Mythological themes and characters can be found in all societies, religions, and cultures. If you look at the various countries from the East to the West, there are so many commonalities between us all and what we believe and resonate with.
"Star Wars is an example of what Joseph Campbell called the Monomyth, which reaches a broader audience and is more enduring," said Shanti Fader, editor of Parabola magazine, a publication of the Society for the Study of Myth and Tradition.
"The stories speak to something inside us that wants to know how our world lives, that wants to make order of it and find some meaning. Myths fulfill that in a way that science and facts don't always do, because science and facts don't always give us meaning."
In most classic mythology, a hero strives for something better in his or her life. A calling.
They are then granted this in the guise of a quest. They are often helped by a mentor figure that leads them through a supernatural awakening in a strange land. They are aided by a helper or co-hero. Comic relief is offered through tricksters or sidekicks.
In the Star Wars saga we identify with the mythology that we've been brought up with in story telling our whole lives. It's in our DNA. Luke is the hero. His quest is to bring the plans of the Death Star to the Rebellion. He's led by Ben Kenobi as he learns the way of the Force while travelling through strange lands. He befriends Han Solo who helps him save the princess, and later, the Rebellion. He's accompanied by two droids that offer most of the comic relief.
You can also look to the success of the Lord of the Rings saga, which was clearly a major influence on George Lucas. Bilbo is Luke. Destroying the Ring is the quest. Gandalf is Obi-Wan Kenobi. Strider/Aragorn is Han Solo. Pippin and Merry are C3-P0 and R2-D2.
This pattern of myth can be found in every culture and in every corner of the world. Thus, audiences recognize such themes, identify with them, and long to live vicariously through them.
Which, along with the other six reasons, is why Star Wars still matters after all of these years.
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