Star Wars Day, however, is more than just sending cheeky memes of Darth Vader to friends and family. Since Lucasfilm, Ltd.’s acquisition by the House of Mouse in 2012 for $4.05 billion, it appears to be gaining speed as corporations get in on the game. From sincere fandom to parody, to outright cynicism, the internet is flooded with memetic discourse about this beloved space fantasy/opera/western. Since the first documented use of Star Wars Day as a meme on (appropriately enough) May 4th, 2006, it has similarly taken many shapes. “May the Force be with you.” “And also with you.” They may transform into new variations, spurring on the development of more memes, and even creating a sense of community amongst individuals during the varying degrees of a meme’s “lifespan.” (For further reading see below). As these forms of user-created content are disseminated they may take on a life of their own. Memes are highly performative forms of discourse, sometimes extending beyond the digital realm and entering the analog, such as the photo-fad “planking,” or the “Harlem Shake” videos.

Memes take varying shapes and formats, from image macros of cats engaged in “Lol” speak and a condescending Willy Wonka, to photoshops of Slender Man and famous/popular figures, or in the case of Star Wars, Jesus dueling Kylo Ren. Congratulations.” This play on the iconic phrase, “May the Force be with you,” however, remained largely dormant until the rise of Web 2.0, during which it began its life as a meme. That morning, as Star Wars publicist Alan Arnold (1980:76) observed, an advertisement was placed in the London Evening News reading, “May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. The origins of Star Wars Day, curiously, began not with the release of A New Hope in 1977, but with the election of Margaret Thatcher to the position of Britain’s Prime Minister on May 4th, 1979. This extension of a geeky greeting turned competition between mother and son represents part of a larger celebration centered on the mimetically-driven performance of a fandom for that “galaxy far, far away.” She has been on a winning streak as of late. On the morning of May 4th, 2018, I will be ready.Īs the alarm sounds, I will reach for my phone and make a call.īefore the person on the receiving end of the line gets the opportunity to extend her greeting, with a joyous tone I will say, “Happy Star Wars Day, mom! May the Fourth be with you!” My mother will laugh, responding in kind, “May the Fourth be with you as well, Jared.”įor almost a decade my mother and I have been in a “ Duel of the Fates,” if you will, over who can wish the other a “Happy Star Wars Day” first. Note: for a full-length discussion on May the Fourth, please read Schmidt’s article “‘May the Fourth be with You’: Star Wars Day, the Mass Media, and a Vernacular Hybrid Fan-Holiday” in NDiF Vol. These images are taken out of context because Darth Vader actually wants to kill Luke at this time but it highlights how both quotes can have different meanings depending on who utters them.Ed. It’s also often coupled with GIFs from The Empire Strikes Back of Obi Wan Kenobi saying “May the Force be with you.” and then followed by Darth Vader doing his iconic breathing sound effect while extending one arm towards Luke Skywalker. The latter is now used as a sarcastic response in Star Wars fandom and pop culture whenever someone says something that sounds overly optimistic or naive.

However, Darth Vader later said the same words to Luke when he was trying to tempt him into joining the Dark Side.

Obi Wan Kenobi first uttered the words, “May the Force be with you.” to Luke Skywalker when they meet on Tatooine at Mos Eisley spaceport. The popular saying is a pun that will make anyone who appreciates nerdy humor and pop culture smile every time they hear it because it plays on two meanings of “may the force be with you” from The Empire Strikes Back one meaning to wish good luck while another means congratulations or well done.

May the fourth be with you meme