The following are two comprehension questions on a section of The Return of The Jedi - Novel

QUESTION ONE

Describe the various levels of conflict that can be seen in this extract.

You must use quotes to support your understanding and write in full sentences

Length : At least 2/3 of a page (10 MARKS)

QUESTION TWO

What techniques does the writer use to make this passage interesting?

You should discuss PLOT, SETTING, ACTION and LANGUAGE.

You must use quotes to support your understanding and write in full sentences.

Length : At least 2/3 of a page (10 MARKS)

By James Kahn, from a story by George Lucas and a screenplay by George Lucas and Lawrence Kasdan.

The Emperor continued.

" From here, young Skywalker, you will witness the final destruction of the Alliance - and the end of your insignificant rebellion."

Luke was in torment. He raised his hand further. He realised both Palpatine and Vader were watching him. · He lowered his hand, lowered his level of anger, tried to restore his previous calm, to find his centre to see what it was he needed to do. The Emperor smiled a thin dry smile. He offered the lightsaber to Luke.

" You want this, don't you? The hate is swelling in you, now. Very good, take your Jedi weapon. Use it. I am unarmed. Strike me down with it. Give in to your anger. With each passing moment you make yourself more my servant."

His rasping laughter echoed off the walls like desert wind. Vader continued staring at Luke. Luke tried to hide his agony. " No, never." He thought desperately of Ben and Yoda. They were part of the Force now, part of the energy that shaped it. Was it possible for them to distort the Emperor's vision by their presence? No one was infallible, Ben had told him - surely the Emperor couldn't see everything, couldn't know every future, twist every reality to suit his gluttony. The Emperor leered, and put the lightsaber down on the control chair near Luke's hand.

'It is unavoidable,' the Emperor said quietly. 'It is your destiny. You, like your father, are now . . . mine.' Luke had never felt so lost.

The Emperor, Lord Vader, and Luke watched the aerial battle rage from the safety of the throne room in the Death Star. It was a scene of pandemonium. Silent, crystalline explosions surrounded by green, violet, or magenta auras, wildly vicious dogfights, gracefully floating crags of melted steel: icicle sprays that might have been blood. Luke watched in horror, as another Rebel ship toppled, exploding in a fiery concussion.

Vader watched Luke. There was a time to take Luke for his own - to retake him, to join with him in dark majesty, to rule the galaxy together. It would only take patience and a little wizardry to show Luke the exquisite satisfactions of the dark way and to pry him from the Emperor's terrified clutch. Vader knew Luke had seen it, too - the Emperor's fear. He was a clever boy, young Luke, Vader smiled grimly to himself. He was his father's son.

The Emperor interrupted Vader's contemplation with a cackled remark to Luke. 'As you can see, my young apprentice your friends have failed! And now witness the power of this fully armed and operational battle station.' He walked over to the comlink and spoke in a gravelly whisper. `Fire at will, Commander.'

In shock, and in foreknowledge Luke looked out across the surface of the Death Star, to the space battle beyond and to the bulk of the Rebel fleet beyond that. Luke watched in impotent horror, as the unbelievably huge laser beam radiated out from the muzzle of the Death Star. It touched - for only an instant - one of the Rebel Star Cruisers that was surging in the midst of the heaviest fighting. And in the next instant, the Star Cruiser was vaporised. Blown to dust. Returned to its most elemental particles in a single burst of light.

In the numbing grip of despair, Luke's eyes, alone, glinted - for he saw, again, his lightsaber, lying unattended on the throne. The Emperor smiled.

'Good. I can feel your anger. I am defenseless - take your weapon. Strike me down with all of your hatred and your journey toward the dark side will be complete.' He laughed and laughed. Luke was able to resist no longer. The lightsaber rattled violently on the throne a moment, then flew into his hand, impelled by the Force. He ignited it a moment later and swung it with his full weight downward toward the Emperor's skull. In that instant, Vader's blade flashed into view, parrying Luke's attack an inch above the Emperor's head. Sparks flew like forging steel. bathing Palpatine's grinning face in a hellish glare.

