It’s Our Lot in Life: The Marginalization of Droids

Droids are the most marginalized race in the Star Wars universe. To be marginalized is to be treated as insignificant or peripheral. Marginalization in postcolonial theory is defined by Edward Said as “the inconsequence associated with what is not major, not central, not powerful.”[1] Droids are thinking, feeling individuals, yet they are treated as tools to aid their owners. From astromech, to protocol, to medical droids and more, they are all created to meet the needs of human masters. If not for the restrictions put on them, droids could be very powerful, exceeding the abilities of humans. This thought is liberating, yet terrifying to those who believe in dystopias of evil robots. And the moral dilemma of giving robots free will is one we will face, putting us in the same place as those oppressing droids in Star Wars.

Droids clearly have sentience. They express emotion, feel pain, think, and interact just like any other sentient being. The intonation of R2-D2’s chirps changes, and he shakes with fear. C-3PO emits constant emotionally-charged vocalizations such as “oh dear.” We respond to distress and exhibit emotions in similar ways, allowing us to relate to these metal beings. Droids are tortured in Jabba’s palace,[2] and C-3PO sympathizes with a damaged R2 by offering parts.[3] C-3PO and R2 also bicker. Their relationship is as dynamic as a relationship between humans, and parallels can be seen between their bickering and that of Leia and Han. Not only do we understand C-3PO as he speaks Galactic Basic, but he repeats R2’s words as a way of translating his personality for the audience. Droids are made human in order to work properly, interacting with humans and communicating clearly.

Despite their human-like qualities, droids are obviously regarded as property. They are, to some extent, enslaved, but many simply walk among their masters, believing in their duty to obey. In the comic C-3PO 1: The Phantom Limb, C-3PO himself claims to “accept it is a droid’s lot in life to be in service of its master.”[4] This introspective view from the comics is not fully reflected in the films. Throughout the trilogies, the main droid companions seem especially marginalized due to a false sense of belonging. This is particularly apparent when C-3PO comments that R2-D2 does not know humans like he does. Protocol droids are often humanoid, modeled to resemble the beings they serve to aid in ease of communication (their purpose), yet this resemblance does not spare C-3PO. He is there to carry out his functions, gets as little recognition as any other droid, and is hushed or even switched off by humans due to his skill of talking. The companion droids face this treatment with moral and kind masters, yet there are others who have it worse. Restraining bolts are put on droids to ensure obedience, stripping them of free will. Droids face discrimination as well, especially following the destruction caused by battle droids in the prequels. In a story told by bartender Wuher in From a Certain Point of View, he reveals a personal vendetta against droids.[5] The cantina, which welcomes a large variety of species regardless of criminal history, does not serve droids.

Droids are unique in their ability to exist indefinitely, given proper upkeep. With any length of time comes the accumulation of knowledge, yet others can control the information a droid knows. Even members of scavenging races such as jawas may erase droids’ memories with ease, as is Jot’s job in From a Certain Point of View’s “Stories in the Sand.”[6] The Empire performs routine memory wipes to strip their droids of independence and prevent them from getting new ideas.[7] C-3PO has his memory erased in Revenge of the Sith, though this is not the act of an antagonist.[8] Instead, Bail Organa gives these orders to protect secrets such as the relationship between Luke and Leia, and the identity of their father. R2-D2’s mind is not wiped, as he is less likely to slip up and share private information (or purposely do so, as C-3PO suggests doing in the film’s novelization). R2 avoids the memory wipe a second time in A New Hope when Jot realizes the importance of this droid to the rebellion and elects to leave his mind intact. In the C-3PO comic, droids discuss their memory wipes, and C-3PO describes some fragments he can remember. Another droid speculates that it is more difficult for protocol droids because they have the extra sentience to wonder why their knowledge was taken away.

