Stop at the Pub on Your Way to Saving the World

In which your architectural critic lifts a glass to a couple of the bars and cafes in myth and fantasy.  Have a seat at one of these mysterious murky watering holes.  Here hobbits and resistance fighters for the Force drink, meet allies, are attacked and rescued, all on their way to saving the world from the dark side....

Pracning PonyI spent a little time this Christmas with two favorite mythmakers – J.R.R. Tolkein and George Lucas. As I reread some Lord of the Rings, and saw the new Star Wars movie, I was moved as always by the heroism and imagination of these stories about bands of unlikely small outsiders taking on the dark side. 

Like most hero's journeys, the action is mostly outdoors, hurtling through space or slogging through swamps.  But I was struck this time around by the key role that taverns and cantinas play in the plots.  Since I write here about all things structural, allow me a word of appreciation for the Prancing Pony tavern, at the edge of the Shire, and the cantina of Maz Kanata on the planet Takodana. 

In Star Wars and in Tolkien, our somewhat innocent heroes walk into these pubs and are instantly surrounded by a curious collection of strange and menacing aliens.  A public spot (“pub” comes from “public house”) is a good way to introduce a variety of characters and show that it’s a bigger world out there than our heroes may have realized. 

In each tale, it is near the beginning of the journey that our heroes enter a tavern, and there make an important advance in their quest.  The hobbits first meet a key ally, Strider/Aragorn, waiting for them at the corner table.  Rey and Finn learn more about the dark side from the wise and mysterious bar owner Maz, and Rey is guided to the hiding place of Luke Skywalker’s old light saber in the bar’s basement.

George Lucas has credited Tolkein, probably by way of Joseph Campbell, with inspiration and ideas about the mythic quest.  Any small hero in waiting would love a wise warrior guide; Gandalf obviously prefigures Obi Wan Kenobi.  Lucas has also admitted that the Prancing Pony inspired the first cantina in the original Star Wars, with the great jazz band of aliens and a panoply of weird barmates.  It is there that Luke and Obi first meet Han Solo and Chewbacca, and hire them and their Millennium Falcon starship for their battle against the Dark Side.  Director JJ Abrams in the new Star Wars film has many an homage to the originals, including a new cantina.  Bars can be a good place to get information and do business.

Mos Eisley CantinaBut they are dangerous places too, these pubs.  The hobbits carelessly draw attention to themselves in the Prancing Pony and barely miss death from the Dark Riders.  (Too big a pint for Pippin and he starts bragging.  Always a danger in pubs, loose lips.)  In the first Star Wars movies, in the Mos Eisley cantina, the Storm Troopers come into the bar after Luke, and Jabba the Hut’s henchman goes after Han, who casually kills him.

None of these bars are happy light places where everyone knows your name.  No one yells out “Norm,” like the Cheers bar.  When Frodo walks in he’s suspect and he senses the dangers, trying to hide who he is, using a false name.  Bar scenes, even before the fights start, are a good way to build some tension.  (As if we needed more.)

Mos Eisley CantinaI was already thinking about this column when Alan Rickman died this week and I was transported back to the Harry Potter world and his great portrayal of Professor Snape.  So I add to my list of mythic pubs: The Leaky Cauldron, Hog’s Head and The Three Broomsticks, more public houses where danger lurks and secret back exits might be your only hope.  Hopefully you can finish your butter beer before you have to sneak back to Hogwarts.

One could name more great fictional pubs and cafes: Rick’s Café Americain in Casablanca (“There’s no hurry.  Tonight he’ll be at Ricks.  Everybody comes to Rick’s.”)  Moe’s Tavern in the Simpsons.  Cabaret’s Kit Kat Klub.  Rosie’s Bar in M*A*S*H.

And of course one of the best – The Back Road Café.  Just look at all those happy pictures of Dale around the world with a pint and good company.  And look at these pages of happy writers.  “In cafes around the world individuals sit over coffee thinking, reading, writing and watching the day go by.  Groups of people converse, debate, laugh and then set the worlds to rights.”

So pull up a chair.  Have a pint or a latte or a butter beer.  Share a drink, meet someone new.  They might the hero who will save your live.  You might find in these rooms a precious and magical weapon.  You will surely get back out on the road rested and inspired.  You might just go out and save the world.

Copyright © 2016 Deborah Streeter