Our story on the hidden potential of Jar Jar Binks attracted a flood of letters, but what was truly frightening was that almost every one of them expressed support and love for the happy-go-lucky Gungan. There’s a silent majority of Jar Jar fans out there, and they aren’t so silent anymore.

Misunderstood or Just Repulsive?

I learned early on that over-analyzing a movie or story can lead the reader to conclusions the author had no intention of creating. Having said that, your look at Jar Jar's role was interesting and almost made me want to like the character.

But it occurred to me that I don't dislike Jar Jar for his role -- I dislike his design. From the way he walks to the way he talks he is truly repulsive and demands less screen time.

I'd vote for zero seconds.    More Stories Jar Jar, Hidden Jedi? Jar Jar Fans Unite! Dawning Dread: What if Jar Jar Is the Hero? Episode One Blasts Off Video Shelves    Related Links Star Wars -- Dave McCoy

I've hated Jar Jar with a vengeance ever since I saw The Phantom Menace, but now you've got me thinking. The more I think about it, the more sense it makes.

Wow. I'm a bit lost for words, but now at least I can watch Episode I for a third time and maybe see some of the original spiritual spark that riveted me to the first three movies.

-- Ed Edwards

If you watch the scene carefully, you'll notice that Qui-Gon touches him and tells him to relax. So, Jar Jar actually succumbed to a Jedi control technique to calm him down.

As the Jedi weren't too scared, I suspect they knew what was going to happen. "Mighty big is the force." ;-)

Anyway, just my thoughts.

-- Carl B. Constantine

Perhaps the article was written from the literary source, which lies on my shelf waiting to be read, but after seeing The Phantom Menace in the theater four times and now multiple times on my own TV, I think I can safely say that Jar Jar does none of the navigating nor driving on the underwater journey to the capital city of the Naboo.

The Gungan spends his time waving his hands around, saying why he got exiled from his city, and finally, screaming at every other over sized tuna fish that crosses their path. So I think it was a failing to try and say that the Force guided Jar Jar, as it did Luke when it came to aiming and firing that shot that would lead to the Death Star's destruction.

Qui-Gon's words were directed towards Obi-Wan, when Jar Jar asked him how they knew where they were going.

However, the knowledge of Joseph Campbell was right on the dot.

-- Ross Brown

 I just finished your article on Jar Jar's potential for mythical importance. I felt the need to respond since I am a high school English teacher who is currently using the original Star Wars Trilogy to teach my freshman archetypical structure as it relates to myth and storytelling.

I guess that sounds a little more impressive than it actually occurs in class, since so many of the teenagers I have did not grow up with the trilogy as a part of their childhood as I did. I witness a lot of the same apathy and intolerance toward the saga as those who endlessly bash Jar Jar -- some students just could not stand Chewbacca's Wookiee howl!

Personally, I think this attitude is a stress on society induced by the lack of any mythical structure from childhood with which these kids could build values. They were born after the original trilogy, and many have grown up intolerant and unimaginative with no sense of the fantastical.

Your article could not have come at a better time. I’d be using your words to make a point in my classroom -- it will be a valuable tool in my war to root out ignorance.

-- Matt Mitchell

It's always good to see someone else thinking along the same lines as you, especially in black and white! Personally, my thoughts are a possible self-sacrifice on Jar Jar's part, allowing the Queen, kids and Obi-Wan to escape.

Certainly, if it's true that Lucas has taken in the criticisms of Jar Jar, I'd expect him to be somewhat changed in films 2 and 3. However, there is also the possibility that these are just hopeless wishes, and he will remain a total pillock for the rest of the trilogy.

Half the time when I see The Phantom Menace I either don't mind Jar Jar and enjoy the film as it is, or else I nit-pick him with total loathing and let him get to me. It's a balanced approach after a fashion, I guess!

-- Terry Rodgers