Luke jumped back and turned, lightsaber upraised, to face his father. Vader extended his own blade, poised to do battle. The Emperor sighed with pleasure and sat in his throne, facing the combatants - the sole audience to this dire, aggrieved contest.

Vader was impressed with Luke's speed. Pleased, even. It was a pity almost, he couldn't 1et the boy kill the Emperor yet. Luke wasn't ready for that, emotionally. There was still a chance Luke would return to his friends if he destroyed the Emperor now.

Before Vader could gather his thoughts much further Luke attacked again - much more aggressively. He advanced in a flurry of lunges, each met with a loud crack of Vader's phosphorescent saber.

The Dark Lord retreated a step at every slash, swivelling once to bring his cutting beam up viciously - but Luke batted it away pushing Vader back yet again.

The Lord of the Sith momentarily lost his footing on the stairs and tumbled to his knees. [Luke] … had the power; the choice was his. And then another thought emerged : he could destroy the Emperor, too. Destroy them both and rule the galaxy. Avenge and conquer. It was a profound moment for Luke. Dizzying. He took one step forward. Luke faltered a moment - then realised what was happening. He was suddenly confused again. What did he want ? What should he do ?

He took a step back. lowered his sword, relaxed and tried to drive the hatred from his being. In that instant Vader attacked. He lunged half up the stairs forcing Luke to reverse defensively. He bound the boy's blade with his own, but Luke disengaged and leaped to the safety of an overhead gantry. Vader jumped over the railing to the floor beneath the platform on which Luke stood.

`I will not fight you. Father,' Luke stated.

`You are unwise to lower your defenses,' Vader warned. His anger was layered now - he did not want to win if the boy was not battling to the fullest. But if winning meant he had to kill a boy who wouldn't fight . . . then he could do that too. Only he wanted Luke to be aware of those consequences. He wanted Luke to know this was no longer just a game. This was Darkness. Luke heard something else, though.

`Your thoughts betray you, Father. I feel the good in you . . . the conflict. You could not bring yourself to kill me before - and you won't destroy me now.' Twice before, in fact -to Luke's recollection- Vader could have killed him, but didn't. . . This accusation really made Vader angry. He could tolerate much from the insolent child but this was insufferable. He must teach this boy a lesson he would never forget, or die learning.

'Once again, you underestimate the power of the dark side . . '

`I wish no advantage, Father. I will not fight you. Here . . . take my weapon.' Luke knew full well this might be his end but so be it. He would not use Darkness to fight Darkness.

'Give yourself to the dark side, Luke,' he entreated. 'It is the only way you can save your friends. Yes, your thoughts betray you, son. Your feelings for them are strong, especially for- ". Luke withdrew further into shadow. He tried to hide , but there was no way to hide what was in his mind - Leia was in great pain. Her agony cried to him now, and his spirit cried with her. He tried to shut it out, but the cry was loud , and he couldn’t stifle it, couldn’t leave it alone.

Vader’s consciousness invaded that private place " Sister ? Sister!" he bellowed. " Your feelings have now betrayed her too….Twins!" he roared triumphantly. " If you will not turn to the Dark Side ,perhaps she will "

This, then, was Luke’s breaking point. " Never!", he screamed. His lightsaber flew off Vader’s belt into his own hand, igniting as it came to him.

Suddenly the Emperor was there, looking on, chuckling with uncontrollable, pleased agitation. " Good! Kill him! Your hate has made you powerful! Now, fulfill your destiny and take your father’s place at my side!"

Luke stared at his father beneath him, then at the Emporer, then back at Vader. This was Darkness - and it was the Darkness he hated. And the only way to destroy it was to renounce it. For good and for all.

He hurled his lightsaber away. " Never! Never will I turn to the dark side! You have failed."

lightsaber : a sword which emits radiation and light