After writing a draft of Star Wars, George Lucas began to read the work of mythologist Joseph Campbell, starting with The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Recognising some similarities to his own work, he modified the story to fit with what he had learnt from the book. Campbell's work is centred on the concept of the hero's journey, and puts it that all stories from across religions follow a very similar path; that while the wrappings may be slightly different, depending on things like time and place, the themes are universal and eternal. This notion gave Lucas the focus for his story. It begins with the call to adventure, and continues throughout the trials and tribulations, including the ideas of heroines or goddesses, father figures, returns and redemption, and finally the freedom to live, and this hero's journey is clearly the one followed by Luke across the trilogy, making Campbell's work a major influence on the series.
NCTJ-qualified journalist. Most definitely not a racing driver. Drink too much tea; eat too much peanut butter; watch too much TV. Sadly only the latter paying off so far.
A mix of wise-old man in a young man's body with a child-like wonder about him and a great otherworldly sensibility.
