This is the second of a three-part series on the characterization of Anakin Skywalker in the Prequel Trilogy.
“Are you allowed to love? I thought it was forbidden for a Jedi.” – Padme Amidala
“Attachment is forbidden. Possession is forbidden. Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is central to a Jedi’s life, so you might say we’re encouraged to love.” – Anakin Skywalker
It is here that 19-year-old Anakin Skywalker, whose characterization is frequently criticized in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones for supposedly being too “immature” and “whiny,” so accurately and efficiently points out the inherent flaws of the Jedi Code.
Younglings training under Master Yoda.
Jedi that have been part of the Order since childhood would never question the Code. They would fail to see the inherent contradiction in the Code. Yoda himself personally oversaw the initial training of the Jedi’s youngest acolytes, ensuring that any remaining shred of attachment or sense of possession was removed.
Over the last fourteen years, I’ve heard incessant criticism over George Lucas’ decision to depict Anakin as a volatile, emotional, teenager. “This isn’t Darth Vader!” one acquaintance told me. Well, he isn’t Darth Vader yet. “It ruins his character!” another said. Unfortunately, a lot of people think that. They’re wrong. The Anakin depicted in Attack of the Clones is a fascinatingly complex character that is emotional, flawed, and extremely talented. It also sets up a nice parallel with 19-year-old Luke in A New Hope, who was also emotional, flawed, and, honestly, whiny.
Why did Lucas depict Anakin in such a way? To continue the theme of attachment and its lingering effect on him. Anakin is emotional. He’s unrefined. He represents a great amount of stress and worry for those watching over him and guiding him. Why? Because he’s not a blank slate. He isn’t conditioned like the clones or brainwashed (sorry, it’s true) like the Jedi younglings. He’s an unstable young man who misses his mother terribly. I’ve been told that Anakin should have been depicted as a calm, level-headed Jedi. No temper tantrums. No complaining to Padmé about Obi-Wan being jealous of him. No missing his mother.
Anakin expresses his hatred for his mother’s killers.
That last one surprised me when I heard it. Quite honestly, if you think this, then you don’t understand the story George Lucas is telling. You don’t understand the story of how Darth Vader became the way he is. There is a reason that Darth Vader is a constant and simmering bottle of rage. There is a reason that he is so detached and calloused. You can’t have the apparent pinnacle of his character in The Empire Strikes Back without his journey in the Prequel Trilogy, specifically Attack of the Clones.
So how do the Jedi deal with this young man? By giving him empty platitudes and attempting to suppress his emotions. Consider this conversation with Obi-Wan at the beginning of the film:
Anakin: “I don’t sleep well, anymore.”
Obi-Wan: “Because of your mother?”
Anakin: “I don’t know why I keep dreaming about her now. I haven’t seen her since I was little.”
Obi-Wan: “Dreams pass in time.”
Anakin: “I’d rather dream of Padmé. Just being around her is intoxicating.”
Obi-Wan: “Mind your thoughts, Anakin, they betray you. You’ve made a commitment to the Jedi Order… a commitment not easily broken…”
Obi-Wan and the other Jedi simply don’t know how to deal with him. I can imagine a closed-door meeting on how to deal with him when he brings up his mother. “Try to change the subject.” “Casually dismiss it.” “Remind him of his commitment.” They’re hoping that, eventually, this “phase” will pass. It’ll just go away. Anakin will transform into the exact template of Jedi that they want.
It doesn’t happen. Had he been given better advice, he could have arrived on Tatooine in time to save his mother. As we will see later in Revenge of the Sith, this won’t be the first time that the Jedi dismiss Anakin’s dreams.
Anakin carries his mother’s body.
The Cantina Cast
The wretched hive your Jedi Master warned you about!
*You can find Adam on Twitter . You can also find him on the Topps Star Wars Card Trader app using the same handle!
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