the "redemption?" of Darth Vader

[cobalt60]

something about that bothers me.

supposedly, vader was "redeemed" because he turned his back on his obligations master, to save his son Luke.
(ie: he would give up anything to save his own family)

but in ROTS, vader was "condemned" because he turned his back on his obligations master, to save his wife Padme.
(ie: he would give up anything to save his own family)

in both cases, his actions are selfish, to the point where he would actually be willing to destroy the very structure of government for an entire galaxy..
effecting BILLIONS of lives in the process
..just to save the one person that's important to him.



whats the difference?

in ROTS anakin was "WRONG" for giving up everything, just to save one person.
Yoda said it explicitly : "you must learn to let go; greive not; etc" (ie: get over it. everybody dies. learn to accept it)

but in ROTJ anakin was "RIGHT" for giving up everything just to save one person.

(?)

his motivation for destroying the republic was the same as his motivation for destroying the empire.

*shrug*

--> how could the character be "redeemed", if the author didn't change his motivation?

[Solinbeb Newau]

I guess it's more that Vader sacrificed himself to protect his son...as opposed to seeking to empower himself to save someone.

[Starkindler (The Naked Jedi)]

In ROTS Anakin risked everything for POWER. Palpitane lured him not with knowledge to save her but with the POWERR to work his will. Yes, he wanted to save Padme, but he wanted to save her in order to NOT feel the loss, pain, and fear. it was all selfish. He also called it his empire and wanted to overthrow Palpitane almost from the get-go. (Greed and Selfishness)

in ROTJ Vader decides to turn his back on Power and position to save his son (who had flatly denied his pleas to team up to rule things together). He knew Luke would not join him and continue to fight him if he took Palpitanes place. He decided to side with Lukes view of things and likely knew it could killl him in the process. (Love and Selflessness)

two sides of a coin. flipped one way now the other.
Vader changed his mind and Lukes Love was the catalyst.
Anakin DID bring balance to the Force.......just 20 years after the JEdi thought he would and after their arrogance had been balanced as well.

[Cara Drume]

Yup...ya hit the nail on the head, Tenric.

[Darcu RyMal]

Got to agree, nail on the head with that one.

[Leda EmBorr]

You guys should read "Star Wars on Trial". It's a debate between famous authors on things like this about SW! Very good! Funny too!

[Darcu RyMal]

I'll have to check that out once I'm finished with all the EU content.

[Starkindler (The Naked Jedi)]

Great! ~sigh~
Another book for the summer reading list..........

right now I am in the middle of "The Lord of the Rings and Philosophy"....