Why Does Kylo Ren Respond to His Birth Name When Han Solo Calls Him?

The Significance of a Name in Star Wars: In the universe of Star Wars, names hold deep meaning and can evoke powerful emotions and memories. This is particularly true in the case of Kylo Ren, whose response to his birth name when called by his father, Han Solo, reveals much about their relationship and his internal struggle.

The Power of a Name

The sound of Kylo Ren’s given name in his father’s voice had deep connections to his childhood. This name, a symbol of his past and his potential for good, was a link to the love and understanding that he lacked in his earlier life. Neither his father, Commander , nor his one true love, Rey, ever referred to him by this name. It was an intimate and powerful remnant of his identity before he fell to the dark side.

Reaching the Good Within

Rey and the Name of Ben Solo

Rey, sensing the potential for the good within Kylo, often referred to him by his birth name, Ben Solo. This choice was a deliberate attempt to awaken the consciousness of the boy who had once been bound by loyalty and affection, not by the taint of the Sith. Rey’s belief in his capacity for redemption was so strong that she never veered from the name he bore at birth, even when their relationship was strained.

The Elevator and Throne Room Scenes

The pivotal moments in the elevator and throne room scenes are particularly revealing. In the elevator, as Rey and Kylo played the final game of sabre against each other, they could still be referred to by their birth names. The intimate and personal nature of these references underscored the emotional bond that used to exist between them, even in their struggles. In the throne room, the same practice continued, highlighting the fragmented state of Kylo Ren, torn between two versions of himself - the child Ben and the Sith lord Ren.

Interpreting the Motivation for Response

Han Solo’s use of his son’s birth name when they first confront each other in The Last Jedi can be seen as a gesture of deep affection and a last attempt to appeal to the child he once knew. It encapsulates a range of emotions - the love he has always felt for his son, the pain of the loss of their relationship, and the desperate hope that Kylo Ren might still have the potential to choose the path of the light. The response to his birth name, even at a moment of intense conflict, demonstrates a mutual recognition of their connection rooted in shared past experiences and the hope for a better future.

Conclusion

The answer to why Kylo Ren responds to his birth name when called by Commander o lies in the profound emotional significance of that name within the context of their relationship and his identity. It speaks to the complex dynamics between fathers and sons, the force of memory, and the enduring hope of redemption. Through its use, the film poignantly explores themes of family, personal struggle, and the capacity for change.