists this call. She is a scavenger, a survivor, accustomed to relying on her own resourcefulness and self-preservation. The idea of wielding such a powerful weapon, of inheriting the mantle of a Jedi, is overwhelming. In the stark reality of *The Force Awakens*, her reluctance is palpable. She instinctively recoils from the lightsaber, overwhelmed by a torrent of visions and a sense of responsibility she’s not sure she can handle. This hesitation highlights a crucial aspect of Rey’s character: she is not driven by ambition or a thirst for power; she is motivated by a deep-seated desire to protect others and find her place in the galaxy. She sees the lightsaber as a symbol of a past that haunts her, of a family she doesn’t know, and of a conflict she is not sure she is ready to face.
However, as the events of *The Force Awakens* unfold, Rey witnesses the destructive power of the First Order and the suffering it inflicts on innocent people. She sees the courage of the Resistance fighters and the unwavering hope of Leia Organa. These experiences begin to chip away at her resistance. When Kylo Ren kidnaps her and attempts to extract information from her mind, she discovers a latent power within herself, a connection to the Force that she never knew existed. This newfound power, combined with the encouragement of Finn and the memory of Han Solo’s sacrifice, compels her to embrace her destiny. In the climactic duel on Starkiller Base, Rey finally embraces the Force and summons the Skywalker lightsaber to her hand. With a newfound confidence and determination, she confronts Kylo Ren, realizing that the weapon is not just a legacy but a tool to protect the innocent.
An Unconventional Path to Mastery
Unlike Luke Skywalker, who received formal training from Yoda, Rey’s path to becoming a Jedi is largely self-taught, pieced together through experience, intuition, and fleeting guidance from Luke and Leia. This unconventional training shapes her unique fighting style and her perspective on the Jedi Order. She begins with rudimentary exercises on Ahch-To, struggling to connect with the Force and understand the ancient Jedi texts. But it is through her hands-on experiences, her battles against the First Order, and her unwavering commitment to protecting her friends that she truly hones her skills.
Rey’s lightsaber fighting style is a reflection of her personality: resourceful, adaptable, and fiercely protective. She utilizes her natural agility and quick reflexes to compensate for her lack of formal training. There isn’t a single classical lightsaber form that she meticulously follows. Instead, she draws from a variety of techniques, improvising and adapting to the unique challenges of each encounter. Her style is direct and aggressive, favoring powerful strikes and swift counters. While Luke and Anakin Skywalker were more prone to flashy acrobatics, Rey fights with a grounded determination, her movements precise and efficient.
Her connection to the Force is her greatest asset. She instinctively uses the Force to anticipate attacks, enhance her speed and strength, and even heal herself from injuries. This intuitive understanding of the Force allows her to overcome her lack of formal training and hold her own against more experienced opponents. She doesn’t rely solely on the teachings of the past; she trusts her instincts and forges her own path, proving that the Force can be accessed and utilized in ways that the old Jedi Order never fully understood.
The Broken Blade and the Forging of a New Beginning
The shattering of the Skywalker lightsaber during the struggle between Rey and Kylo Ren in *The Last Jedi* serves as a potent symbol of the fractured state of the Jedi Order and the need for a new approach. When the lightsaber is ripped in two, so too is the weight of the past it bore. The moment is fraught with meaning. The destruction of the weapon forces Rey to confront the limitations of the old Jedi Order and consider what it means to build something new. The act, directed by Kylo Ren as an attempt to break with the past, instead becomes a catalyst for Rey’s growth.
After the final defeat of Palpatine, Rey travels to Tatooine, Luke Skywalker’s homeworld, to construct her own lightsaber. The materials she uses are significant. She uses her staff from Jakku, a weapon she relied upon for survival for years before she even knew the Force. From this weapon, she fashions the hilt. The staff, which represents her resourcefulness and her connection to her past, becomes an integral part of her new lightsaber, grounding her Jedi training in her experience. The color of the blade is equally symbolic: yellow. While there is some debate among fans as to the exact meaning of the yellow lightsaber, it is often associated with balance, protection, and knowledge. It represents Rey’s commitment to finding a middle ground between the extremes of the light and dark sides, to protecting the innocent, and to seeking knowledge and understanding.
The creation of Rey’s lightsaber signifies more than just a new weapon; it represents a fresh start for the Jedi Order. She has learned from the mistakes of the past and is determined to build a more inclusive, compassionate, and balanced Order. She understands that the Jedi cannot be dogmatic or rigid; they must be adaptable and open to new ideas. Rey’s vision for the future of the Jedi is one where the Force is used to protect and serve all beings, not just those who adhere to a strict code.
Conclusion
Rey’s journey is inextricably linked to the lightsaber, from her initial reluctance to wield the Skywalker blade to her triumphant creation of her own. It is a symbol of her legacy, a burden she carries, and ultimately, the tool she uses to forge a new future for the Jedi. She is not just a wielder of a weapon; she is a symbol of hope, resilience, and the enduring power of the Force. The Skywalker lightsaber, with all its history and complexity, pushed her into the role of a Jedi, while the creation of Rey’s yellow blade shows the beginning of a new era.
Her story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of overwhelming adversity, one person can make a difference. Rey’s legacy is not just about defeating the dark side; it’s about inspiring hope and showing that anyone, regardless of their background, can rise to become a Jedi. Her connection to the lightsaber is a testament to her strength, her compassion, and her unwavering commitment to the light. Rey’s yellow lightsaber illuminates the path forward, a path that leads to a new era for the Jedi Order, one built on the principles of balance, compassion, and unwavering hope. Rey shows that the Jedi are not defined by their past, but by their actions and their commitment to a better future. The next chapter in the Star Wars story will hopefully illustrate her growth in establishing that future.
