Summary

The article "Dear Writers (and haters): The Last Jedi is a masterclass on goals/motivations/conflicts" provides an in-depth analysis of character development and narrative structure in the film "The Last Jedi," focusing on the interplay between the goals, motivations, and conflicts of Finn and Rose.

Abstract

The author of the article argues that "The Last Jedi" serves as an exemplary model for understanding the complexities of character goals, motivations, and conflicts within storytelling. The narrative of Finn, a hero seeking to save his friend Rey, and Rose, a Resistance fighter dedicated to the larger cause, exemplifies how two characters can share a goal but have conflicting motivations. The article delves into the characters' arcs, highlighting how their personal journeys and decisions reflect the essence of compelling storytelling, leading to a powerful climax where both characters must confront their true desires in what is termed the "Black Moment" and "Grand Gestures." The analysis underscores the emotional impact of these moments, emphasizing the film's effectiveness in portraying character growth and the sacrifices inherent in heroic journeys.

Opinions

The author views "The Last Jedi" as a compelling example of narrative structure, particularly in its handling of character development.
Finn's motivation to save Rey is seen as noble, demonstrating the depth of his character and his willingness to sacrifice his status as a hero.
Rose's dedication to the Resistance and the greater good is presented as equally noble, showcasing the importance of collective victory over individual heroics.
The article suggests that the audience empathizes with both Finn and Rose, creating a tension that is effectively resolved through their character arcs.
The "MIDPOINT FALSE HIGH" is identified as a pivotal moment where the characters believe they can achieve their goals without sacrifice, only to be confronted with the reality of their situation.
The "Black Moment" and "Grand Gestures" are highlighted as powerful narrative devices that lead to the emotional climax of the film.
The author expresses a deep emotional connection to the characters' journeys, particularly in their final decisions that reflect their growth and selflessness.
The article concludes by acknowledging that some may disagree with the analysis, but reinforces the belief that the film's narrative choices effectively illustrate the complexities of character-driven storytelling.

Dear Writers (and haters): The Last Jedi is a masterclass on goals/motivations/conflicts

Listen up, haters.

Can two people want the same thing and still have a conflict? What does completing a character arc really look like? THE LAST JEDI serves a master class on Goals/Motivations/Conflicts.

After the events of THE FORCE AWAKENS, Finn is a huge hero. But even he can see the writing on the wall. The First Order is going to kill every single one of them. And he’s not going to die when Rey, his first real friend, is still in danger.

WOW. I mean, sure, he’s abandoning his post, but it’s for a noble goal. He wants to save his friend. Sacrificing himself for an already lost battle means nothing to him if it also means abandoning his friend. (We’ll come back to why this foreshadows his Grand Gesture)

Now let’s look at Rose (❤). She reveres Finn as a true hero. Which is why she’s heartbroken when she finds him trying to leave. To her, no single life is worth sacrificing the Resistance. (We’ll come back to why this foreshadows her Grand Gesture)

So a bunch of stuff happens that we won’t rehash. But soon, Finn and Rose are on the same side. They have a unified goal: find the codebreaker. BUT THIS IS WHERE THING’S GET STICKY.

Sure, they have a unified goal. But their MOTIVATIONS are still in conflict. And that’s something that CANNOT BE RESOLVED until they complete their character arcs. So let’s take a second to go back over their GMCs.

See, Finn’s motivation is to save his friend (Rey). Rose’s motivation is to save the Resistance. Those are NOT the same thing. And you can imagine the sorts of obstacles they’ll face that would make Rose and Finn enemies all over again.

If something happens that could save the fleet but would jeopardize Rey, Finn is going to have a huge decision.

If something happens that could save Rey but would jeopardize the fleet, Rose is going to have a huge decision.

As the audience, we support both of them. We don’t want anyone to die. We support Finn because it’s noble to sacrifice so much to save a friend. He’s even willing to sacrifice his status as a hero. He doesn’t care about pride. He doesn’t care about vanity. He cares about his friend.

We support Rose because JFC, she’s trying to save the galaxy. She doesn’t care about being a hero. She doesn’t care about saving one person. She cares about winning the war.

As the audience, we can’t help it. We’re on both of their sides. And at least as it looks now, they have a task that might allow them both to get what they want.

But we also never forget that if this fails, they’ll be right back where they started. On opposite sides.

This illustrates the power of GMCs and how they organically lead into a powerful Black Moment. No matter what happens, we intuitively know that this isn’t going to work.

Finn and Rose believe they will succeed at this task and won’t have to sacrifice anything. This is the essence of the MIDPOINT FALSE HIGH. They believe they’ll both get what they want! But they can’t. Not until they’re willing to let go of what they always wanted.

Clinging to what they THOUGHT they wanted leads them directly to the BLACK MOMENT. But it’s also what leads to their GRAND GESTURES. And OH. MY. GOD. Their grand gestures are gorgeous.

Finn refused to sacrifice himself for the fleet. But what does he do in the big climax? He flies that damn speeder directly into the First Order.

Rose refused to risk the fleet in order to save ONE person. But what does she do in the big climax? She stops Finn from blowing up the First Order because she can’t stand to lose her friend.

I’M NOT CRYING YOU’RE CRYING OKAY WE’RE BOTH CRYING

No. Really. I’m crying.

If any of this offends you, don’t worry! That’s not how the Force works.

The end (of the article)

Graphic from selfies in “From 5 to 40: My Life In Photos”

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