Hey everybody. This is a question I have thought about a lot, and my opinion on it seems to be different every time I think about it. It probably depends on whether I've just watched episode III or VI, or none or whatever, and what I was just thinking about, but here is the question:
How should we feel about Anakin's actions in Star Wars from ROTS to ROTJ? Considering how he wiped out all the Jedi and joined the Sith, but also good came out of that too.
I mean like if you were Obi-Wan for example in ROTJ, would you feel:

A: Happy and thankful that Anakin destroyed the Sith, and brought balance to the Force,

B: Frustrated that he had to do it in such a destructive manner while bringing balance,

C: Sorry for Anakin, because he went through hell for what turned out to be a good cause (from a certain point of view),

D: Hate and fury towards Anakin because he wiped out the Jedi Order and killed you,

E: You wouldn't feel strongly in either way, and did not show emotion towards Anakin, but he's still your buddy

It highly depends on what your point of view is, Obi-Wan would agree with this. Although I should add, Obi-Wan didn't seem to fight with any emotion much at all towards Vader in ANH. Probably because Obi-Wan has had a lot of time to think about, and accept what Anakin had done.

I have thought about "A" because he brought balance to the force, and he is really a good person deep down. He was your friend, and now he is back to his old self. He gave birth to a son who would help construct a great new Jedi Order, and to a daughter who would help create the New Republic. He's learned his lesson, and now he's done destroying things you ever loved.

I have thought about "B" because he had to destroy the Jedi Order and you. Also supporting the empire as well as taking so long to destroy the emperor when he could have done it on Coruscant, alongside Mace Windu, and everything would have been fine. He also said he hated you, and was totally blind into thinking the Jedi were evil.

I have thought of "C" because he did have a pretty miserable life. But it wasn't always for the best, so that's why not necessarily A. He started off being a slave, then he was a rather rebellious Jedi, which seemed to tear him up inside. He burned to a crisp on Mustafar, and went through terrible surgery, and had to wear a suit. Then (worst of all) he was a Sith who almost constantly feared for his life from Palpatine, and did whatever Palpatine wanted. And he couldn't overthrow Palpatine, so he had to continue doing dark deeds until he could. So, basically he was miserable, and did almost a favor for everyone by doing all he did, but also made everyone else miserable too.

I have thought of D because depending on what kind of mood Obi-Wan's in, and how he felt, you may take B to a bit of an extreme, because he was your sworn enemy when he was a Sith. Go back to B, but exaggerate what you would feel possibly.

I have definitely considered "E" because it can be hard to choose between these, and Vader really didn't intend to do any thing good at times, but on the other hand, he did do it, and was proud of it. But if you felt this way, you would still be Anakin's friend, or at least your friendship would be repairable.

Overall, even though if I think about it from a different point of view sometimes, A is how I feel most of the time. I also feel C a lot, too. Except sometimes after I watch ROTS. I feel it is A because Anakin brought balance to the force, and paved the way for the New Republic and New Jedi Order. I think a lot of people would feel this way, but I can definitely see other choices being considered. I think Obi-Wan chose either A or E in ROTJ, at the end, because he wasn't mad at all it seemed, and he wasn't like hugging Anakin at all, or even talking to him.

It is truly amazing how points of view can affect Star Wars so much, and completely how you look at it. Obi-Wan said in ROTJ "Luke, you're going to find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view."
I do agree with this, because of what this blog is all about, and how the Jedi came off evil to Anakin, this especially applies.

This doesn't have to be from Obi-Wan's point of view, though. It could be from yours as a viewer, or Mace Windu's, Yoda's or Anakin's even. It might make it more interesting if you give me your opinions for other characters as well. Let me know what you think. Comment away.
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Ki-Adi Andy

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