• More More

Search

My Account Logout
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • twitter
  • other
  • NEWS + FEATURES
  • VIDEO
  • FILMS
  • SERIES
  • INTERACTIVE
  • COMMUNITY
  • DATABANK
  • DISNEY+
  • More More
My Account Logout
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • twitter
  • other

ALL OF YOUR STAR WARS FAVORITES NOW STREAMING ON DISNEY+

All

  • Andor
  • Behind the Scenes
  • Books + Comics
  • Characters + Histories
  • Collecting
  • Creativity
  • Disney Parks
  • Disney+
  • Events
  • Fans + Community
  • Films
  • Force For Change
  • Forces of Destiny
  • Galaxy of Adventures
  • Games + Apps
  • ILMxLAB
  • In Pop Culture
  • Interviews
  • LEGO Star Wars
  • Lucasfilm
  • Merchandise
  • Obi-Wan Kenobi
  • Opinions
  • Quizzes + Polls
  • Recipes
  • Rogue One
  • Solo
  • Star Wars Celebration
  • Star Wars Day
  • Star Wars Rebels
  • Star Wars Resistance
  • Television
  • The Bad Batch
  • The Book of Boba Fett
  • The Clone Wars
  • The Force Awakens
  • The High Republic
  • The Last Jedi
  • The Mandalorian
  • The Rise of Skywalker
  • The Star Wars Show
  • Visions
{:title=>"Opinions", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/opinions"} {:title=>"The Last Jedi", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/the-last-jedi"}

Why The Last Jedi is a Powerful Fable on the Importance of Teaching

March 12, 2018
March 12, 2018
Dan Zehr

In the latest film in the saga, both masters and apprentices learn lessons.

This piece is solely the opinion of the author -- and not officially official.

Teaching and learning is among the most prevalent motifs in Star Wars, particularly in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The mentor figure instructs the willing student in the ways of the Force. However, it’s not that cut and dry in Rian Johnson’s film. It’s much more of an unorthodox process for the Force-wielders on Ahch-To, and provides a masterful commentary on what pedagogy is all about. The line between teacher and learner blurs, as well as the lessons learned, and they often come from unexpected places.

Yoda and Luke in The Last Jedi.

Yoda

Perhaps no Star Wars instructor demonstrates this better than Yoda. He appears to call down lightning on the uneti tree and destroys the bound library of Jedi knowledge, much to Luke’s shock and consternation. In essence, Yoda appears to tell Luke that everything the curmudgeonly Jedi Master has held sacrosanct doesn’t matter all that much. On an initial pass, this may seem contrary to the diminutive Jedi Master’s previous lessons, but this is not the case at all.

Yoda is modeling a valuable tool used by many educators: adaptability. As a teacher, you may have an airtight lesson, but if you do not know your students, the lesson may fall flat. Hence, the need to modify the initial plan to best serve the needs of the learner. Yoda knows Luke is hurting, encourages him to take himself a little less seriously, and tells him failure is the best teacher. An unconventional philosophy for some, but Yoda sees things in a much more enlightened way. His appearance in The Last Jedi is paramount to understanding the unconventional nature of teaching for these characters.

Luke stands in front of a collection of ancient Jedi books in The Last Jedi.

Luke Skywalker

Luke’s unorthodox view of the Jedi way served him well at one point in his life, even leading him to bravely throw down his lightsaber in the Emperor’s throne room. Since that time, his faith in himself and the Force has waned; he believes the Jedi viewpoint and philosophy is part of what led to his perceived failure with Ben Solo and his plan to resurrect the Jedi Order. He has forgotten how to adapt and modify his point of view. He thinks he failed the galaxy, and is temporarily incapable of seeing things from a different perspective.

Luke carries a spetan channelfish on his back while Rey follows behind in The Last Jedi.

Luke Skywalker would rather endure a life of mediocrity than look directly in the mirror at who he is. He goes so far as to close himself off from the Force, which is problematic, considering that the Force is a big part of who the Jedi Master is. Some of the most successful teachers are lifelong learners in their own right, but Luke is temporarily incapable of learning from his perceived shortcomings. In short, his failure is complete, or so he thinks.

Ironically, his previous assertion that the Jedi are full of conceit is much more of a revelatory statement about Luke than it is the Jedi Order. Luke blames himself for Ben Solo’s fall to the dark side. His exile is less a personal stance against the Jedi way and is more of a reminder of his perceived failings. Ben Solo made his own choice to turn to the dark side, but Luke does not appear to acknowledge this fact. Instead, he turns to his own pride and conceit, which inadvertently helps catapult the galaxy into further turmoil. Failure is the greatest teacher, but you have to be willing to embrace this, turn from hubris, and learn from your mistakes.

