Star Wars: Blogs | I was a Teenage Jedi | A Prophecy... That Misread, Could Have Been

I was a Teenage Jedi

by: Master Ki-Aaron-Mundi

date posted: Mar 26, 2006 8:10 PM | updated: May 20, 2006 11:16 PM

A Prophecy... That Misread, Could Have Been

As central as The Prophecy of the Chosen One is to the Star Wars Saga, truth be known, we have very little idea as to its actual contents.

What do we actually know? Let's take a look at the central times the Prophecy has been referred to...

The earliest reference to what could be the Prophecy actually appears in the 3rd draft of the script to the original Star Wars film, Episode IV, dated August 1, 1975:

"... and in the time of greatest despair,
there shall come a savior, and he shall
be known as
The Son of The Suns."
Journal of the Whills, 3:127

Whether this is official or not is completely contestable. Also debatable is, if this is canon, whether it has anything at all to do with the Prophecy of the Chosen One.

It should be noted, however, that some fans claim a Gungan can be heard yelling, "The son of suns!" during the end celebration of Return of the Jedi in the DVD version of the Original Trilogy.

If this is a piece of the Prophecy, how does it fit in? "The Son of The Suns" seems to have two equally valid and possibly coinciding interpretations:

1) The Son of The Suns refers to one born on Tatooine, i.e. born under a planet with multiple suns.

2) The Son of The Suns refers to one born of the galaxy, i.e. has no natural birth father.

It is now time to tread into more canonical ground. Let's kick it off as early chronologically as we can go, with Episode I (all quotes following taken from movie scripts):

YODA : Master Qui-Gon more to say have you?
QUI-GON : With your permission, my Master. I have encountered a vergence in the Force.

Now, we need to define the word "vergence." Dictionary.com reports:

1. A measure of the convergence or divergence of a pair of light rays, defined as the reciprocal of the distance between a point of reference and the point at which the rays intersect.

2. The inward or outward turning of one or both eyes that occurs when focusing on an object.
...
A disjunctive movement of the eyes in which the fixation axes are not parallel.

Helpful...

I admit, the above definitions seem difficult to grasp. But the conclusion I'm drawing is, vergence means an unequal focus. In the context of Star Wars, we're looking at an unequal focus in the Force. Perhaps an overmanifestation where there is no reason for it to be.

YODA : A vergence, you say?
MACE WINDU : Located around a person?

Notice Master Windu automatically assumes our overmanifestation is present in a person, not a place.

QUI-GON : A boy... his cells have the highest concentration of midi-chlorians I have seen in a life form. It is possible he was conceived
by the midi-chlorians.
MACE WINDU : You're referring to the prophesy of the one who will bring
balance to the Force... you believe it's this boy??

Apparently, "vergence" is the word Qui-Gon has chosen to describe a person with an incredibly high concentration of midichlorians. High enough that he feels safe drawing the conclusion he was conceived by the midichlorians.

Mace's response shows that this assumption is an automatic correlation to the Prophecy. Also notice that he refers to the Prophecy as one telling of a person who will bring balance to the Force.

So what we know about the Prophecy is:

1) It tells of an individual conceived by midichlorians
2) This individual will bring balance to the Force

QUI-GON : I don't presume...
YODA : But you do! Revealed your opinion is.
QUI-GON : I request the boy be tested.

The JEDI all look to one another. They nod and turn back to OBI-WAN and
QUI-GON.

YODA : Trained as a Jedi, you request for him?
QUI-GON : Finding him was the will of the Force...I have no doubt of that.
There is too much happening here...
MACE WINDU : Bring him before us, then.
YODA : Tested he will be.

The Jedi seem afraid of the Chosen One. Rather than eagerly anticipating the testing of the one who could bring balance to the Force, the Jedi seem leery of this individual.

It's possible this is simply Jedi scepticism at Qui-Gon's words. Perhaps the Prophecy contains information (i.e. the fall of the Jedi Order) that would scare the Jedi.

Most likely, the Prophecy contains some trying times, such as the re-emergence of the Sith or a period of darkness, that the Jedi would prefer not to experience. Perhaps it's simply they don't like the idea of the Force being imbalanced.

The Prophecy says:
1) An individual will be conceived by midichlorians
2) This individual will bring balance to the Force
3) Something about the Prophecy makes the Jedi nervous

Later in The Phantom Menace:

MACE WINDU : He is too old. There is already too much anger in him.
QUI-GON : He is the chosen one... you must see it.
YODA : Clouded, this boy's future is. Masked by his youth.

The Council seems clearly against Anakin's training. Ironic that they would cite his youthfulness as masking his future, since the usual Jedi hopefuls are much younger.

