Gender, Power, and the Dathomir Witches

The Last Jedi

Jax’s encounter with Magash challenges the gender hierarchy of the Singing Mountain Clan and opens a possibility of teaching rather than exclusion.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Stranger Before the Clan A Stranger Before the Clan from "The Last Jedi". The Male Jedi A Suspicious Welcome Magash and the other Witches question Jax’s identity and require him to surrender his lightsaber before entering.

A Stranger Before the Clan from "The Last Jedi". The Male Jedi A Suspicious Welcome Magash and the other Witches question Jax’s identity and require him to surrender his lightsaber before entering.

The Male Jedi A Suspicious Welcome Magash and the other Witches question Jax’s identity and require him to surrender his lightsaber before entering. His gender makes him an unfamiliar and unsettling visitor. Recognition Through the Force Once they sense his discipline and connection to the Force, the clan permits him an audience. He is treated as an exceptional individual, but the wider rules of the clan remain unchallenged.

Curiosity About Jedi Freedom Curiosity About Jedi Freedom from "The Last Jedi". An Unfamiliar Equality Questions About Training Magash is fascinated that men and women can both train as Jedi.

Curiosity About Jedi Freedom from "The Last Jedi". An Unfamiliar Equality Questions About Training Magash is fascinated that men and women can both train as Jedi.

An Unfamiliar Equality Questions About Training Magash is fascinated that men and women can both train as Jedi. Her culture has taught her that men cannot channel the Force and should remain subordinate. A New Comparison Jax’s ordinary presence makes the difference between their societies harder to dismiss. Magash begins to wonder whether the clan’s beliefs have been tested or merely repeated.

The Question of Evil The Question of Evil from "The Last Jedi". A Challenge to Tradition Jax’s Argument Jax asks whether denying men education and freedom can be reconciled with the Witches’ rejection of evil.

The Question of Evil from "The Last Jedi". A Challenge to Tradition Jax’s Argument Jax asks whether denying men education and freedom can be reconciled with the Witches’ rejection of evil.

A Challenge to Tradition Jax’s Argument Jax asks whether denying men education and freedom can be reconciled with the Witches’ rejection of evil. He argues that potential Force users could first be taught discipline and wisdom. Magash’s Defensive Response Magash relies on inherited beliefs that men are dangerous and incapable of the Force. Yet the question unsettles her because she has not seen those beliefs tested through training.

The Witch Returns The Witch Returns from "The Last Jedi". Curiosity Overcomes Fear Leaving the Jedi Alone Magash initially retreats from the dangerous ruins after their argument.

The Witch Returns from "The Last Jedi". Curiosity Overcomes Fear Leaving the Jedi Alone Magash initially retreats from the dangerous ruins after their argument.

Curiosity Overcomes Fear Leaving the Jedi Alone Magash initially retreats from the dangerous ruins after their argument. She recognizes that fear and defensiveness have influenced her decision to leave him. Returning to the Ruins When she senses Jax’s anguish, Magash turns back to help. Her action is not yet a rejection of her culture, but it shows her willingness to face a difficult encounter instead of avoiding it.

A Possible Padawan A Possible Padawan from "The Last Jedi". Teaching Beyond the Order An Invitation Sent After returning from Dathomir, Jax plans to contact Magash.

A Possible Padawan from "The Last Jedi". Teaching Beyond the Order An Invitation Sent After returning from Dathomir, Jax plans to contact Magash.

Teaching Beyond the Order An Invitation Sent After returning from Dathomir, Jax plans to contact Magash. He sees potential in her curiosity and openness to questioning inherited limits. A Future Not Guaranteed The invitation does not establish that Magash will become a Jedi or that her clan will change. It marks a possibility: knowledge can travel through relationship rather than conquest.

When Jax arrives at the Singing Mountain Clan

During Magash’s first escort of Jax

On the approach to the Infinity Plain

During Jax’s encounter with the temple visions

At the close of the epilogue