Summary
As one of the most crucial characters in theStar Warsseries,Anakin Skywalkerhas been the subject of all kinds of debates within the fanbase. As Vader, Anakin was the reason for the Jedi’s destruction and the Rebellion’s terror. When he died, he was huminized and became something more tangible. When the prequels revealed details about his birth and childhood, the perception of Darth Vader was changed completely.
InStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Anakin’s mother reveals that he was conceived through the Force. This revelation seemed to take away some of the normalcy that Vader’s death and redemption had created in the story, and it was a polarizing addition to the saga. However, George Lucas doesn’t think that’s anything that fans of the series need to be concerned with.
Anakin’s Death Is What Brought Balance, Not His Birth
How He Came To Be Isn’t The Important Part
When Anakin falls to the dark side and becomes Darth Vader, he sends the galaxy into a period of darkness. Throughout the entire original trilogy, the fate of the galaxy hinges on whether or not Luke is able to redeem his father and prove that Anakin has not been fully overshadowed by Vader. When the prequels provideAnakin with a mystical origin story, his role as the Chosen One might seem to become more important than the choices he makes in order to get there.
But it’s crucial to remember what Anakin’s original role inStar Warswas always meant to be. In a 2005 interview forRolling Stone, George Lucas says “How he was born ultimately has no relationship to how he dies, because in the end, the prophecy is true: Balance comes back to the Force.”Balance is ultimately achieved because of Anakin’s choice to return to the light, not because of the circumsmtances of his birith.Anakin’s choices are what matter, not his origin.
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Star Wars Fans Need To Stop Being So Protective Of Anakin
Anakin’s Role In Star Wars Is Enough
The last week has seen theStar Warsfandom consumed by the latest controversy.The Acolyteepisode 3appears to have introduced characters who were conceived by the Force, and some viewers believe this devalues everything Lucas sought to accomplish through Anakin Skywalker. But Lucas' own quote suggests this is a reach; Anakin Skywalker wasn’t special because of his birth, but because of what he accomplished.
Ultimately, Anakin’s exact impact in the franchise doesn’t need to be defended. No matter how he came into being or how he ended up with such immense power, his choices and actions set theStar Warsstory into motion. No matter the circumstances of his birth, theStar Warsprequel trilogy only reveals that underneath it all, he had always been a scared little boy who made the wrong choices. The whole point ofStar Warsis that he was able to turn away from those choices in an effort to correct his mistakes.
Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
Conceived by the will of the Force itself, Anakin Skywalker was the prophesied Chosen One, destined to bring the Force into balance. Anakin struggled to balance competing attachments to the Jedi Order and his wife Padmé Amidala, and ultimately fell to the dark side, becoming Darth Vader. For years he served as Palpatine’s right hand man, but he was ultimately redeemed by the faith of his son, Luke Skywalker. Now a Force Ghost, Anakin continues to act as an agent of balance.
