Another Pathetic Life Form

This quote by Obi Wan to Qui Gon has always bothered me, and until recently I have sat with contempt on trying to understand just exactly what he meant regarding Anakin joining the party??? I'm sure this has been brought up before, and if there is another post on this please let me know.

I always believed the jedi respected all life forms and by Obi saying this within earshot of Anakin is certainly quite condescending and completely out of character. Was it meant to show that instantly after meeting or coming into contact with Anakin that he was being looked down upon by Obi? (still way out of character IMHO). Do you think it's something he apologized to Anakin later on about, because when he said it he was in a sour mood and could easliy have been scolded by Qui Gon because at the time Obi was just a naive padawan and should have been respectful of Anakin? Any other contexts?

I'd like to know your interpretations of this dialogue please? Thanks!

 

I've never liked Obi-Wan saying that line. I don't think he says it within earshot of Anakin though, I could be wrong, but doesn't he says it near the ship when Qui-Gon says he has to go back for some unfinished business (i.e. to pick up Anakin). And I believe he isn't calling Anakin a pathetic life form, but refering to Jar Jar and hoping Qui-Gon hadn't picked up another thing like him. I don't really think Obi-Wan has anything against Anakin at that point, he hasn't even met him, but I still don't like the line. I'm not to sure what the line is trying to show, possibly that Obi-Wan changes over the years to be a more friendly person as in AOTC he is friendly towards Jar Jar. I'd rather he didn't say it though.

 

I always felt it was Obi having a playful jab at Qui-Gon; yes, he referred to Jar Jar like that, but it was Obi half-hoping that they didn't pick up a creature like him. That's what I've always thought.

 

Thanks guys! I agree with most points, and probably like you, my point is that no jedi should really refer to any living thing as a pathetic life form. I have always remembered, however Anakin standing there next to Obi and Qui Gon when the statement is made, but I could be wrong, not sure...

Remember, "life creates (the force), makes it grow. Between, you and me, the rock and the tree..."

 

have always remembered, however Anakin standing there next to Obi and Qui Gon when the statement is made, but I could be wrong, not sure...

I think you are thinking of when they are on Coruscant and Obi-Wan says "The boy is dangerous, they all sense it why can't you", and Anakin is stood near them then. He isn't when Obi-Wan makes the pathetic lifeform line though as the first time Obi-Wan sees Anakin is why Qui-Gon introduces them, "Anakin Skywalker meet Obi-Wan Kenobi" "You're a Jedi too? Please to meet you".

 

Neither Anakin nor Jar Jar was within hearing distance IIRC. People have accused Obi-Wan of rascism towards Gungans with this remark, but I think that's reading too much into it. I always thought of it as Obi-Wan's commentary on Qui-Gon's tendancy to attract hangers-on who don't seem essential to the mission at hand. I think it also shows that Obi-Wan, despite being almost finished with his apprenticeship, still has a lot to learn and is not yet at Qui-Gon's level.

 

Besides what has been mentioned above, I think Obi Wan is showing a bit of disrespect to his Master, and a touch of that Jedi superiority complex. Qui Gon is a forgiving sort though, and it irks Obi Wan a bit, especially when they are on a mission, yet, his Master picks up lifeforms that he feels may not benefit them.

Later he apologizes for his behaviour. Wonderful stuff.

 

I always thought he was being wry. He doesn't really think the lifeforms Qui-Gon picks up are pathetic, he's just using hyperbole to make a point.

 

Notice how when Qui-Gon tells him that the "pathetic life form" is the boy who's responsible for getting them off Tatooine, Obi-Wan gets this slightly ashamed expression, like he's just been put in his place. I think he made the "pathetic life form" crack without really thinking, then after Qui-Gon tells him just who he's insulting, he realizes he's put his foot in his mouth and drops the smug attitude.

 

IIRC that line was originally said by Captain Panaka in the first couple of drafts of the TPM script. All the Naboo were racist against other life-forms ( GL kind of dropped this sub-plot in later drafts) and this was reflected in their dialogue. When GL replaced Obi-Wan's role with that of Qui-Gon, Qui-Gon inherited most of Obi-Wan's deeds and dialogue and Obi-Wan picked up lines originally intended for other characters. It does make him seem a bit racist, but I think in context it's just supposed to show he has a smart mouth.

 

Based on the novel (I know, it isn't in the movie) it describes Obi-Wan as feeling left out and how Qui-Gon is pushing Obi-Wan to the side to pursue other things. Like I said Obi-Wan feels left out, so to speak, so he automatically doesn't like anything that he feels is taking his place or attention.

 

Hmm "are you brainless, "get out of my way "and they are cowards" "the ability to speak doesn?t make you intelligent". This is spoken from a Jedi Master who has many years? experience then his padawan. The pathetic line was a joke that went wrong and he did show a guilt expression after ward.

Qui-Gon never showed any regret after his harsh words therefore I have very difficult to this character. he doesn?t seem to care about other beings if they dont are little kids. Not that is wrong but for a Jedi Master you would think that he would have more respect to other beings even if they act silly.
And like other have said the first time they meet it was on the ship to coruscant.

 

Obi-Wan didn't know anything about Anakin, so it was just a playful joke that he better not be like Jar Jar.

 

This quote by Obi Wan to Qui Gon has always bothered me, and until recently I have sat with contempt on trying to understand just exactly what he meant regarding Anakin joining the party???

When I first saw the movie, I wondered if that statement could come back and bite Obi-Wan in the you know what. But there's anothing statement that has a better chance I believe. The part where Obi-Wan says "The boy is dangerous. They all sense it, why can't you?" Anakin was close by and no doubt heard the comment.

 

Maybe we'll hear a Anakin reference this when he fights OB1 in Ep.3. Something along the lines of OB1 never wanted him to learn the Jedi ways because he was afraid of him.

 

I thought it was a horrible joke on Obi-Wan's part, and arrogant. It was much worse than Qui-Gon's comment "Are you brainless?" or "The ability to speak does not make you intelligent, now get out of here." Jar-Jar had just put them in danger there. I have said similar things to my students when they have done something idiotic, and I don't say it to mean they're stupid, but rather that they are acting stupid--and Jar-Jar was acting stupid. However, I would never call one of my students a "pathetic lifeform". That insult is...well...pathetic. Not even Jar-Jar deserved that, and I thought Obi-Wan should have been slapped.

 

That's when Anakin jumps in... "I find you lack of... what's my line again? Oh yeah, YIPEE!"

 

Just curious what is the different between pathetic life form and Brainless for in both statements is to condemn something they both don?t understand, for the moment but one is joking and the other is not.

Nor do I say the Obi-Wans inside joke is funny or a correct statement, but the funny is, he the only one who is trying to now jar-jar and the later seem to be happy to see Obi -Wan again then they return to the ship and in Atoc

 

I believe it simply shows the Jedi hubris, and how the Jedi order had become seperate from the populace for so long.

 

That could be possible--a further sign that the Jedi, in isolating themselves in their ivory tower, know very little about the beings they're supposed to help.