"Is The Force With You?"
Discover Which Star Wars Character Matches Your Generation
Curious about
whether you’re more like
Obi-Wan, Luke, Yoda, Han Solo, or Rey?
In every great story, characters fit archetypes,
and generational theory is no different.
Just like the Star Wars heroes and legends,
each generation plays a distinct role in shaping the world,
each with unique strengths and challenges.
Let’s take a journey to find out which Star Wars character best fits your generational archetype.
Before we dive into the quiz, let me take you back to 1977, when I first experienced the magic of Star Wars—a memory that’s stayed with me ever since.
1977 was my senior year of high school—an unforgettable year for more reasons than one. One evening, my best friends and I headed to the Mann Valley Circle Theater in San Diego to catch a showing of a movie we’d all heard about—Star Wars.
What we weren’t prepared for was the massive line that wrapped all the way around the theater. (*** Bonus video and mini-article found below!) Hundreds of eager fans lined up, all buzzing with excitement. The theater was enormous, larger than most. I can still remember a magical feeling that came upon me as we waited together outside that massive building. It definitely felt like we were part of something extraordinary. What I didn’t realize back then was that the movie—and the cultural moment it represented—would become a lens through which I would come to understand not only my generation but the many that followed.
When we finally got inside, I was captivated from the start. The opening crawl, the characters, the battles, the sense of wonder—it all left a mark. But for me, it was Yoda who captured my attention. His quiet wisdom, his emphasis on patience, humility, and balance resonated deeply with me. Yoda’s calm strength became something I carried with me beyond that night. His character was not only endearing; he was a guide. How lucky Luke was to have Yoda as his mentor.
Now, let’s find out which Star Wars character aligns with your generational traits. We’ve all wondered who we’d be in that galaxy far, far away!
Take this short quiz
Keep count of which letters you choose
to find out which iconic character from Star Wars you are most like.
The Reveal
▻ ▻ ▻ ▻ Mostly A’s:
Obi-Wan Kenobi (Silent/Pre-Boomer Generation)
You’re wise and dedicated to helping others grow. Like Obi-Wan, you focus on guiding the next generation and offering support from behind the scenes. You embody the Silent Generation, known for quiet leadership, humility, and self-sacrifice.
▻ ▻ ▻ ▻ Mostly B’s:
Yoda (Boomer Generation)
You are the Prophet archetype, driven by strong moral values and a long-term vision. Like Yoda, you lead through wisdom and believe in shaping the future by instilling deep lessons about life and balance. Boomers have carried this role, often leading cultural revolutions with their vision.
▻ ▻ ▻ ▻ Mostly C’s:
Han Solo (Gen X)
Pragmatic and fiercely independent, you reflect the Nomad archetype. Like Han Solo, you don’t trust easily, but you step up when it’s needed most. Gen Xers, like Han, navigate life with self-reliance, often skeptical of institutions yet willing to play the hero in turbulent times.
▻ ▻ ▻ ▻ Mostly D’s:
Luke Skywalker (Millennial Generation)
You are the Hero, optimistic and ready to overcome big challenges. Like Luke, you believe in collective action and using your abilities to make the world a better place. Millennials have taken on this role, leading the charge in addressing global issues with faith in a better future.
▻ ▻ ▻ ▻ Mostly E’s:
Rey (Gen Z)
Cautious and focused on healing, you reflect the Artist archetype. Like Rey, you’ve grown up in uncertain times and are determined to rebuild and create stability. Gen Z mirrors this role, focused on restoring balance and working toward a brighter, more stable future.
Generational Archetypes:
Where Star Wars and Life Meet Up
Now that you’ve taken the quiz, let’s dive a bit deeper into how these characters align with generational archetypes. Just as Yoda’s wisdom stuck with me over the years, each of these characters mirrors the traits of an entire generation.
I’ve already shared my personal connection to Yoda, but maybe you found yourself more like Han Solo—a bit of a skeptic who doesn’t rely on anyone, yet rises to the occasion when it counts. Or perhaps you resonate with Luke Skywalker, optimistic and ready to take on the challenges of the world, much like Millennials who are tackling today’s global issues.
The Generational Blend
Many of us may feel like we’re a mix of different generations.
Generations are most prominently defined by specific birth years, but the reality is much more fluid. Life experiences, societal shifts, and personal values often lead us to embody the characteristics of multiple generations.
For me, starting as a fresh-faced high schooler fascinated by Yoda’s wisdom (how Boomer of me), I’ve found myself at times leaning into the pragmatic side of Han Solo, navigating life with independence and skepticism (right on as a Gen Xer would). At other points, I’ve felt like Rey—cautious yet focused on healing and creating stability in uncertain times (The Artisan within me & Gen Z). When we think about all this… it’s likely we see that we carry the wisdom of previous generations, just as Luke gleaned his life approaches from Obi-Wan and Yoda.
That’s the beauty of the generational blend: while we may have a core generation we identify with, our unique experiences allow us to embody traits from other generations as well. In fact, isn’t this a more relatable way to think about generations than starting with hard lines and expecting people to contort to fit within?
The Great Generational Story
We are all part of a much larger narrative—a Great Generational Story that stretches across time and history. Just as characters in Star Wars embody distinct archetypes, so too each generation plays a crucial role in the ongoing progression of society. As William Strauss and Neil Howe discovered1, these archetypes reappear in cycles, each generation contributing its unique strengths and values to shape the world.
In the Star Wars universe, the archetypes are easily recognizable. The Silent Generation provides the quiet wisdom of Obi-Wan Kenobi, while Yoda, a stand-in for the Boomer Generation, leads with a deep moral vision. Gen X, with its independent, pragmatic nature, is reflected in Han Solo, while the Millennial Generation, like Luke Skywalker, rises up to tackle immense challenges. Rey, as a representative of Gen Z, embodies the cautious, healing approach of the Artist archetype.
