Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Plot Summary of LOTF books 1-3

Ok, so now I have read 3 of the LOTF books. If I had to summarize the plot thus far and tell you the theme...could I? Typically this comes easily to me, but for some reason I can't. Maybe it's because when I get these books I read them in a race. Last night I read Tempest from 5 PM to 12:20 AM and was done. Perhaps I am simply going so fast I am not giving myself time to process the material. Maybe I need to calm down and try a new technique (yeah right, Exile is next and Kyp is in it so you know I'm gonna spas! At least this time I was perfectly calm about Kyp's non-involvement, honestly it would not have made sense in the story line. So here is my attempt at summary.

This is the external conflict and plot:

The story begins with Corellia's dissatisfaction with the GA. The tension rises and negotiation fails. There is an assassination of the Corellian leader and misunderstanding regarding who attacked. It ends with battle between Corellia and the GA and a GA blockade. By the second novel Corellia has officiallly declared independence. This is the beginning of the Civil War. The GAG is formed with Jacen Solo as its commander. Protest becomes terrorism and civil rights are weakened as laws become oppressive. After two months things have not improved, in fact more worlds are likely to defect and join Corellia. Corellia makes a calculated attempt to draw Hapes to their side. This requires the execution of Tenel Ka since she is GA loyal. The murder is foiled however her usupers rally a small fleet and a battle is fought over Hapes in which the GA wins and Jacen is seen as a hero.

Now for the Internal Conflict and Plot:

This is harder because it is dependent on whose point of view is being presented. Obviously we have a Force powerful thinker named Jacen who is willing to learn more about his destiny. He embraces the Sith teachings willingly asa way to bring peace to his galaxy. He is a narcissitic man who thinks he can use his great power to save everyone, however in his manipulations and the manipulations of the bitter Sith Lumiya war is perpetuated. Jacen knows how to work people and in a short amount of time is given a very special position as head of the GAG (read Gestapo). In this position he rises to power and popularity within the fear fed culture of Coruscant. After two months he is the hero, given his own SSD and he takes the initiative to go to Hapes to protect GA interests there (do you really think it matters to him about Tenel Ka? I don't). Despite his ever questionable behavior he is popular as ever and the push is on from the top to make him a Jedi Master.

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