Qui-Gon explains that *compassion* is the key, and Anakin had little enough of that.
*puts on Hat of Mythological Symbolism in Star Wars*
Actually, Anakin had plenty of compassion. To start with, virgin births in Eastern/Buddhist mythology were symbolic of the birth of a being of pure compassion, as virgin birth = birth from the heart chakra = compassion. Second, practically all of Anakin's character in TPM is compassion. A lot of this disappears between TPM and AotC, but there are flashes of it here and there, as in the scene where he wants to go back and help the clone troopers during the Battle of Coruscant. Thirdly, and I've advocated this theory before, children in the SW saga stand for compassion. So the true death of Anakin and birth of Vader is in the moment he slaughters the younglings.
Going off to the OT, you can argue that Vader has very little compassion, up to the end of the final duel. However, this is the point where I invoke the legend of the Grail King, who was young and beautiful and unworthy of the Grail, and set out from his castle with a cry of "Amor!*", only to be injured by a passing Sarascen. He suffers for years before Perceival heals him, a healing which is accomplished by Perceival showing compassion for the King. As should be obvious, Anakin is the Grail King, and Luke is Perceival. Once the King is healed, he learns the lesson of compassion, and is worthy of the Grail. Grail = Force Ghostie, anyone?
*Oh, look, it's selfish love. Not Eros, or Agape, but Amor. Remind you of anyone?
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Date: 2005-08-14 02:49 am (UTC)*puts on Hat of Mythological Symbolism in Star Wars*
Actually, Anakin had plenty of compassion. To start with, virgin births in Eastern/Buddhist mythology were symbolic of the birth of a being of pure compassion, as virgin birth = birth from the heart chakra = compassion. Second, practically all of Anakin's character in TPM is compassion. A lot of this disappears between TPM and AotC, but there are flashes of it here and there, as in the scene where he wants to go back and help the clone troopers during the Battle of Coruscant. Thirdly, and I've advocated this theory before, children in the SW saga stand for compassion. So the true death of Anakin and birth of Vader is in the moment he slaughters the younglings.
Going off to the OT, you can argue that Vader has very little compassion, up to the end of the final duel. However, this is the point where I invoke the legend of the Grail King, who was young and beautiful and unworthy of the Grail, and set out from his castle with a cry of "Amor!*", only to be injured by a passing Sarascen. He suffers for years before Perceival heals him, a healing which is accomplished by Perceival showing compassion for the King. As should be obvious, Anakin is the Grail King, and Luke is Perceival. Once the King is healed, he learns the lesson of compassion, and is worthy of the Grail. Grail = Force Ghostie, anyone?
*Oh, look, it's selfish love. Not Eros, or Agape, but Amor. Remind you of anyone?