Anakin Skywalker and Luke Skywalker
In my previous entry (I've Got A Bad Feeling About This...) I talked about some of the parallels between the two trilogies of Star Wars Movies. I'm following that up today with a look at the parallels between Anakin and Luke in those movies.The Phantom Menace and A New Hope
In these two movies we see Anakin and Luke as virtually identical people. Both are fartherless boys living on a backwoods planet (Tatooine) who are hungry for adventure and excitement, and seemingly by accident become embroiled in events far beyond their imagining. Both boys become the students of powerful Jedi Masters (Qui Gonn and Obi Wan) and learn that the Force is at work in their own lives. Both boys have the opportunity to prove their prowess as pilots, both lose their mentor in a battle with a Sith lord (Darth Maul and Darth Vader), and both boys save the day in the final battle.
Attack Of The Clones and Empire Strikes Back
In these movies we some more similarities between Anakin and Luke, but also we begin to see some very important differences. In both cases, the young men - having lost their mentors - become apprentices of other Jedi Masters (Obi Wan and Yoda). We see impatience in both Anakin and Luke, and in both cases, when they find out (through visions) that the ones they love are in danger (Anakin's mother, Luke's Friends Han and Leia) they desert their assigned place (Anakin on Naboo, Luke on Dagobah) to rescue their loved ones. In both cases, they are unsuccessful in the rescue attempts. However, here we see the very first major difference between the two; Anakin responds out of vengeance (slaughtering the entire tribe that kidnapped and killed his mother) while Luke resists the temptation to give in to vengeance. That is an important moment in the movies, because it begins the real divergence in the lives of the two Jedi. In the end of AotC and ESB, both of the young men lose a limb (Anakin his arm, Luke his hand). Both movies end on a note of uncertainty; in ESB Han has been kidnapped by the Bounty Hunter, and in AotC Yoda comments that this was not a victory. And just as the movies end with uncertainty, the lives of Anakin and Luke are uncertain as well. At this point either one could go in either direction.
Revenge Of The Sith and Return Of The Jedi
One very interesting parallel in these movies harks back to the second movie in the trilogies; remember that Dooku severed Anakin's arm and Vader severs Luke's hand. In the third movie, Anakin sever's Dooku's arm, and Luke severs Vader's hand (only to discover, of course, that - like himself - Vader had a mechanical hand. This moment serves as a reminder to Luke that what Vader is, he can become) This, like the moment of revenge in the second movie, is a critical moment for Anakin and Luke. In Revenge of the Sith, Anakin once again gives in to revenge and kills Dooku, while Luke again rejects revenge and spares Vader's life. Both Anakin and Luke lose their second mentors in this movie. Anakin by his own choice, Luke through the death of Yoda. Both young men come face to face with Emperor Palpatine (who hopes to become the third mentor for both of them). In both cases, the Emperor taunts them, suggesting that they might "strike him down". Oddly enough, the shoe is on the other foot this time - it is Anakin who chooses not to strike, while Luke does. But motivation must be considered; it is clear that Anakin's reason for not striking have more to do with his desire for power over death than the need to resist revenge. Luke's motivations, are perhaps a little less clear. But in the end Anakin, having been prepared for the moment by his own fears and his own previous taste of revenge, succumbs to Palpatine's temptation, and takes on a new master - this time a Sith instead of a Jedi. Luke rejects Palpatine's offer to become his new master. From that moment their futures become so horribly divergent that it is almost impossible to draw more parallels.
And probably at this point I should go from analyzing parallels to talking about the meaning that (I think) is presented in these two trilogies. But it's late, so I'll save that for another day.
(Continue reading here: Thoughts About Meanings To Be Found In The Star Wars Saga)
Posted On May 28, 2005 at 8:24 PM
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