ROTJ: Meaning of the title

This has probably been posted/debated before, but what the hey:

When ROTJ was released, everyone, including myself, assumed that "The Jedi" in the title referred to Luke.

Around the release of AOTC, I was getting a feeling that "The Jedi" was now referring to Anakin.

Now that the saga is complete, I can't help but to feel in the grand scheme of things, "The Jedi" refers to the imminent return of the Jedi Order.

When looking at the titles in a saga-sense, it just seems that the ROTJ title is too big to refer to just Luke.

Thoughts ?

 

I have always thought that it reffered to more of a Return of the Jedi Order type of thing, not sure though .

 

I always figured that it meant a bigger thing. Kinda like ROTS doesn't mean just Sids ROTJ means more than just Luke

 

I've always felt that the title referred to Anakin and his return to the light side.

 

I feel it refers to Anakin fulfilling the prophecy by destroying the Sith and bringing balance to the Force.

The Jedi win, the Sith lose.

Luke and Anakin are the catalysts.

Prior to TPM, I felt basically the same, without all the prophecy details. Anakin was turned back from the dark side and redeemed by Luke.

 

Yes, I've always thought that the name "Jedi" didn't referred to Luke in ROTJ, just 'cos he wasn't a complete Jedi in ANH and ESB yet.
Actually, it was the first time that we saw Luke as a jedi, so the title couldn't referred only to him.
I was used to think that it meant the return of the Jedi order, by the person of Luke. And, according with you, that's the most reasonable meaning. Luke shall start a new era of Jedi.

But after having seen the ep III, I realized (I should have realized it even before, by seeing the I and II eps) that all the saga is centralized on the character of Anakin Skywalker - I must say that I hadn't this thought when I saw the classic trilogy. So that now I think that the "Jedi" of the ROTJ title, is the return of Anakin too, but not only for himself.
I mean: as me, this title stands for the restauration of the light side.
A restauration both brought by Luke, and desired in his last minutes by Anakin (who lived the fall and the redemption at the end of his life).

I don't know if I was clear: I wanted to say that the new order of jedi, is not only due to Luke, but to Anakin himself too, in a certain way. Infact, how the peace would be restored if Anakin had died with hate in his heart?
The one who was meant to bring peace - that's Luke - couldn't have a father who died with hate. So, the peace in galaxy is possible not only thanx to Luke, but also to the "return" of the old jedi - Anakin Skywalker.

 

OMG, I was slow replying, and only now I read the other answers. I agree with General Kenobi (Luke and Anakin as catalyst for the turn to the light side).

 

How can that be? He died! He's no Jedi anymore. The title makes more sense in reference to Luke and the reformation of the Jedi Order.

 

Hole in one, lol.

 

I always thought of it as the return of the Jedi Order.

Warrior_of_Mandalore Strikes Again!

 

It means that the Jedi have finally returned from extinction and the sith has lost

 

I always looked at it three ways:

1. Luke returning to Yoda as he promised.

2. The Jedi Order being ressurrected.

3. Anakin Skywalker dying a Jedi Master.

 

Technically, there are no living Jedi from the time Yoda dies until Luke becomes a Jedi by confronting Vader (successfully). Then I guess you can say that Anakin is brought back by Luke.

 

I don't think the title refers to either Luke or Anakin in particular, but rather the return of the Jedi Order. It has been extinct since the execution of Order 66, and Luke brings about its rebirth.

 

Huh? There are fewer Jedi alive at the end of ROTJ than ROTS. And much less of a formal "Jedi Order", I'd say.

The title refers to the Jedi's return to power and the defeat of the Sith (thus bringing balance).

Remember that Lucas originally titled it Revenge Of The Jedi.

 

Except none of those post-ROTS Jedi are functioning as such. They are in hiding. For all practical purposes the Jedi Order no longer exists. (the Jedi Order not being the same as *a Jedi*)

I'm sticking to my blasters on ROTJ referring to the return of the Jedi Order.

 

The ambiguity and double meaning is sorta what makes it a good title to begin with. You're not sure if it refers to the return of the Jedi Order through Luke, or Anakin's u-turn and becoming a Jedi for the second time in his life, thus it makes you dwell upon the film all the more and thus it's allowed to reiterate its various points.

 

exactly, it is ambigous and it should. The jedi order hs returned with Luke and Anakin (both jedi). The jedi are back after a heroic struggle. .. . That's all there is too the title really (and after ROTS).

 

I've always thought of it as the Return of the Jedi order.

 

I always used to think it referred to Luke.
But now after seeing ROTS I think it's more the Jedi Order. Because through Luke there can be a complete new Order of Jedi's back.

 

i also it was that kuke has got a jedi so he is the first new jedi..

 

As a kid i always thought "the return of the jedi"--- meaning Luke is now a Jedi and he is trained and ready to take on the empire...

Since ROTS/PT I still feel it is totally a referance to Luke on the small scheme of the film itself, but totally ALSO has new meanings and heavier weight in light of the entire Saga....

I think it can encompass ALL 3 meanings... Luke Returns for round 2 vs Vader as the first Jedi since kenobi's death, Vader "returning" to the Light side, and the Return of the Jedi Order/ jedi guardians of peace.


I think it works best that way. in the smaller sense, its a reference to luke, in the OT sense its also Anakin's redemption, and the saga its the return of the Jedi order.

Personally i LOVE things that have multiple meaning and different levels of meaning. That is why this title works SO great in my book

 

It simply refers to the "Jedi" return to prominence in the Galaxy. As Obi-Wan said the Jedi were keepers of the peace in the old republic, before the empire. The end of this movie marks the Jedi return as a force (No pun intended)in the galaxy as they have been AWOL for over 20 years.

 

The Return of Anakin Skywalker the Jedi
The Return of a new Jedi (Luke)
The Return of the Jedi Order and the fall of the Sith

 

The title has more than one meaning, as do some of the other titles. The first and third film of both trilogies have more than one meaning:

The Phantom Menace: Mainly refers to Darth Sidious and the coming of the Sith Lords, but it can also refer to Anakin Skywalker because they do not yet know what will be happening to them

Revenge of the Sith: Mainly refers to Darth Sidious finally revealing himself to the Jedi, thus avenging the fallen Sith Order, but it also refers to Darth Vader taking his revenge upon the Jedi for "what they did to him"

A New Hope: Mainly refers to Luke starting to train as a Jedi under Obi-Wan Kenobi, but it also refers to Leia rising up as a leader and the Alliance scoring the first major victory of the Empire, bring hope to those who have none. Another possible one could be that now, Darth Vader is going to start reconsidering some things

Return of the Jedi: Mainly refers to the return of the Jedi Order, but it also refers to Luke coming back and becoming a Jedi and Anakin Skywalker fufilling the prophecy and dying as a redeemed man


It's all about POV!