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Star Words: Episode II, Part 9
Nov. 23rd, 2017 10:12 amHappy Thanksgiving! Among other more important things, I am grateful for these movies and the endless food for thought they offer, as well as fellow fans to discuss them with. :)
The Jedi prohibition against attachment is a curious thing. There is certainly wisdom in the notion of ridding oneself of the negative emotions associated with such things -- envy, greed, resentment, fear of loss. But I think it can be taken to dangerous extremes. To deprive oneself of anything that could be remotely construed as attachment is to risk cold, detached isolationism -- to allow no connectedness to anyone or anything. And yet the Force is supposed to be all about connectedness!
Look at the Jedi in the prequels, at the literal towers where they shut themselves away, aloof and remote. They serve the Republic, but do they connect with its people? Consider how quickly the Senate comes to believe the Jedi are their enemies in Episode III, and applaud Palpatine's words against them. Of course much of this can be attributed to his Dark Side influence, but it seems the Jedi's behavior has not particularly endeared them to ordinary citizens. I'm not saying that being popular should be their goal. But perhaps just...kinder. More approachable.
So that's part of the context of Anakin's... creative... interpretation of the Jedi Code. He was raised outside of its strictures; he has the unique position of both an outsider's and an insider's view. The other part, however, is simply his overpowering youthful feelings that he desperately wants to justify. So when Padmé asks if love is forbidden for a Jedi,they both implicitly recognize that there's more going on than an abstract philosophical discussion. He offers a bashful smile and acknowledges that while attachment and possession are forbidden, "compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is central to a Jedi's life."
"So you might say that we are encouraged to love."
Oh, Anakin. You're not wrong, exactly, but...do you really believe that, or are you just flirting? Maybe a little of both.
Love is essential. Love -- from his son, from the memory of his wife -- is ultimately what saves Anakin. But that unconditional element is essential. Selfish love, on the other hand, leads to his downfall. And perhaps it is partly the fault of the Jedi that they are never able to teach him the difference, that they seem to claim that all connectedness is bad, when Anakin knows, instinctively, that that can't be true. But how to maintain connections without succumbing to possessiveness, jealousy and fear? That, sadly, is a lesson that Anakin will only begin to learn as he is dying. And it is far too late for the old Jedi Order. But with Luke and his pure, compassionate, unconditional love, there is the promise of a better New Order.
Next, more evidence of that pesky Jedi arrogance...
The Jedi prohibition against attachment is a curious thing. There is certainly wisdom in the notion of ridding oneself of the negative emotions associated with such things -- envy, greed, resentment, fear of loss. But I think it can be taken to dangerous extremes. To deprive oneself of anything that could be remotely construed as attachment is to risk cold, detached isolationism -- to allow no connectedness to anyone or anything. And yet the Force is supposed to be all about connectedness!
Look at the Jedi in the prequels, at the literal towers where they shut themselves away, aloof and remote. They serve the Republic, but do they connect with its people? Consider how quickly the Senate comes to believe the Jedi are their enemies in Episode III, and applaud Palpatine's words against them. Of course much of this can be attributed to his Dark Side influence, but it seems the Jedi's behavior has not particularly endeared them to ordinary citizens. I'm not saying that being popular should be their goal. But perhaps just...kinder. More approachable.
So that's part of the context of Anakin's... creative... interpretation of the Jedi Code. He was raised outside of its strictures; he has the unique position of both an outsider's and an insider's view. The other part, however, is simply his overpowering youthful feelings that he desperately wants to justify. So when Padmé asks if love is forbidden for a Jedi,they both implicitly recognize that there's more going on than an abstract philosophical discussion. He offers a bashful smile and acknowledges that while attachment and possession are forbidden, "compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is central to a Jedi's life."
"So you might say that we are encouraged to love."
Oh, Anakin. You're not wrong, exactly, but...do you really believe that, or are you just flirting? Maybe a little of both.
Love is essential. Love -- from his son, from the memory of his wife -- is ultimately what saves Anakin. But that unconditional element is essential. Selfish love, on the other hand, leads to his downfall. And perhaps it is partly the fault of the Jedi that they are never able to teach him the difference, that they seem to claim that all connectedness is bad, when Anakin knows, instinctively, that that can't be true. But how to maintain connections without succumbing to possessiveness, jealousy and fear? That, sadly, is a lesson that Anakin will only begin to learn as he is dying. And it is far too late for the old Jedi Order. But with Luke and his pure, compassionate, unconditional love, there is the promise of a better New Order.
Next, more evidence of that pesky Jedi arrogance...
