"I cannot interfere."

When Obi-Wan says, "If you go to face the Emperor, I cannot interfere."(or words to that effect) in ROTJ, I`ve always kind of thought, "Why?!?" Presumably Force-ghosts can`t be hurt, so wouldn`t it be a big help to Luke if Force-ghost Obi AND Yoda were to appear in the Emperors chamber while Luke was there?

Come to think about it, why couldn`t Obi-Wan appear in Palpatine`s bedroom every time he`s just drifting off to sleep, and scream "BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" in his ear? Lack of sleep might eventually drive Palps to suicide, thereby throwing the Empire into disarray??

 

Obi-Wan is lazy and/or scared.

 

Hmmm... maybe the dark side, which surrounds Palpatine and Vader, repels light side "ghosts"?

Or maybe, since Yoda and Obi Wan are completely given over to the Force, they cannot take DIRECT action to shape destiny. They can only advise the heroes on who's shoulders everything depends.

 

I agree with that. In addition, this was Luke's fight. This was something that luke had to deal with on his own. In ANH, Obi told luke "your destiny lies along a different path" and Vader tells him, "your destiny lies with me skywalker".

 

I guess that you're refering to the scene in ESB when Obi-Wan says that he can't interfere if Luke goes to face Vader.

I don't think it's because Obi-Wan can't physically interfere, but that it's something Luke must do by himself. He must decide for himself if he's really ready to meet Vader and he can't depend on Obi-Wan to save him.

 

Luke had to face his destiny alone. It's classic storytelling. The mentor has to move on and let the hero fulfill his task without interference.

 

Why? I don't know. And I don't think we are supposed to know. The force is a mystical entity, and for some reason Obi-Wan couldn't help Luke out.

I would guess it has something to do with the fact that he can't interfere with Luke's decisions as to how he will control his emotions and rather he will cross to the dark side, and probably has something to do with Vader.

For my own personal belief, I think there is some sort of code Obi Wan is honor bound by, but that's just me.

I can tell you this - it's not based on any "force rules" or the fact Obi Wan was only a level 9 Jedi Master or some malarky like that.

 

You`d think he could`ve done some practical jokes on Vader or something.

 

i agree with most posters.

obi wan had to let luke make the right decisions and face vader, for the ultimate defeat of the Sith..

BUT...

perhaps also, remeber Vaders line to Palpy in ESB "hes just a boy, Obi wan can NO LONGER HELP HIM"

Maybe, if Obi Wan shows up in spirit, voice, or any way....then Vader and Palps would immediately sense him and figure there is a way to remain after death...

basically, If obi wan interfears, maybe Vader and Palps will be aware of this whole Force Ghost phenomena and that alone may clue them in on how to become one with the force??

just a thought

 

Good point, Master_Jedi80, but then how does Vader manage to come back as a Jedi ghost without Obi or Yoda interfearing?

 

Good point...

maybe once Vader is redeemed, Qui, Yoda or Obi contact him some how and tell him the tricks...
or he is automatically granted the force ghost cause hes the chosen one.

I always figured that if the Emperor and Vader saw or new about the Obi force ghost powers, they would call a time out, huddle up, and call a new play...

edit [force]

 

jedi_master_ousley posted on 7/20/05 1:37pm

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Luke had to face his destiny alone. It's classic storytelling. The mentor has to move on and let the hero fulfill his task without interference.[hr][/blockquote]

You're absolutely right. Obi-Wan's time was served and he was only a mentor to Luke at that time, and he couldn't help Luke in battle even if he wanted to.

 

remember also that if one's consciousness is preserved by the Force while the body is destroyed (as such in Ben and Yoda's cases) the knowledge, however extensive in life, is still limited to that of the original person... MEANING that Ben and Yoda have no idea, even as Force ghosts, what will come of Vader vs Luke, but they know from their connection (that still exists as part of the Force itself) that the destiny is Luke's and Luke's alone.

 

He had already interfered during Luke's battle with Vader on Mimban. He couldn't do it again.

 

What battle? Is this from a book?

If it was from Splinter in the Mind's Eye (or something like that), I'm not too sure if what happened in that book has ANYTHING to do with what happened in the movies.

But what do I know?

 

Yes, it is from Splinter. It doesn't have to do with the movies directly, but it does have to do with Star Wars.

 

Prolly the best they could do is rattle some cupboard doors and slide a salt shaker across the table. Not too useful.

 

*So you brought Obi-Wan with you...such a coward you are for bringing along the helpless spirit of such a pathetic soul. Be thankful I cannot kill him again, but you have disapointed me!