Deconstructing Anakin’s Destiny
I enjoy the free will versus destiny element of Star Wars series, playing out for Anakin. It wasn’t an “either/or” situation. Anakin made choices every step of the way, using his free will, but ultimately his fate resulted in the Chosen One prophecy coming to pass. So was it really free will? That is why I enjoy Anakin’s story because whichever way you deconstruct it, you may come up with a different conclusion “from a certain point of view.” Watching the Star Wars series is a reminder of lessons I’ve learned from my late twenties until mid-thirties.
Humility is the Hardest Lesson
My late twenties were challenging, since this was the time I learned humility. There were some things believe I did not have free will to exercise, because it would lead me away from my what I was supposed to be doing, encountering roadblocks and barriers if I strayed from that path. I’ve sacrificed personal relationships I believed I really wanted for a greater good, so I could complete my own destiny, so to speak. I know anger, I know selfishness. These are the things I’ve felt and had to work through as my “free will” would be blocked time and again, preserving the path that I’m suppose to walk. Ultimately, I learned humility. I’ve accepted that there are some instances where I will never have free will and to be humble and be at peace with that knowledge.
Self-Awareness: Understanding the Choices You Choose to Make or Not Make
Once I accepted humility, I became self-aware. I learned that every action has a consequence. I’ve learned that there are no accidents; everything or every moment has a purpose. It’s how we respond to those events that give us the opportunity to be self-aware, understanding the effects that will occur as a result of our actions. Quickly, I learned to integrate self-awareness by running several scenarios, and then cause and effect of each scenario. Today, I do this automatically in seconds, as I make choices on decisions, big or small. Changeing movies series, Dumbledore sums it up nicely as he tells Harry Potter in The Chamber of Secrets, “It is not our abilities that show what we truly are… it is our choices.” It always comes down to our choices.
Humility and Anakin
Based on my experiences, I find Anakin’s journey intriguing. In pursuing his commitment to becoming a Jedi, he doesn’t understand that he must be humble by accepting the terms of the Jedi Order. Whether it’s earthly possessions or being in a relationship, Anakin fails to learn that he must be humble to a greater good and its terms. By not being humble, he continues to exercise his free will out of selfishness and even selflessness (for Padme in Revenge of the Sith) that leads to his path towards the Dark Side.
Anakin’s Lack of Self-Awareness
One could argue that Anakin is self-aware. He knowingly makes choices that will have hopefully result in the outcome he wants to happen. He makes choices based on things that he couldn’t prevent and resolves to not make those same mistakes again. But ultimately, Anakin lacks the self-awareness of cause and effect. I’m sure he never intended go down the path of the Dark Side, as he slaughtered all the Tuscan Raiders, who killed his mother. Yes, he will make a critical, selfless decision to save Padme in Revenge of the Sith, but did he factor in the all the consequences?
Anakin’s was always quick to act, never thinking through his actions, which is why I believe he lacks self-awareness. In Revenge of the Sith, Anakin ultimately sacrifices the very thing he was hoping to prevent, Padme’s death. If only he would have thought through that action, but then we wouldn’t have the Star Wars mythology, would we?
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Yes, Anakin is an epic self awareness FAIL.
I like this series.
Thanks. Bummer for Anakin. He was so intent on doing good and doing well as a Jedi. There’s nothing worse than getting confused by the Dark Side, thinking that the Jedi are taking over the Senate.