Stories of disability in a galaxy far, far away ...

Reflections on the representation of disabilities in the Star Wars saga, between Science Fiction and Disability Studies

Abstract

Over the course of half a century, the Star Wars saga has represented the theme of disability and its close relationship with other issues: for example, the role and limits of prostheses, the drive towards ableism, the difference between physical disabilities and mental disorders, etc.. In the present article, in particular, three approaches to the analysis of impairment and disability are discussed: the relationship between nature vs. technology, the narrative of cure and the supercrip model. The three themes are discussed within the context of Science Fiction and Disability Studies.