Star Wars at its core is not only a story of good versus evil, but also a story of redemption. These themes resonate with people of all ages. It hits close to home. Everyone has a constant battle for the soul. Everyone struggles against the pull to the darkness. Anakin's failure and his subsequent redemption gives people hope not only for themselves, but also for their loved ones who have fallen off the deep end. Does Anakin deserve redemption? It's not really for me to say. But it's a good question to consider. This is a man who murdered children, betrayed his friends, massacred his entire religion/police force, overthrew a peaceful government, murdered the closest thing he had to a father, to say nothing of his twenty-five year reign of terror in a galaxy suffocating in fear of him. This is a man who abused, physically and psychologically, his pregnant wife. It is easy to see why Obi-Wan would counsel Luke to kill such a man. This is not the picture of a man easily saved. Yet time and time again, we hear, "there is good in him." Or, "I know there is good in you."
The question should probably change from, "does Vader deserve redemption?" to "can such a man change?" I am not a fan of deathbed repentance as a general rule. But Vader's choice is of such magnitude that it has an effect on, presumably, every living thing in the galaxy. Why would such a man who had buried everything good about himself in a way similar to how we treat the darkness within ourselves, decide to do a 180? What could make such a monster that had so long been past feeling remember the good man he use to be?
The answer of course is the appearance of his son. For all of the big talk about the dark side and trying to corupt Leia, there was conflict within him. This is a man who lost everything and locked himself away in the darkness. But suddenly he discovers he has a son, and Anakin begins to reawaken. He even revives his plan that he had for Padme, to rule the Galaxy with his remaining family by his side. He finds his son more noble than he had hoped. What must throw Vader for a loop is that Luke sees past the fright mask and actively seeks Vader's redemption. Vader's arguments against Luke are, "You don't know the power of the dark side. I must obey my master." And, "It is too late for me Son." Essentially, he thinks that were he to try, Palpatine would kill him. But also, this is a man who understands with the rest of us, that he had done too much that was too wrong. Essentially, "Look at me, I'm unforgivable." But Luke keeps coming with the unforeseeable. Luke is willing to forgive him, after everything that he has done. He continually reminds him that he can change and he shows him not only the man he use to be, but the man he should have been when he says, "Never! I'll never turn to the dark side. You've failed your highness. I am a Jedi! Like my father before me." Then Anakin finally has his opportunity. It was his son's belief in him that gave him the strength to return to face the light again, knowing it would cost him his life. And he finds on the other side that, to his everlasting surprise I'm sure, he was welcomed there in that place of light, and that he died a Jedi knight.
That hope of redemption resonates with all. As does the effect that loved ones can have on those making bad choices. This doesn't mean consequences are taken away. Anakin's bad choices inspired his own grandson to commit atrocities in his name across the galaxy. This I'm sure continues to cause the reformed Jedi pain that his legacy has such bloodshed attached to it. So yes, Anakin is saved, but his family still bares the cost of his actions.
This is what I see in movies. This is why I roll my eyes at those who immediately think of the dollar bills in executive's wallets. These stories are far more important than entertainment. They may not be real life. But they show us what life really means. I could talk about the lessons of Star Wars in greater length and depth, and I likely will. And this is the point of this blog, to redeem the media, and show what is already unconsciously understood, that we love stories for a reason.
