Saga What does "good in him" mean

Both Luke and Padme believe that there is good in Anakin after he becomes Darth Vader. I've always wondered what that means. What made Darth Vader not pure evil, or less evil than ALL the other Sith or other villains? I understand that they care because they are his family, and that he unlocks his good by saving his son selflessly, but how did Luke know that he would do that. Did he really feel the good in Vader? The only chance he would have had would be on Bespin, and I know he didn't care about redeeming Vader at that point. I can understand Padne believing that Anakin was good (although his actions by then were as bad as other Sith) but her opinion would be biased, because he's Anakin. Is there anything besides his actions on the Death Star that suggest goodness, or less evil, than Maul or Dooku, or any other villain?

 

For the record, noone said that the other villains were more evil than Vader.

As for the question...

"That's why you couldn't destroy me. That's why you won't bring me to your Emperor now."

It seems like Luke has thought things through since Bespin and come to the conclusion that since his father doesn't seem very keen on killing him and would rather team up with him as a father-son duo than bring him to the Emperor, there must be a shred of light in him still.
Moreover:

"I feel the good in you. The conflict."

At that point, Luke does seem to actually sense it. Perhaps he's taunting him with it, but in hindsight, we know that Vader is conflicted here; that the small Anakin part of him is fighting to break free from the dark side. Luke is making progress and he knows it. They both know it.
So, Luke keeps pushing his father's buttons to coax him toward the light.

As for Padmé... That might be family bias. Or, she simply remembers how conflicted he was when she last saw him.

 

because he was once a good man and deep, deep down he has moments of conflict and a seed of the good man still remains.

 

This. Vader just felt he was beyond redemption given his deeds and long connection to the Empire.

 

How did anyone else know that ?

 

Padme knew Anakin before he turned evil. She knows his true self is good.

Luke felt Anakin's internal conflict through the Force.

 

sorry but this kind of the most ridiculous question ever. it doesn't need over explanation. there was still good in him.. that's why padme and luke say it.

 

It means that George Lucas is really trying to sell us on the whole tragedy aspect.

 

Personally I think the message of Star Wars deals with good vs evil, and it is saying that even the most evil man in the galaxy can still be redeemed. Lord of the Rings has an opposite, but equally true message, that even the most pure of heart (Frodo) can be corrupted.

So when they say 'There is still good in him,' I think they simply believe he can be redeemed. Luke and Padme are connected to Vader through love, so that is why they believe it. I'm sure Luke and Padme don't believe anyone can be redeemed, otherwise they would have tried to maybe protect Palpatine as well. But Luke and Padme are just pieces of the story, and the story's message is anyone can be redeemed.

That is the way I take it anyway.

 

Well Vader is evil, while he was Vader. But it's like what Luke says that "I know there is good in you, the Emperor hasn't turned it from you fully."
It hints that Anakin Skywalker is strugglling to come alive again.

And when we looks closely at Vader's character, most of the pivot actions that he do are all driven by love. Betraying the Jedi to *try* to save Padme. Betraying the Emperor to save Luke, and ready to sacrifice himself.
During TESB and RoTJ (before the throne room), it shows that Vader does not want to kill Luke. And how selfish it may be, ready to betray everyone, it is love, it is the thing that shows that he is not beyond redemption.

It was also made clear in a couple of scenes that Vader was more like "enslaved" to the Emperor. He does not care about the Emperor's intentions or anything. And will eventually overthrow him, if Luke joined him. The main reason of his fall was that he believed that he came too far. (Heck, he even cried on Mustafar). He believes that cutting off Mace Windu's arm is an irreversible action. He sees no other path for him in the future, because he has embraced the Dark. He had become evil. And his only choice at that time is to stay with the only single person who could accept him like that, which is Darth Sidious. That's why he became Sidious' apprentice. That's why he fell. That's why he became Vader. And that's why it took so long to redeem him. During his time as Vader, Anakin Skywalker still exist, however, very weak, and trapped in Vader.

Finally, the Throne room scene.

Luke finally gives in to his anger, and slashes out at Palpatine. Vader intercepts and the final duel begins. My opinion why Vader intercept is Vader thought he could defeat Luke, and convince him, then finally double team the Emperor.

Luke, however, beat Vader. He cut off Vader's arm. He was offered a chance to kill the one who cut off his hand. But once he saw that he is repeating Vader's destiny if he kills Vader, he controlled himself.

Inside Vader, he was shown a lot of love, from Luke. From his own son, who knew what he is, who knew who he was, yet still loves him and ready to forgive him.

Once Palpatine unleashes a lethal dose of force lightning, toturing Luke, Vader watches as the only few who still loved him, was totured and in pain.

Finally, Vader turns agaisnt the Emperor and throws him down the shaft. He made peace with his son, and became the one with the force. He was allowed to stand with Obi-Wan and Yoda again. (Qui-Gon was probably there but you can't see him, lol). At the end, he was Anakin Skywalker again. Because the good in him showed, and overthrow his darkness inside him.

Luke did not killed Vader. The Emperor did not killed Vader.

It was Anakin Skywalker who killed Darth Vader.

Luke did defeat Vader. But all Luke his after he cuts off Vader's hand is be a source of power for Anakin Skywalker. Which in the end, proved sufficient for Anakin to kill Vader, and help his son. Anakin is finally killed by the Emperor, fullfilling his duty as the chosen one.

 

How do they know that though? And you don't need to be hostile.

 

I think it's a reasonable question, with several answers:

1. The Force did it. (They could sense, through the Force.)

2. They wanted to believe it, and happened to be right. Or used context clues (Luke in ROTJ: "You couldn't bring yourself to kill me before, and I don't believe you'll destroy me now.")

3. Question not the ways of the Script, there's always a bigger fish.

 

ROTS has a scene in which Anakin shows remorse over betraying and killing the Jedi. After he kills the Separatists, Anakin stares at the Mustafar facility and lava. Despite his effort, he shed a tear of regret.

This is the faint flicker of good that remained, which Padme noticed and Luke would later sense.

 

Even in the most darkest individuals, there is the possibly of kindness lurking within the dark. As my mother always says, there is a good person within everyone.

 

I like to think the "good in him" as a flicker of light burning in a sea of darkness. And from that small light, a whole ocean can be lit.