O'Meara Family

The O'Meara family plays an important role in the development of the plot in The Devil's Own. One scene in particular that displays this importance is during the confirmation party. Every family friend is in attendance and in a way, becomes a part of the O'Meara family. Tom specifically includes Rory in the celebration though and in this scene, Rory becomes a part of the O'Meara family. Rory also pays special attention to the youngest daughter and takes on a role as part of the family. This scene sets up that both Tom and Rory have a bond and an obligation to one another. Tom included Rory in the photo with his parter to show this bond and obligation as Rory is put on the same level as Tom's partner. The confirmation party is an essential scene to the plot because it solidifies Rory's place in the O'Meara family.

There are many different families present in Patriot Games. Each family plays a very important role in the plot and helps to drive the plot. The most notable families are the Ryan's, the IRA, the CIA, the miller's, and the royal family. The Ryan's and the IRA drive the plot the most of these families.

A faction of the IRA is initially responsible for the attack on the royal family that Jack Ryan thwarts. Wile he is defending the motorcade, Ryan shoots and kills one of the attacker's who also happens to be the brother of the other IRA member. Although the IRA is split over whether the attack was a good idea, they do not want Sean Miller to revenge his brother. Miller however is determined t do so and with the help of his fellow IRA members, escapes prison and is able to track down Ryan and his family in the US. Miller would not have been able to spring from prison and track down the Ryan's. His quest to revenge his brother and kill those that get in his way is dependent on the participation of his IRA family.

Jack Ryan on the other hand does not wish to act out on behalf of his family, he only tries to protect and do what is best for them. Initially, he even avoids returning to the CIA because he realizes he should be close to his wife and daughter. When he does return to the CIA, it is because his family was attacked and he wants to do everything he can to protect them. His decisions are always with their good in mind.

Families play an important role in Patriot Games. Whether nuclear or organizational, there are many families that drive the plot of the movie. They are the driving force in much of the plot and cause many of the problems that occur.

Bauer: Blade Runner

There is a lot of symbolism present in the final scene of Blade Runner with Roy Batty. The first thing that Roy does that is interesting is that he saves Deckard from falling after chasing him all over the building trying to kill him. I think that Roy does this because in his final moments, he sees that he and Deckard are not too different from each other. I think that he realizes how precious life is and that if he truly does cherish. When he first grabs Deckard he says “Ah, kinship.” We can see here that he recognizes the two of them share some sort of bond. Although it is constantly unclear what is replicant and what is not, Roy realizes that these things do not really matter. He goes on to say that he has seen incredible things and with his last breath, that these things “will be lost in time like tears in rain.” Roy seems to show here that being a part of humanity is experiencing things that will never be known when you die. He saves Deckard because he realizes being a part of humaity means protecting the memories and ideas of other humans.

The dove that flys into the sky from Roys hands is a symbol of his pure soul leaving him. By the end of the movie Roy understands what it means to be human and that he is human because he chose to save Deckard. He has memories, emotions and can choose what his actions are. He is fully human and the dove shows that he had a human soul. The white dove shows that he was purely human despite the fact that he was created by man.

Bauer: Goddess Leia

In the Star Wars Trilogy, Leia plays two important roles in the hero's journey. She is both the temptress and goddess as Campbell would describe. Although her interactions with the two hero's are slightly different, she still plays both roles for each.

A New Hope, Luke and Han Solo both set out out to rescue Princess Leia from the Empire who has captured her. Campbell writes of how the goddess must give purpose to the hero. In the beginning his major purpose is to rescue her for reward or honor. However, upon rescue, she involves both Han and Luke in the rebel cause and the war. She has added new purpose to the journey for each. At the end of the first movie, we see her send off Luke into battle. In The Empire Strikes Back, she seems to be in charge of much of the operation of the base on Hoth. Also though, she and Han start to fall for each other. Althogh this may seem to be as if she is the temptress, she is also giving Han purpose in his journey, to win her over. In her talks with Luke, she discusses what it is he has to do. In the beginning of the third movie, she must be rescued again by Luke so that he may continue his journey. The rebels are also on a planet occupied by the Empire and she goes missing. It is up to Han and Luke to find her and their journey leads them to the Ewoks which will later help them in their fight. Leia is the first to find them so if she had not gotten lost, Luke and Han may never have made friends with the Ewoks and been able to finish their journey.

Leia is also the temptress. In the first movie, this is most prevalent when Han returns to help the Rebels because she is their. Although he was initially involved for money, she has made him want to come back. In the third movie, she is enslaved by Jabba and needs to be rescued by Luke. There are many instances where Leia is the reason for the actions taken by the hero even though it may seem out of the way or unimportant.

Leia is both the goddess and temptress. She gives purpose to Han and Luke's journey and becomes the cause of many of their actions. Leia is essential to the hero's journey.