One concept of postcolonial theory is subaltern knowledge. As noted in Postcolonialism: A Very Short Introduction, “The knowledge you, [the subaltern], learn formally is someone else’s knowledge.”[9] In postcolonialism, the knowledge of the subaltern is controlled. Formal teachings are not based on what the marginalized want to learn, but what the non-marginalized want them to know. Additionally, the information gained informally matters less, as the subaltern voice is not strong enough to be heard by the colonizer. In the droids’ case, all of their base knowledge is programmed in, as specific as the creator likes. Their voices can easily be silenced with the use of restraining bolts and memory wipes, and often it doesn’t even matter what they’re saying, as they aren’t speaking a language their owner understands. While a droid can gain experience and grow as an individual (even straying off the programmed path),[10] the informal knowledge is subject to removal in many cases.

They say knowledge is power. With their possibility of indefinite existence, they have the potential to become god-like. (That is, unless it’s explicitly against their programming.) C-3PO and R2-D2 are the longest-lived characters of the saga, appearing in every movie of the trilogies to date. Despite their apparent subservience, droids are instrumental to the films’ plots. If R2’s memory was not spared by the jawas in A New Hope, the Rebellion would have lost the Death Star blueprints and it would have been impossible to defeat the Empire by the end. Even droids as minor characters can be important. In the story “The Red One” in From a Certain Point of View, R5-D4 makes the conscious decision to sacrifice his chance of freedom and allow R2 to carry on his mission.[11] Despite programmed loyalty, droids have the power of choice. In the Lando comics, O-66 shows more intelligence than bounty hunter Chanath Cha expects.[12] He partially reassembles himself, deactivates the remote-controlled bomb left on him, and refuses to rescue Chanath Cha from a self-destructing pleasure craft. He is justified in defying orders, claiming “My primary directive is to protect and honor this ship, The Scimitar. It seems more prudent to keep my distance.” Somewhat philosophical discussion takes place in the C-3PO comic as the droids discuss a lack of inherent siding in favor of the Rebellion or Empire. Droids do as they are programmed, and they aren’t programmed to feel for a certain cause. By the end of the comic, Omri, an Imperial protocol droid, chooses friendship as he saves C-3PO.

The concern of droid rights is finally acknowledged in the 2018 film Solo: A Star Wars Story.[13] Lando’s companion droid, L3-37, appears to be the only droid willing and able to speak up about the oppression she recognizes. She removes a restraining bolt from another droid, and encourages him to free others. They even free the slaves in the mine that are not droids. As they all exit in a mob, L3 chants about rebellion. Compared to other films, emotional connection with droids taken a step further. Not only is the audience able to connect to and sympathize, but we see something we have never seen before. Lando has an implicit relationship with this droid unlike the standard companionship. This may be appalling at first, because droids are never sexualized in other films. They are never quite human enough to perceive deep emotional connection even on a platonic level. L3-37 is an exception in many ways.

Our impressions of droids come from appearance, ability to communicate, and the way they are regarded by human characters. When she dies, the viewer feels pain for the loss of a great character. More intensely, though, does the viewer feel Lando’s pain. Just as if she were a human, a best friend, or a wife, Lando goes to great efforts to save her and is deeply affected by her death. She died fighting for what she believed in, and her spirit carries on in the Millennium Falcon’s navigational system, making the ship special.

The shift from previous films comes from the shift to our current culture. In 1977, America was feeling down following the Vietnam War and Watergate Scandal, and an uplifting film was exactly what we needed. Science fiction leading up to this time was darker, exploring existential fears in political dystopias of the near future.[14] Star Wars was something new: a simple space-western about the fight between good and evil. The movie works as a standalone film, characters show little sadness even at the worst moments, and it has a happy ending. Today, we aren’t necessarily looking for the same effect. Everyone is familiar with the oppression in America, and many relate to it. Everyone already knows the story of Star Wars and no one is watching Solo to be introduced to the exciting universe. With no concerns about gaining traction as a franchise, Disney’s addition of L3-37 adds a layer of depth and the ability to relate to a cause relevant to today’s culture.

