Chiastic Structure (aka Ring Theory) & Star Wars
A lot of people doubt the idea of Rey and Kylo Ren having a strong relationship in Star Wars. After recently encountering and exploring Chiastic theory in storytelling, I think this theory further emphasizes how Rey & Kylo Ren will have a relationship which will contribute to their growth as characters.
Star Wars Is About Growth
As most of us know, Star Wars is about character growth rather than plot. I recall a lot of voices pipping up, complaining about how the plot was so similar to the original Star Wars plots. Although I agree the plot line plays on original ideas, I think this is part of what the Star Wars episodes are about. Especially if you analyze these episodes using this ring theory. However, the repetition of plot lines has a purpose. According to Darvey (2014) in an academic thesis or dissertation on chiastic logic in modern works: “chiastic by which destruction, instead of being hermetically isolated from the hopeful perspectives of progress, turns out to be the latter’s very motivation and condition of existence” (p. 40). Basically, that which motivates our good character (Rey) is the opposite of what she wants. Rey wants love or family...what motivates her is fear of never having it. Thus, the focus is on the character rather than on the plot line.
Chiastic structure is an old rhetorical strategy that you can see in moral texts, like the Bible. The basic structure of a chiastic text is AB/BA. To put this in relation to Star Wars: A) the hero is introduced to us while on a desert wasteland B) the hero starts his training to become a Jedi B) The hero starts his training for the dark side of the force A) Introduced hero on a desert wasteland.
The great thing about using a parallel structure like this, again, is that the emphasis isn’t on the actual sequence of events. Instead, the emphasis is on the motifs or the themes that surround the characters. What lessons are being emphasized in each episode? What is the underlying moral? The focus and the emphasis on these morals are what the story is about. Dr. Yonatan Grossman sums it up quite nicely: A narrative arranged in a chiastic structure that relies on plot relationships is usually tied to the most dramatic change that occurs in the plot. In other words, when the connections are linguistic or rely on broad motifs, the structure can move in parallel to the development of the plot, so that hidden readings emerge from beneath the surface without arising from the continuity of the plot itself. This is not true when we speak of structure that responds to the actual development of the plot”. There is a reason for chiastic structure!
What’s So Cool About Star Wars?
I think what’s so neat about Star Wars are the underlying moral themes that are emphasized with the use of chiastic structure. As I have told TONS of friends, colleagues, etc. my idea for what Star Wars is about is: 1) the fall of man 2) the inner struggle for balance 3) man’s redemption. That being said, I think Star Wars is a huge chiastic story that emphasizes these three concepts. When you combine these themes, as audience members, we learn what it takes to find balance in ourselves and, by consequence, redemption when we fall from that balance.
