Son of a Trickster

by

Eden Robinson

The Darth Vader Poster Symbol Analysis

The Darth Vader Poster Symbol Icon

The Darth Vader poster represents Jared’s gradual coming-of-age journey over the course of the book. The poster first appears at Jared’s friends’ house, which is called Powder House. The cardboard cutout of Darth Vader greets people at the door, and the image depicts the Star Wars villain holding a skateboard alongside a thought bubble that reads, “POWDER HOUSE RULES.” Thus, in its introduction, the poster represents a playful innocence: first, it depicts a character from the Star Wars franchise, whose viewership is largely made up of kids and teenagers. Second, its message suggests a carefree recklessness—freedom from adults and, likewise, adult concerns.

Over time, however, the poster gradually disintegrates, reflecting how Jared is growing up and away from adolescence. After his friends move away, Jared brings the poster back to his basement bedroom and hangs it on the ceiling, where the poster develops cobwebs on its feet and begins to peel away from the wall. This reflects how Jared’s adolescence is slowly decaying as well, as he faces adult problems like helping to care for his elderly neighbors, paying his dad’s rent, and dealing with his mom’s abuse and neglect. By the end of the book, Darth Vader vanishes from Jared’s basement completely, and he wonders how he missed the poster’s disappearance. This suggests that, likewise, Jared has grown up without fully realizing it—a gradual process, but one that becomes finite by the end of the book when Jared demonstrates his own maturity by getting sober, finding a job, and accepting his true identity as Wee’git’s son.

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The Darth Vader Poster Symbol Timeline in Son of a Trickster

The timeline below shows where the symbol The Darth Vader Poster appears in Son of a Trickster. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 6
Dysfunctional Families, Responsibility, and Maturity Theme Icon
...gave him. The house, which everyone calls Powder House, is unlocked. A cardboard figure of Darth Vader with a snowboard and a thought bubble saying “POWDER HOUSE RULES” hangs on the door.... (full context)
Chapter 15
Dysfunctional Families, Responsibility, and Maturity Theme Icon
Destiny notices the cardboard poster of Darth Vader taped to the ceiling, which the guys from Powder House gave Jared. She then starts... (full context)
Chapter 17
Dysfunctional Families, Responsibility, and Maturity Theme Icon
Love vs. Violence Theme Icon
Jared lies back, looking up at the Darth Vader poster on the ceiling. The POWDER HOUSE RULES thought bubble is coming unstuck from the... (full context)
Chapter 21
Escapism and Confronting Problems Theme Icon
...giggles and says that she’s wasted. Sarah makes sounds like a lightsaber, pointing out the Darth Vader poster on the ceiling. (full context)
Dysfunctional Families, Responsibility, and Maturity Theme Icon
Love vs. Violence Theme Icon
...when she licks his ribs, Jared’s erection sags. He stares at the ceiling, noticing that Darth Vader lost his thought bubble. (full context)
Chapter 29
Dysfunctional Families, Responsibility, and Maturity Theme Icon
...Sarah’s arm, he covers them with Polysporin and lays beside her. When he looks up, Darth Vader is gone, and he wonders how he missed the poster’s disappearance. Sarah says that there... (full context)