Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)

The Leitmotif for Princess Leia Organa

Unlike Luke, Princess Leia Organa’s leitmotif does not develop throughout the film. Consisting of a slow alluring melody contained in the strings and French horns, the leitmotif is full of rising major sixths that “suggest a passionate longing” (Lerner 99). This music seems to portray her as a “relatively passive object” which casts her into the “traditional subservient roles” of women (Lerner 99). This femininity is musically assigned to Leia from the first moment she is fully viewed by the audience. Hiding in the walls of the raided Rebel ship, her appearance is accompanied by a prominent flute melody, which is the first soothing, yearning tone heard by the audience. Even though she holds a gun the audience knows that she will not be able to defend herself with it because this is not the role the music assigns to her. Moments later this proves true as she is shot, accompanied by a rising string and wind line that seems reminiscent of the earlier melody. Similarly, when she is first found by Luke Skywalker the music instantly melts from a driving military melody to the soft winds, harp, and strings of Leia’s leitmotif. And just as this sensual music is built within the driving action, Leia is laying supine, inviting, almost sexual upon the black metal ledge. No matter how much strength she shows in standing up to Darth Vader or fighting alongside the men, the music constantly reverts her character back to this passive, feminine role.

Back to Leitmotif Home

Back to Star Wars Home