And notice Qui-Gon assumes that proving that Anakin is the Chosen One would convince the Council that he must be trained. However, even though the Council does not deny this possibility, they still hesitate to train Anakin.

Still later:

QUI-GON : He is the chosen one...he will...bring balance...train him!

A re-instatement that the Chosen One will bring balance to the Force.

Still onward:

YODA : The Chosen One the boy may be; nevertheless, grave danger I fear in his training.

Is Yoda hoping to deter Obi-Wan from training Anakin, despite the admittance that he may be the Chosen One?

Alright, we made it through Episode I! Now, for Attack of the Clones. Only thing here is:

OBI-WAN: I am concerned for my Padawan. He is not ready to be on his own.
YODA: The Council is confident in this decision, Obi-Wan.
MACE: He has exceptional skills. The Council is confident in its decision, Obi-Wan. If the prophecy is true, he will be the one to bring balance to the Force.

This is super-important: Mace says if the Prophecy is true, then Anakin will bring balance to the Force. NOT if Anakin is the Chosen One, then he will bring balance to the Force.

You see, Mace does not seem to doubt that Anakin is the Chosen One; the doubt is expressed as to whether the Prophecy itself is true.

The Prophecy says:
1) An individual, the Chosen One, will be conceived by midichlorians
2) The Chosen One will bring balance to the Force
3) Something about the Prophecy makes the Jedi nervous
4) Anakin fits the description of the Chosen One
5) The Prophecy may or may not be true

That's it for Episode II. Now to Revenge of the Sith:

OBI-WAN: With all due respect, Master, is he not the Chosen One? Is he not to destroy the Sith and bring balance to the Force?
MACE: So the prophecy says.
YODA: A prophecy . . . that misread could have been.

Oh, great. So in other words, everything you thought you knew could be wrong.

Still, the Jedi are not denying that Anakin is the Chosen One. Also, they tie balancing the Force to destroying the Sith, which could be the cause of the Jedi's earlier nervousness regarding the appearance of the Chosen One.

The Prophecy says:
1) An individual, the Chosen One, will be conceived by midichlorians
2) The Chosen One will bring balance to the Force
3) Something about the Prophecy makes the Jedi nervous
4) Anakin fits the description of the Chosen One
5) The Prophecy may or may not be true
6) The Prophecy may or may not be interpreted correctly
7) The Prophecy says the Force will be balanced with the destruction of the Sith

And lastly:

OBI-WAN: You were the Chosen One! It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them. It was you who would bring balance to the Force, not leave it in Darkness.

Obi-Wan reaffirms that the Sith are to be destroyed and the Force balanced by the Chosen One.

So, organized, what we know of the Prophecy:

1) The Prophecy says an individual, the Chosen One, will be conceived by midichlorians
2) The Prophecy says the Chosen One will bring balance to the Force
3) The Prophecy says the Force will be balanced with the destruction of the Sith
4) Anakin fits the description of the Chosen One
5) Something about the Prophecy makes the Jedi nervous
6) The Prophecy may or may not be interpreted correctly
7) The Prophecy may or may not be true

As a footnote to this whole thing, Wookieepedia has an interesting page on the Sith'ari, apparently a prophesied being from the Knights of the Old Republic games.

http://blogs.starwars.com/kiaaron/14

Click here to hide comments for this entry

	Rando1138
date Posted: Mar 26, 2006 8:21 PM Now THIS is a blog. The kids running around here complaining about "no more movies" should read this in blogging class. Very well put together.

jkthunder
Seven Pieces

date Posted: Mar 26, 2006 8:29 PM

Hmm, I always took "vergence" as more of a splitting of ways, or a conflict. But I like that you looked it up, broke it down and ran with it.

The Jedi seem afraid of the Chosen One.

Im not seeing that at all, but that could have to do with my own perception of what the Jedi are, which is non-reacting, non-assuming and non-judgemental. They simply were not overreacting or getting excited at the prospect. Or perhaps they were contemplating the implications. I dont get fear or nervousness about this, but again - thats just me.

	Bai Ahzur Bai Ahzur's usless, but hopefully entertaining, yet somewhat eneventful, however rewarding, blog.
date Posted: Mar 26, 2006 8:37 PM I agree with jkthunder, the Jedi are contemplating. Plus; Jedi aren't supposed to fear. I just think that they had their doubts about training Anakin, especially since he already had emotional bonds with his mother. Just a thought. Nice Blog.

jkthunder
Seven Pieces

date Posted: Mar 26, 2006 8:41 PM

This is very nicely analyzed. A few other things that we may want to consider are that if the Jedi are doubting the prophecy, then they could also be doubting the chosen one at the same time, since the chosen on is part of the prophecy.

