I've often heard people refer to Luke as "whiny." I'm never sure exactly what they mean by this. Are they referring only to the "Tosche Station" comment? Or do they really think Luke is a whiny guy?

To me, Luke Skywalker is a hero, because he overcomes his own limitations to rise up and embrace his destiny-which includes a bunch of scary, life-threatening stuff like facing his father in mortal combat and nearly getting killed by the Emperor.

Luke is not the Terminator. He is not indestructible. He has fears, anxieties, doubts. This is what makes him a true hero. He faces external challenges, but more important, he conquers internal challenges.

When Luke balks at helping Obi-Wan initially, when he gets frustrated with Yoda, he's showing us our own true natures. Many of us go through life turning down opportunities that seem scary or unpredictable. Many of us decline to get involved when we see a potentially dangerous situation. Why should Luke be any different?

My favorite Luke-defining scene is when he says: "I can't get involved! I've got work to do! "

Ben notes: "That's your uncle talking."

It's not just his uncle talking, it's his "normal life" talking, it's the rut he's stuck in. I think that Luke's frustration with his own life, and the fact that he shows it to us, is admirable.

He's not a superhero, made of stone, ready for the quest. He's not a robot. He's not an armored knight, full of bravery and valor. He's just like us. Unsure, uncertain, wanting to do the right thing, but caught between our values and our commitments.

Maybe some call it whiny, but I call it "real." And I think that's what has made Luke an enduring hero for over 28 years. He's real.