Luke, Aang and the Makings of a Compelling Hero
Luke Skywalker has supernatural abilities not found in our world. He can levitate things and see the future and he fights with a sword made of light. All of that is really cool. But in the end, his triumph as a hero has little to do with that. He doesn’t turn his father back to the light side with an impressive display of his Force abilities, but with an impressive display of compassion. His heroism is not about what he can do as a Jedi, but what he can do as a human being.
Aang also has supernatural abilities. He can bend the four classical elements and commune with the spirits of his predecessors. He displays humanity and compassion as well, but his ultimate triumph over Ozai is not achieved through any such qualities, but through the acquisition of yet another supernatural ability. Said ability is gained not through trial and tribulation and personal growth, but mostly through luck. Aang’s heroism is less about his humanity, and more about what he can do as the Avatar.
The use of fantastic supernatural powers to defeat evil is very far removed from us and our world, but the power of virtues such as compassion is something we recognize and understand and strive for in ourselves. It is humanity, not power, which resonates with us. Thus while both Luke and Aang have impressive abilities - and indeed, Aang’s are probably the more impressive of the two - it is Luke who is the more compelling hero.
Aang also has supernatural abilities. He can bend the four classical elements and commune with the spirits of his predecessors. He displays humanity and compassion as well, but his ultimate triumph over Ozai is not achieved through any such qualities, but through the acquisition of yet another supernatural ability. Said ability is gained not through trial and tribulation and personal growth, but mostly through luck. Aang’s heroism is less about his humanity, and more about what he can do as the Avatar.
The use of fantastic supernatural powers to defeat evil is very far removed from us and our world, but the power of virtues such as compassion is something we recognize and understand and strive for in ourselves. It is humanity, not power, which resonates with us. Thus while both Luke and Aang have impressive abilities - and indeed, Aang’s are probably the more impressive of the two - it is Luke who is the more compelling hero.