Another thing is that all we really know of the prophecy is what some of the characters have interpreted the prophecy as being, as well as thier own doubts about it. This could leave it that we really know nothing true of the prophecy, except that George Lucas has confirmed that Anakin is indeed the chosen one.

	Master Deireanach
date Posted: Mar 27, 2006 9:56 AM Good blog but I believe the word used in the film is "Virgance" not "vergence" it's simply a reference to Anakin's mother having concieved him without a father, like the virgin Mary.

	jkthunder Seven Pieces
date Posted: Mar 27, 2006 3:38 PM LOL - "Virgance" is not a word Master Deireanach - at least not in the English language.

LadyJedi09

date Posted: Mar 27, 2006 3:55 PM

Yes, THIS is a blog!
Very nicely analyzed and thought out. Have we ever read/seen the whole of this Jedi Prophecy?
George Lucas has confirmed that Anakin is indeed the chosen one. Yes, indeed he did. He said something along the lines of "Even when he's Darthj Vader, he's still the chosen one." and he is--he DOES destroy the Sith and that included himself. So, Qui-Gon was right: Anakin WAS the Chosen One--just not the way everybody expected him to be.

Master Ki-Aaron-Mundi
I was a Teenage Jedi

date Posted: Mar 27, 2006 4:47 PM

Now THIS is a blog
Yes, THIS is a blog!
Wow- thanks for the positive response!

They simply were not overreacting or getting excited at the prospect. Or perhaps they were contemplating the implications. I dont get fear or nervousness about this, but again - thats just me
I agree with jkthunder, the Jedi are contemplating. Plus; Jedi aren't supposed to fear
Well, I agree fear is probably too strong a word. However, in contemplating the implications, the Jedi seem more distured than pleased--in any case, there's none of the excitement that I think would be granted if the Chosen One were some sort of no-strings-attached savior.

Master Ki-Aaron-Mundi
I was a Teenage Jedi

date Posted: Mar 27, 2006 4:47 PM

This could leave it that we really know nothing true of the prophecy, except that George Lucas has confirmed that Anakin is indeed the chosen one
That, and that he balanced the Force by destroying the Sith (also said by GL).

I believe the word used in the film is "Virgance" not "vergence"
Well, "vergence" is what appeared in the script. And while I agree it could be a spelling error (GL puts "prophesy" instead of "prophecy), as jk pointed out, "virgance" doesn't appear in the dictionary.

StellaBlu
Obi-Wan's little friend

date Posted: Mar 27, 2006 5:10 PM

I really enjoyed this blog!!
Though many of you (including GL) believe Anakin to be the chosen one, I personally think that Luke is the chosen one. The chosen one would be a person of compassion, intelligence and spirit. Anakin was a brat, selfish and wanted everthing his way. He killed many jedi (including the children), and god knows how many people he killed before Luke turned him back to the light. The chosen one would not turn to the dark side, even if he is tempted to do so. If Qui-Gon could see Anakin's future in a crystal ball, he would have realized that it was his son Luke that would bring balance to the force. Anyway, that's what I think.

Medical Droid (mrp-7)

date Posted: Mar 27, 2006 7:38 PM

Could one infer that, based on the 1975 manuscript, that the 'savior' would be the main hero of A New Hope? In that case would that not speak of Luke?

No one states exactly what the prophesy directly says, or where it is written---everyone simply makes comments and interpretations. Further, in ROTS, Yoda himself says the Jedi may have misinterpreted the prophesy.

What if concieved by the midi-chlorians was to be interpreted as Luke being concieved by the love Anakin had for Padme. What if Masters Yoda, Windu, and Kenobi all assumed that balance to the force would be to destroy the Sith---but in reality meant reforming the Jedi way?"

Just thoughts.

	DarthDerekT
date Posted: Mar 28, 2006 7:29 AM Very interesting Blog. I wish all blogs were this well thought out. One thing is that when Mace tells Qui-Gon to bring the boy before the council, he almost looks bored, like it would be a waste of time, but as a council member I have to say it. Mace is my least favorite Jedi so I look out for his faults. You are up there in the big leagues with this blog.

	rennygregory
date Posted: Mar 28, 2006 9:02 AM i think they should make episodes 7,8,9 because it's a good story i think they will.... theres money to be made and that exactly what star wars is about to GL, not telling a story, not being kind and expressing his ideas or any other fan bull... it's about money making money you think GL would give all the money he earned for the movies? WRONG

