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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

Star Wars and the nature of Evil

Discussion in 'Star Wars Saga In-Depth' started by DellowFelegate, Feb 27, 2003.

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  1. DellowFelegate

    DellowFelegate Jedi Youngling star 1

    Registered:
    May 23, 2002
    A bit long, but I hope worthwhile...

    I believe the PT is offering us a trenchant insight into the way evil often really enters our lives, an insight that more of us should reflect upon.

    Often we think of evil in terms of external factors which overwhelm us from the outside. We also assune that the evil we face will be easy to recognize even in early stages. In this outlook, fighting evil means openly confronting some other person or thing, and yielding to evil means losing a fight with an external enemy.

    Many of us expected the PT to unfold this way. Knowing that the PT would depict the entry of darkness into a galaxy of light, many of us expected to see the forces of evil massing off in the distance. Our Heroes would rush off to meet Evil as it advanced across the galaxy. After a series of pitched battles, the Good Guys would be forced to succumb despite a valiant effort, setting the stage for the inspiring struggle of the OT.

    The actual story of the PT, however, shows us how evil often does enter the world. After all, much of the evil in our lives comes not from others, but from things and circumstances we ourselves created in our lives because they represent security, not realizing them to be evil. Only too late do we realize what we have done, and rebel against what we created. So it is with the republic. They willingly bring Palpatine to power and increase his power to gain security. Only too late will anyone realize what has actually happened. As is often the case in our lives, Evil will go completely unrecognized until it dominates completely.

    I think some of the disappointment in the prequels can be traced to this. We were expecting 'good vs. evil', and are getting 'evil unopposed because good can't recognize it'. Such a story lacks overt conflict, cool villains, and the determined and inspiring struggle we saw in the OT. The battles we do see in the PT seem false because they are ultimately diversions from the true advance of Evil. The battles in the OT, on the other hand, represent the real struggle of light to overcome darkness.

    Therefore, although the PT lacks much of what made the OT enjoyable to watch, this lack brings home an important point--that the entry of darkness into light is different from the entry of light into darkness. That's why I am enjoying the prequels.
     
  2. Latorski

    Latorski Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Dec 14, 2002
    Very insightful. I agree with much of your post. It's interesting that evil often is the result of someone with power trying to do good. I've wondered if Anakin's eventual fall is the result if actions that he feels are bending the rules, but basically good. I agree it's a much more subtle progression and truer to real life.
     
  3. ForceHeretic

    ForceHeretic Jedi Youngling star 4

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    Dec 8, 2002
    Good post. Basically sums up a lot of the things I like about the PT that most people seem to hate. It is a much more realistic situation (excluding of course the force and everything) Evil is rarely seen for what it truly is, just look at pornography. Most people accept it as being OK, but it's evil (In fact, EVERY known serial killer that was caught said pornography started them towards killing)

    People agree, the PT is subtle, which is why it's so good
     
  4. DellowFelegate

    DellowFelegate Jedi Youngling star 1

    Registered:
    May 23, 2002
    Latorski brings up something I hadn't considered in my orignal post, as I was thinking about the galaxy, not Anakin. But Anakin is the prinipal character in the saga,and his state mirrors the galaxy's. Just as the republic falls by doing something understandable (electing a strong chancellor in turbulent times), Anakin falls by doing something understandable (avenging the cruel death of his mother). Many viewers expected Ani's fall to begin with a base act that would revulse everyone, not an act that many would indentify with.

    "Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny!"

    Not easy advice to follow, as the dark path is rarely labeled for us as such.
     
  5. ForceHeretic

    ForceHeretic Jedi Youngling star 4

    Registered:
    Dec 8, 2002
    yes I think one of the reasons people don't like how Anakin's fall has been handled is because he hasn't done anything that they themselves are sure they wouldn't do, the fact that they can empathize with him is something they don't like, but I think it makes the entire saga better
     
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