Look at how these archetypes align with the Star Wars characters we know and love. This chart breaks down the traits of each generation, alongside their corresponding characters, helping to visually connect these timeless archetypes to the roles they play in shaping the galaxy—and our world.
Strauss and Howe noted the cycle of archetypes
—Artist, Prophet, Nomad, Hero—
repeats throughout American history,
with each generation inheriting lessons from those that came before.
Just as Luke relied on Obi-Wan and Yoda to guide him, so too do we lean on the wisdom of previous generations to inform our actions and shape our collective future. Understanding these archetypes, and seeing them in the context of Star Wars, helps us appreciate our unique generational role in the greater story.
Can you see legends lurking in your proximity?
Yes, I’m talking about those from a different generation than you are who you’re interacting with every day.
Standing in line at that theater in 1977, I didn’t know that Star Wars would become more than just a film. It never occurred to me that I was experiencing something that would become a cultural phenomenon. And even though I still hold precious those fond memories of that night out with my friends seeing & experiencing the spectacular Star Wars movie release—even more meaningful to me now is to see it as a touchstone for understanding my generation and others. The characters, the archetypes, the wisdom they embodied—those themes stayed with me, and I’m sure they’ve touched your life in some way, too.
It’s way too common for all of us to struggle with understanding and accepting those from differing generations. Generational Theory provides us with a viewing point to begin to see one another in a new light.
Focus in now and I bet you’ll be able to see the legends among us.
“But!” we exclaim.
"How will we ever learn
to embrace them as they are?”
Perhaps Yoda has the answers we seek.
Yoda: “You must unlearn what you have learned.”
Luke: “All right, I’ll give it a try.”
Yoda: “No. Try not. Do. Or Do not. There is no try.”
Are you ready to Do. Or Do not?
Like Yoda, we too must unlearn some of our assumptions about other generations. Only by doing so can we truly see the wisdom and strengths each generation brings.
Extending this understanding towards others
will bring us closer despite any differences.
And of course, what other way to sign off than…
May the Force be with You!
LOL
So, what about you? Did you find pieces of yourself in more than one character?
Share your generational blend in the comments—I’d love to hear how your own experiences and generation mix together, just like mine.
***BONUS
If you have a few more minutes,
take a quick detour back to 1977
—an era-defining moment for cinema and for me personally.
1977: The Beginning of Immersive Cinema
Seeing Star Wars in 1977 was Astounding—
Likely, Even More Astounding
than an IMAX 4DX Viewing Today!
Can you believe that statement?
When Star Wars opened in 1977, it didn’t just mark the birth of a blockbuster franchise; it signaled the dawn of a new era in cinema. A theater experience that pulled audiences right into the heart of the action. Back then, I stood in line for hours at the Mann Valley Circle in San Diego, and the excitement was palpable—like being part of something bigger than just a movie. For many, including myself, this experience was nothing short of breathtaking. The theater itself, with its grand, spaceship-like structure, felt like a gateway to a galaxy far, far away.
• Curved Screens and Cinematic Scope: The curved screen at Mann Valley Circle helped to envelop us, pulling our peripheral vision right into the action. It was unlike anything we’d experienced before. It was an astonishing leap ahead in creating a sense of cinematic vastness. The curved design amplified the Star Wars space opera in a way that made it feel like we were right there in the Millennium Falcon or watching the TIE Fighters scream across the skies.
• Dolby Stereo Revolution: This was one of the first films to use Dolby Stereo sound, and that changed everything. The hum of lightsabers, the roar of TIE Fighters—these sounds didn’t just come from the screen; they engulfed the theater, bouncing from side to side. We felt the rumble of spaceships flying past, and John Williams’ score soared through the air. It was an experience that no one had felt in a cinema before—a multi-channel auditory experience that transported us.
• A New Kind of Cinema: The action sequences were lightning-fast compared to anything before, and audiences were blown away. People kept coming back to the theater, not just to watch Star Wars again but to re-experience the intensity and emotional thrill. The sheer scale and innovation of the film’s visual effects created a level of detail that made viewers feel like they had missed something on the first watch.
The film’s unique combination of technological innovations in both sound and visual display redefined what cinema could be. It brought us out of our seats and into the world of the movie. Star Wars was more than a film; it was an event that made going to the theater a full-on experience.
In the same way that we can look back and see the advancements, the progressions, the evolution of film over the past decades, if we take a moment to look around we’ll also begin to really notice the progression of culture.
Looking at our culture
with this kind of progressive awareness
is one of the most fun experiences
we can have in perceiving generations.
As exciting as today’s IMAX and 4DX films are,
they owe their origins to that first wave of immersive cinema,
pioneered by George Lucas and theaters like Mann Valley Circle.
What’s ahead?
I’m sure Hollywood will continue to dazzle and amaze us
in new and intriguing ways. And I’m looking forward to their next reveal!
My perspectives on generations have been primarily influenced by the publications of Neil Howe and William Strauss. To dive deeper into the Strauss-Howe Generational Theory, consider starting with Neil’s most recent book that is comprehensive plus timely all in one.
Howe, Neil. The Fourth Turning Is Here: What the Seasons of History Tell Us About How and When This Crisis Will End. Simon & Schuster, 2023
Strauss, William and Neil Howe. GENERATIONS The History of America’s Future, 1584 to 2069. Quill, 1991.
Neil Howe can be found on substack at demographyunplugged.com
Thank you for sharing your first Star Wars experience! It appears I’m Obi-Wan Kenobi 💖