Video credit goes to Jorah the Andal - Music originally from Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) and Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Seasons One Through Six Original Soundtrack). Composed by Kevin Kiner.
If I were to pick favorites among the Star Wars cast, Ashoka Tano would definitely rank among the top. Not only is she a very strong character in terms of personality and interactions with other canon characters, but she also underwent a lot of growth. Her interactions with Anakin in particular were greatly heartwarming as the two were in fact literary foils. Unfortunately, as most younger characters do, Ashoka hasn't exactly had it easy either — the Togruta was forced out of the Jedi Order, endured Order 66, and has to come to terms with the fact that her master has transformed into Darth Vader of all things. Her theme reflects her hardships as well as her intense connection to the Force. In this post, I hope to break down the instrumentals in her theme, and understand how they represent her character.
The most prominent instruments used in Ashoka's theme are the flute, various string instruments such as the violin and cello, as well as the trumpets. Due to its rather soft and broody tone, the flute was often used to symbolize nature, as well as a connection to mystical forces. Ashoka Tano is shown numerous times to possess a strong connection to the light side of the Force. In fact, her original name was going to be Ashla, which according to the Bendu, is the proper name for the light side of the Force. Violin in music usually represents melancholy, mostly because its pitch is between the cello and viola. While no instrument is used exclusively for sad music, the violin tends to appear the most often. Other themes explored by the violin include home, warmth, and belonging.
What do these instruments mean for Ashoka? My view is that Ashoka is a character who, after being exiled from the Jedi Order and witnessing order 66, has come to find a new place to belong. Not only is she very much grounded in her role as a Jedi, shown in her interactions with Ezra, but she has her own place in the Resistance.
Until next time!
Commenti