Have you watched the Disney + series Andor yet? I enjoyed every single episode of this series which focuses on the character Andor, who you might recognize from the film Rogue One which is about the small group of rebels that risk their lives to steal the plans that explains how to destroy the Death Star.
If you have not watched the new prequel series, I promise to keep this pretty spoiler free. One thing to keep in mind is that Andor is set five years before Rogue One and A New Hope. The Death Star is not complete nor do we have an inclination that the rebels are aware of this even being built, yet. While the Empire is definitely growing in force and power, the rebels are forming an alliance and beginning an organized and armed insurgency.
High Order Thinking
Using Bloom’s Taxonomy High Order Thinking, I had fun thinking about ways to personalize learning aligned to English-Language Arts standards for the students who love this series as much as I do.
Symbols
an object, a person, a situation, or an action that has a literal meaning in a story but suggests or represents other meanings
CASSIAN ANDOR
The name of the series and the protagonist is interesting. My first thought is that Andor sounds like a choice. And/or what? Throughout this series our characters have choices to make which are often between conforming to the empirical regime or rebel against it.
Evaluation: Pick a scene from the series where a character has to make a choice. If you were the character from Andor, consider what you would do if asked to make a choice.
SYRIL KARN
The name Syril or Cyril is from Greek origin and means lord or master. This fits our antagonist (ok, he is one of many) in the series because he likes feeling in charge and even wishes to be the keeper of rules. I would argue that there is an Oedipus complex with this dude given his relationship with his mother. Another connection to his name origin because Oedipus complex derives its name from a character from Greek Tragedy.
The actor, Kyle Soller, described his character as having “an extreme sense of need to impress, and fill a hole in himself. And so that really is about ascending to the top of whatever field he’s in. The field he’s chosen is one of restriction and complete control, and one of domination.”
Analyze: Do a psychoanalytical analysis on Syril and his relationship with his mother. Consider the actor’s thoughts on his character and the Oedipus complex to understand his unconscious and repressed desires. How does this element contribute to the whole?
Origin
the point or place where something begins, arises, or is derived
KENARI
Our protagonist, Andor, is from an Indigenous Amazonian tribe in a jungle world of Kenari. Kenari sounds a lot like canary. In literature, a canary symbolizes selflessness and compassion. Think back to what we talked about in regards to his name, And/or, a character faced with deciding to make a choice: ignore what is happening in the galaxy because of the Empire or be a part of something bigger which would require complete acts of selflessness. If one were to dedicate their life to a rebellion, our decisions are no longer our own. It is always for the cause.
YELLOW
The color yellow often symbolizes cowardice. While watching this series, note the various colors that are prominent. In particular, there is a lot of yellow, especially within the scenes in Kenari (pronunciation sounds like canary).
Knowledge: List the characteristics of Andor and note any cause and effect events that show a transformation.
Theme
the main idea or underlying meaning a writer explores in a novel, short story, or other literary work
LUTHEN RAEL
What is it like under the reign of the Empire? Making moral sacrifices because of what you believe in, whether as a part of the Empire or Rebels, is a common theme in this Star Wars series. Luthen is probably the best example of a person who is putting themself in danger constantly for a cause he believes in and has been “condemned to use the tools of [his] enemy to defeat them”.
Comprehension: Watch the Luthen Rael monologue and discuss the way his thoughts fit the theme of making sacrifices.
Enrichment: Thinking about symbolism in a name. Research the history of Lutheranism. Could he be named after Martin Luther and the evangelical nature of Lutheranism?
Motif
a recurring narrative element with symbolic significance
MOTHERS
I have always told my students that if you notice something being used figuratively 1 or 2 times in a story, it is probably a symbol. Three or more becomes a pattern–a motif. Please push me on this if you disagree. I noticed that mothers were seen throughout Andor more than 3 times.
- Andor and Fiona
- Syril and Eedy
- Daughters of Ferrix
- Mon Mothma and Genevieve
Synthesis: Compare and contrast the relationships of characters with their mothers.
Enrichment: Go back to the idea of the Oedipus complex with the character Syril. Using that critical lens, analyze his relationship with his mother.
As you know, I just love to nerd out on science fiction. That may not be for everyone. The practice is to find what our students are passionate about, maybe someone like me with Andor, and find ways to make connections in the learning so that students can show mastery in the standards. Let me know if you use any pop culture in your lessons and ways that you have seen it support student success.
See You Real Soon,
Erin
