I'm leaving Beru alone, because I don't think she was as much a force in Luke's life as Owen was. Owen clearly dominates in that household; what that says about Beru is up for debate. Consider that Lucas' women (including Mara Jade) are all pretty badass until they hook up with a guy, and there's a point for discussion.
Now, Mara Jade. First of all, there is no reason, in the original Zahn incarnation, for her to be the least bit "feminine". She survived the *Emperor*, which is more than most everyone (including Anakin) can say. But beyond that, consider her upbringing and her situation. She's a Force-sensitive who doesn't have Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda looking after her, but a Sith Lord with a galaxy at his command. A Sith Lord who hoodwinked the vaunted Jedi Council before revealing himself and killing the Jedi off. That's power, and it's scary power. Mara Jade was brought up and trained with one agenda: to take out Luke Skywalker. She has no reason to have any feminine affectations.
I take real objection to the idea that a woman who cooks is not a "strong" or "real" woman. But in a fictional universe that promotes multiculturism and is constantly reminding us where prejudice gets us, equality between the sexes seems imperative. The only excuse for Beru's docile, subjective nature is basic cultural anthropology (she has no authority in Luke's life, that's very clear, so while I'm sure she was quite loving and very much the farmer's wife, I wonder what kind of husband Luke might have made had he never gone chasing after Leia). Beru is only one example of the women in the Star Wars universe; you point out in detail that she's a farmer's wife, she lives on a frontier, and therefore she's going to be a very different type of woman than Padme and Leia (brought up with the idea that women can and should be instrumental in governing and decision-making) or Mara Jade (brought up without female influence, under a violent and demanding father-figure).
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branchandroot
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Date: 2003-12-01 09:59 pm (UTC)Now, Mara Jade. First of all, there is no reason, in the original Zahn incarnation, for her to be the least bit "feminine". She survived the *Emperor*, which is more than most everyone (including Anakin) can say. But beyond that, consider her upbringing and her situation. She's a Force-sensitive who doesn't have Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda looking after her, but a Sith Lord with a galaxy at his command. A Sith Lord who hoodwinked the vaunted Jedi Council before revealing himself and killing the Jedi off. That's power, and it's scary power. Mara Jade was brought up and trained with one agenda: to take out Luke Skywalker. She has no reason to have any feminine affectations.
I take real objection to the idea that a woman who cooks is not a "strong" or "real" woman. But in a fictional universe that promotes multiculturism and is constantly reminding us where prejudice gets us, equality between the sexes seems imperative. The only excuse for Beru's docile, subjective nature is basic cultural anthropology (she has no authority in Luke's life, that's very clear, so while I'm sure she was quite loving and very much the farmer's wife, I wonder what kind of husband Luke might have made had he never gone chasing after Leia). Beru is only one example of the women in the Star Wars universe; you point out in detail that she's a farmer's wife, she lives on a frontier, and therefore she's going to be a very different type of woman than Padme and Leia (brought up with the idea that women can and should be instrumental in governing and decision-making) or Mara Jade (brought up without female influence, under a violent and demanding father-figure).