Rey, the central figure in Star Wars: The Force Awakens through The Rise of Skywalker, is one of the most intriguing characters in modern Star Wars lore. Introduced as a scavenger with mysterious origins, Rey’s journey becomes deeply intertwined with the legacy of the Skywalker family. Over the course of the sequel trilogy, many fans have debated whether Rey truly inherits the Skywalker legacy, or if she rejects this lineage to forge her own unique identity. This question has significant implications not only for Rey’s character but also for the broader themes of Star Wars and the role of legacy in shaping one’s destiny. In this article, we will explore Rey’s relationship to the Skywalker legacy and examine whether her journey leads her to embrace it or create her own path within the galaxy.
Rey’s Initial Connection to the Skywalker Legacy
At the beginning of The Force Awakens, Rey is introduced as an isolated scavenger on the desert planet of Jakku. She has no memory of her parents and seems to be cut off from the larger conflicts happening across the galaxy. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Rey is connected to the Force in an extraordinary way. Her innate connection to the Force draws parallels to previous Force-sensitive characters in Star Wars, particularly the Skywalker family.
When Rey meets Han Solo, she learns more about the legends of the Skywalkers, and it becomes apparent that Rey’s story will eventually tie into the family’s legacy. This connection is further explored when Rey’s relationship with Kylo Ren (Ben Solo) is revealed to be a central part of the trilogy’s narrative. Kylo Ren, a direct descendant of Darth Vader (Anakin Skywalker), serves as both a mirror and foil to Rey’s journey. Their connection through the Force, as well as their opposing paths, reinforces the idea that Rey is intricately linked to the Skywalker legacy, even if her parentage remains a mystery for much of the series.
The Question of Rey’s Parentage: Skywalker or Something Else?
One of the most significant questions that persist throughout the sequel trilogy is Rey’s parentage. Initially, there is speculation that Rey is a descendant of Luke Skywalker or Leia Organa, as these are the most prominent members of the Skywalker family still alive at the start of the trilogy. However, The Last Jedi introduces a shocking twist: Rey’s parents are revealed to be “nobody” — ordinary individuals who sold her for drinking money and left her on Jakku. This revelation, while surprising, ultimately sets Rey on a path of self-discovery, where she is encouraged to embrace the idea that her identity is not defined by her parentage, but by her choices and actions.
The reveal of Rey’s parentage is significant because it suggests that Rey does not need to be a Skywalker by blood to inherit the legacy of the family. While The Last Jedi upends the traditional expectations of legacy in Star Wars, it opens the door for Rey to define her own future, free from the weight of past family connections. This shift challenges the notion that the Skywalker legacy is a hereditary entitlement, suggesting instead that the force is available to all who are worthy of it.
Rey and the Skywalker Legacy: Embracing and Rejecting the Past
In The Rise of Skywalker, Rey’s connection to the Skywalker legacy becomes more complex. Despite the earlier reveal of her parentage, Rey still feels drawn to the Skywalker family, particularly after the death of Leia Organa, who had taken on a motherly role in Rey’s life. Rey’s decision to adopt the Skywalker name at the end of the film — when she declares herself Rey Skywalker — reflects both an embrace of the family’s legacy and a reimagining of it. She does not simply follow in Luke and Leia’s footsteps, but rather incorporates the lessons of their lives into her own journey.
Rey’s decision to adopt the Skywalker name is deeply symbolic. It represents her personal connection to the ideals of the Skywalker family — bravery, self-sacrifice, hope, and the belief in redemption. However, it is also an act of agency, signifying that Rey has chosen to be part of the Skywalker legacy not because of her bloodline, but because of the values she holds dear. Unlike Kylo Ren, who was burdened by the darkness of his own lineage, Rey chooses to carry forward the positive aspects of the Skywalker legacy while rejecting the cycle of pain and suffering that had plagued the family for generations.
The Skywalker Legacy and the Force: A New Beginning
Rey’s journey reflects an important evolution in how the Star Wars saga deals with the Force and legacy. While the Skywalker family has always been central to the narrative, Rey’s story introduces a new understanding of the Force. Instead of being tied to a single bloodline or family, the Force is shown to be available to anyone who is willing to learn, grow, and make the right choices. Rey’s journey is a testament to the idea that anyone, regardless of their origin or bloodline, can choose to fight for the light and bring balance to the Force.
This democratization of the Force is a key aspect of Rey’s character. Her story breaks away from the traditional narrative that only those with royal blood or a special destiny are meant to wield the Force. Rey, as a nobody from Jakku, proves that greatness does not require a noble lineage. She can create her own destiny, free from the constraints of family history. This is particularly evident in her final confrontation with Emperor Palpatine, where Rey rejects the darkness of her grandfather’s legacy and chooses to embrace the light, thus breaking the cycle of inherited evil that had plagued the Skywalker family.
Rey’s Relationship with Luke and Leia Skywalker
Rey’s relationships with both Luke and Leia Skywalker also play a significant role in shaping her journey. Luke, in The Last Jedi, serves as a mentor who initially rejects Rey, feeling disillusioned by his own failures with Kylo Ren. However, by the end of the film, Rey’s persistence and belief in the ideals of the Jedi inspire Luke to sacrifice himself for the greater good, passing on his legacy to Rey. In The Rise of Skywalker, Rey’s connection with Leia is even more significant. Leia trains Rey in the ways of the Force, passing on both her knowledge and her hope for the future.
Both of these relationships are crucial to Rey’s development. She is not just inheriting the Skywalker legacy because of their bloodline, but because of the lessons they impart to her. She learns from Luke’s mistakes, and from Leia’s wisdom, forging a new understanding of what it means to be a Skywalker. It is clear that Rey’s connection to these two figures is spiritual and ideological, rather than simply familial.
Conclusion: A New Path for Rey and the Force
Ultimately, Rey’s journey in Star Wars is one of both inheritance and self-discovery. While she chooses to adopt the Skywalker name, her path is not one of simply following in the footsteps of her predecessors. Rather, Rey forges a new legacy for herself, one that is not bound by the constraints of bloodline or history. Her story represents the idea that legacy is shaped by the choices we make, the actions we take, and the values we uphold.
Rey’s final choice to embrace the Skywalker name, despite her origins, signifies the triumph of hope, redemption, and self-determination over the darkness of the past. In doing so, she redefines the concept of legacy in Star Wars, proving that anyone, regardless of their heritage, can choose to carry forward the light. In this way, Rey both inherits the Skywalker legacy and, more importantly, creates her own unique path in the galaxy.