Rey in The Last Jedi.

Rey

Fortunately for the Jedi Master, a major catalyst for his turning point comes courtesy of his hopeful student, Rey. The prospective Jedi seeks to learn from the legendary Skywalker on Ahch-To, and she certainly does, but not in the way she originally anticipated. Luke’s persistent refusal to educate Rey in the ways of the Force is a slowly increasing source of frustration for the former scavenger. How can a student learn without a willing teacher? The answer: you learn from their mistakes.

Rey and Luke talk in The Last Jedi.

During Rey’s first lesson, and despite Luke’s warning, she ventures into the ominous underground cavern, knowing it contains the dark side of the Force. However, Rey is not motivated by fear like her teacher is, and bravely descends into the cave, ready to face what awaits her. For Rey, her dark side is her fear that the identity of her parents defines her. In many ways, her sense of self is wrapped up in it. Ultimately, she wants to face the reality of the situation, even if the knowledge contained within is potentially unnerving. Where Luke operates under fear, Rey witnesses that mindset will prevent her from unlocking her true potential.

She overcomes, and uses the example of her teacher as a lesson of what not to do. Luke does guide her, but not as she may have initially hoped for. And, as a result, she demonstrates for Luke what it means to own who you are, and to face personal challenge with peace and purpose. The role of teacher and student is transposed, as a result.  Fortunately for the galaxy and the remaining members of the Resistance, Luke is finally ready to receive the lesson, and together, they give our heroes hope.

To teach is to learn, and The Last Jedi demonstrates this throughout the film. Yoda, Rey, and Luke all have lessons to impart, and each does so in unique ways. Embracing failure, acknowledging there is another way, and being prepared to face fear lead to adaptability and an opportunity to learn and grow. What may be unconventional for some is innovative for others, and leads to a new way to experience and impart knowledge.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi arrives on Digital and via Movies Anywhere on March 13, and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and On-Demand on March 27.

Dan Zehr is a high school English teacher with an MS in Teaching and Learning, and is the Host and co-creator of Coffee With Kenobi, a podcast that examines Star Wars’ mytholgy from a place of intelligence and humor.

Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017) opinions teaching

Related Stories

  • {:title=>"Opinions", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/opinions"} {:title=>"Characters + Histories", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/characters-+-histories"}

    5 Star Wars Scenes That Made a Big Impact

    January 5, 2023

    January 5, 2023

    Jan 5

  • {:title=>"Opinions", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/opinions"} {:title=>"Andor", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/andor"}

    From a Certain Point of View: What's Your Favorite Episode of Andor (So Far)?

    December 9, 2022

    December 9, 2022

    Dec 9

  • {:title=>"Opinions", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/opinions"}

    From a Certain Point of View: Which Star Wars Character Would You Invite Over for the Holidays?

    November 17, 2022

    November 17, 2022

    Nov 17

  • {:title=>"Opinions", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/opinions"}

    9 of the Scariest Star Wars Animated Episodes

    October 28, 2022

    October 28, 2022

    Oct 28

  • {:title=>"Opinions", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/opinions"} {:title=>"Characters + Histories", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/characters-+-histories"}

    From a Certain Point of View: Who is the Scariest Servant of the Dark Side?

    October 25, 2022

    October 25, 2022

    Oct 25

  • {:title=>"Opinions", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/opinions"} {:title=>"LEGO Star Wars", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/lego-star-wars"}

    From a Certain Point of View: Would You Rather Serve LEGO or Live-Action Palpatine?

    August 23, 2022

    August 23, 2022

    Aug 23

  • {:title=>"Opinions", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/opinions"}

    From a Certain Point of View: What Star Wars Movie Would You Pick to Introduce Someone to the Galaxy? 

    March 25, 2022

    March 25, 2022

    Mar 25

  • {:title=>"Opinions", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/opinions"} {:title=>"Collecting", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/collecting"}

    Go Figure: How Classic Star Wars Toys Made Me A Fan

    February 4, 2022

    February 4, 2022

    Feb 4

  • More From Star Wars:
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • SWKids
    • Terms of Use
    • Additional Content Information
    • Privacy Policy
    • Children's Online Privacy Policy
    • Your California Privacy Rights
    • Star Wars at shopDisney
    • Star Wars Helpdesk
    • Interest-Based Ads
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved