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Star Words: Episode V, Part 45
There are lots of great moments during this climax; Lando fully embracing the role of hero as he publicly warns the citizens of Bespin to flee; Threepio's many frantic complaints; Artoo's unerring ability to save the day (even if he does manage to electrocute himself just a bit before finding the proper socket). But let's get to the really meaty stuff, in Vader and Luke's confrontation.
Luke is looking much worse for the wear after encountering Vader in the corridor. No more temporarily gaining the upper hand; he is thoroughly trounced, pummeled by heavy objects that Vader manipulates with ease, finally blown straight out the broken window. It seems sadly accurate when the Sith Lord declares You are beaten.
Stubbornly Luke continues to fight him, and loses his hand in the process. Once again Vader urges his surrender.
"Don't make me destroy you."
Consider the implications of this statement. Vader is putting all the blame of Luke's demise upon Luke. These are the words of an abuser. Abusers never accept responsibility for their abusive behavior; they always point their fingers at their victims. Now of course Luke isn't completely free from blame. He ignored the counsel of his teachers and rushed into a duel that he was most certainly not prepared for. But ultimately, Vader is the one who is responsible for whether Luke dies or not.
Vader is presenting a false binary of choices -- either Luke gives himself over to Vader, or he must be destroyed. Happily, we'll eventually see Luke realize the possibility of a third choice. You don't have to let your abuser set the terms of your behavior. They might hold physical power over you, but they are not the master of your soul.
Luke is looking much worse for the wear after encountering Vader in the corridor. No more temporarily gaining the upper hand; he is thoroughly trounced, pummeled by heavy objects that Vader manipulates with ease, finally blown straight out the broken window. It seems sadly accurate when the Sith Lord declares You are beaten.
Stubbornly Luke continues to fight him, and loses his hand in the process. Once again Vader urges his surrender.
"Don't make me destroy you."
Consider the implications of this statement. Vader is putting all the blame of Luke's demise upon Luke. These are the words of an abuser. Abusers never accept responsibility for their abusive behavior; they always point their fingers at their victims. Now of course Luke isn't completely free from blame. He ignored the counsel of his teachers and rushed into a duel that he was most certainly not prepared for. But ultimately, Vader is the one who is responsible for whether Luke dies or not.
Vader is presenting a false binary of choices -- either Luke gives himself over to Vader, or he must be destroyed. Happily, we'll eventually see Luke realize the possibility of a third choice. You don't have to let your abuser set the terms of your behavior. They might hold physical power over you, but they are not the master of your soul.
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One thing I did get to thinking was that the young Darth Vader (back when "Anakin" might seem still applicable to him too) makes a similar "Don't make me kill you" threat to Obi-Wan in Revenge of the Sith. Maybe there the temptation's to say something about "in what circumstances (quite possibly 'outside the story') is the word 'kill' avoided?"
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