Are The Jedi Superheroes?

[Jedimom/Cor-Al Gelkar]

I came across an interesting article - Can the Jedi be considered superheroes?

star-wars.suvudu.com/2012/09/are-jedi-superheroes.html/comment-page-1#comment-92413

Discuss...


My thoughts -

Seeing how the Jedi are not from this galaxy, they cannot be compared to superheroes in this galaxy. Yes they have powers beyond that of normal people, but the extremes and normals in the galaxy far, far away have never been defined. We compare what we see on screen to what we consider normal. And by the reactions from people also shown on-screen make us believe the Jedi possess powers not available to the common person, Yet these same powers are shown in others – most notably the Sith. Because these powers are shown in a variety of species, I do not think of the Jedi as superheores. Yes they do possess “super-species” abilities (i.e. superhuman, superBith, superIridonian, etc.), but again we are comparing to what we know to be human abilities. Perhaps some of these species come naturally to their powers – are Force-sensitive moreso than others. Then that species would not really be “super”. And as for super hero dojng good, the Jedi are RAISED that way. Its almost as if they have no choice in the matter. They are raised in a culture of servitude. Only a few (The Lost 20 and of course Anakin) have actually left the Order once becoming a full Jedi. There really is not much “choice” in the matter. Batman made his choice once his parents were killed…Spiderman after his Uncle was killed, etc. It seems there is always some cathartic episode in the life of a superhero to make them want to do good. Perhaps Luke could be considered by this – since he was motivated by the death of his Uncle and Aunt, but overall he wanted to rescue a Princess moreso and follow Ben (who misled him in a sense) than avenge the death of family.

[Starkindler (The Naked Jedi)]

Good points and I do tend to agree, philosophically....but you DID say "Discuss..." ;D

SO; (putting on my horns for the devils advocate position)

Taking the compound word "Superheroes" and breaking it down into the "Super" and "Heroes" parts I can see a good argument for them being considered as belonging to the group.

Superheroes seem to have two basic qualifications:

1) That they have abilities or technology sufficiently advanced to set them apart from those they live among (not always their own species: ie. Thor, Superman, etc).

2) That they use or dedicate those advantages to the protection of those they live among...or innocents in general.

There is also the moniker "Guardians of the Republic" which has a similar ring to it as "Earth's Mightiest Heroes". By those ideals the Jedi would qualify as Superheroes and the Sith as Super-villains.

As to the culture of Servitude...I am not so sure. Jedi are identified as young as possible and trained in what amounts to a religion. Not all make it, not all stay, not all serve, many leave at some point before becoming a "Knight". Jedi are trained to mediate and be neutral as much as possible. The examples of trained Jedi indeed making their own choices provide us with the vast background of stories in the EU.

Luke's initial motivations are archetypal and in keeping with heroes of all ages who set out with one thing in mind and then discover a wider world/conflict than they were prepared for. It is their reaction to these challenges that mark them as heroes...

look at Han. He swings from smuggler and "low-life" (he DID shoot first) to hero and statesman.

Look at Thor: selfish, egotistical, and aloof who when forced to confront his own mortality and insufficiency became a self-sacrificing hero.

So then a Superhero is defined by how they handle their super abilities or powers and not by the simple fact that they possess them. In this light many Jedi might NOT be superheroes because they don't get involved....they are dis-compassionate. Funny enough, it is the Jedi who ARE compassionate who become heroes, just as it it the Jedi who are merely passionate who fall to the dark side and become villains.

Of course since there are no other candidates for "superhero" in the SW galaxy the Jedi do indeed fill that particular role.....

**removes horns**

PS> haven't read the article yet so I may sound ridiculous to those who have read it.....going to read it now.