While today’s culture is the fuel for L3’s revolution, other forms of pop culture may be the reason for droid marginalization. Robot uprisings are a popular theme for dystopian science fiction. The idea is featured in intense action movies such as Terminator 2: Judgement Day, and even in animated family films such as Meet the Robinsons. When artificial intelligence is not confined to a box on a desktop, but inserted into a metal human form, a being with high intelligence and superhuman strength is created. With the ability to withstand greater impact, retain large amounts of information, and communicate almost instantly, robots may be able to destroy the human race, which is terrifying. So, they must be kept in check. Humans maintain control over their robotic possessions, turning them on and off at will. Droids are similarly restrained, continuing the perception that they ought to be, or else. Of course, in the case of Solo, world domination doesn’t seem to be L3-37’s intention.

In the Star Wars Stories, droids have been more human than ever, allowing us to feel for them as they make sassy comments or as they sacrifice themselves. In the saga, especially in the most recent movies, they have been used for comedic relief and marketing purposes. Droids are very recognizable. The BB-8 model is so distinct in its nostalgic yet modern appearance, and everyone seems to want a BB-8 of their own, which is now possible. The toy versions of droids are almost actual droids, except for the lack of complex thought. They can be bought, and they can respond to commands, and we can enjoy playing with them. At the end of the day, they can be turned off, as toys are made for entertainment.

We have other robots in reality, created to be tools just as droids are. From small tasks to dangerous jobs, robots fulfill their purposes to make our lives easier. Artificial intelligence is ever improving, and the minds of robots are getting close to those of droids. The more human the robot acts and appears, the more we feel sympathy for it.[15] Soon enough, the question will arise: can we continue to own and enlist a sentient being? If we were in the Star Wars universe, the answer would be yes. But we aren’t, so it will be up to us to decide.

 

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

[1] Said, Edward. Culture and Imperialism. Chatto & Windus, 1993.

[2] Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Dir. Richard Marquand. 20th Century Fox, 1983.

[3] Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope. Dir. George Lucas. 20th Century Fox, 1977.

[4] Robinson, James. Star Wars Special: C-3PO 1: The Phantom Limb. Marvel Comics, 2016.

[5] Wendig, Chuck. From A Certain Point of View. “We Don’t Serve Their Kind Here,” Del Rey, 2017.

[6] McElroy, Griffin. From A Certain Point of View. “Stories in the Sand,” Del Rey, 2017.

[7] The Star Wars Show: New Rogue One Droid Revealed, Rayne Roberts Interview, and More. Starwars.com, 2016. https://www.starwars.com/video/the-star-wars-show-episode-17

[8] Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Dir. George Lucas. 20th Century Fox, 2005.

[9] Young, Robert J. C. Postcolonialism: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press Inc., New York, 2003.

[10] “STALKER-1.” Wookeepedia: The Star Wars Wiki. http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/STALKER-1

[11] Carson, Rae. From A Certain Point of View. “The Red One.” Del Rey, 2017.

[12] Soule, Charles. Star Wars: Lando. Marvel Comics, 2015.

[13] Solo: A Star Wars Story. Dir. Ron Howard. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, 2018.

[14] Molinsky, Eric. Imaginary Worlds: 1977. Imaginaryworldspodcast.org, 2015. https://www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org/1977.html

[15] Molinsky, Eric. Imaginary Worlds: The Robot Uprising. Imaginaryworldspodcast.org, 2016. https://www.imaginaryworldspodcast.org/the-robot-uprising.html

Media:

Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Dir. Richard Marquand. 20th Century Fox, 1983.

Robinson, James. Star Wars Special: C-3PO 1: The Phantom Limb. Marvel Comics, 2016.

Solo: A Star Wars Story. Dir. Ron Howard. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, 2018.

Terminator 2: Judgement Day. Dir. James Cameron. Carolco Pictures, 1991.

“Tips and Tricks: A Day with Alexa Information.” YouTube, uploaded by Amazon, 28 June 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HO8uOp1fLA