:[ShadowHunter:[

date Posted: Mar 28, 2006 12:19 PM

This is a highly interesting blog, really one of the greats. The idea that Luke is the chosen one not Anakin is a little far fetched. Under either interpretation of that prophecy extract Luke doesnt fit it. 1 - He's not 'born of the galaxy', he was parented by Anakin and Padme. 2 - He wasnt born on Tatooine, he was born on an asteroid, he was merely raised on Tatooine. Anakin fits BOTH interpretations of this. Also it wasnt Luke that destroyed the Sith, it was Anakin. The prophesy said he would bring balance to the force but it didnt say what it would cost or what would happen before then.

anakinside1
Echoes from the Asteroid Field

date Posted: Mar 28, 2006 12:47 PM

I think you're right that it is suspicious that in TPM the council is so hesitant to test Anakin and train him. If the force needs to be brought into balance, that would mean that it somehow got out of balance under the watch of the Jedi Council. I think the Council can't see their weaknesses and doesn't want to admit to them, and I think that that comes out in all of their dealings with Anakin. So, I think you're absolutely right that something in the Prophecy makes the Jedi nervous and even afraid. The Chosen One's very appearance in their lives means that something is out of whack. Their first response is to try to push him away.

Medical Droid (mrp-7)

date Posted: Mar 28, 2006 4:51 PM

ShadowHunter:

I'm sorry, where in the movies do they say the chosen one would be "born of the galaxy"---And You can not be sure Anakin was BORN on Tatooine as well. Therefore, Anakin may not fit the description you give, either. One could ceratinly argue that Luke destroyed the Sith, since his turning Vader back to the good side ultimately did in the Emperor.

I will agree the therory of Luke being the chosen one is far-fetched, but it cannot be completely ruled out. Your arguments above included.

LadyJedi09

date Posted: Mar 28, 2006 5:37 PM

I personally think that Luke is the chosen one. but Luke didnt destroy the Sith and thats the key. he may have had influence in destroying the Sith (ie, Anakin is reawakened in Vader while Sidious is torturing Luke, Anakin's son), but physically he does not destroy the Sith, as Anakin did.
when Mace tells Qui-Gon to bring the boy before the council, he almost looks bored, Yeah, he does. that always kind of annoyed me. I love Mace, but show some life, will ya?
I'm sorry, where in the movies do they say the chosen one would be "born of the galaxy it wasnt in the movies; Ki-Aaron-Mundi said it up there^ in the blog and he gives adequate interpretations as to why he says that, too.

anakinside1
Echoes from the Asteroid Field

date Posted: Mar 28, 2006 6:08 PM

I've been thinking about the core of the prophecy; the title the "Chosen One". Who or what is doing the choosing? Is it the Force, or is it people interpreting events and shaping them in their minds in the particular way that suits their beliefs? I thought that the Force was more impersonal than such direct intervention in human lives. However, Obi-Wan said the Force also obeys the commands of people. Was it then human influence on the Force that caused Anakin to be born? I guess my question is does the Force act independently to shape events in the galaxy? Is the Force somehow invested in the outcome? These are very new thoughts any comments would be welcome.

Master Ki-Aaron-Mundi
I was a Teenage Jedi

date Posted: Mar 28, 2006 9:12 PM

Thanks again for all the positive feedback!

The chosen one would be a person of compassion, intelligence and spirit
I think this is a societal and religiously philosophical failing of us; we expect the Chosen One, because he is a Saviour Being, to be a good person. But to my understanding, no where in the Prophecy is any such idea stated.

What if concieved by the midi-chlorians was to be interpreted as Luke being concieved by the love Anakin had for Padme
The big thing is, it was the lack of a parent that let the Council know what Qui-Gon was talking about. Not saying their interpretation was correct, but it was the standing interpretation.

	Master Ki-Aaron-Mundi I was a Teenage Jedi
date Posted: Mar 28, 2006 9:15 PM The Chosen One's very appearance in their lives means that something is out of whack Or so going to be; in either case, the Chosen One is a blatant reminder that they're doing something wrong, or haven't been able to fix something on their own.

Master Ki-Aaron-Mundi
I was a Teenage Jedi

date Posted: Mar 28, 2006 9:15 PM

Could one infer that... the 'savior' would be the main hero of A New Hope? In that case would that not speak of Luke?
I'm sorry, where in the movies do they say the chosen one would be "born of the galaxy"
Ki-Aaron-Mundi said it up there^ in the blog and he gives adequate interpretations as to why he says that, too
I'd like to point out that this bit from the Journal of the Whills does not necessarily have anything to do with the Prophecy of the Chosen One. I wouldn't see it as an item of major debate; it can either be accepted or discounted based on your interpretation of the Prophecy, followed by your interpretation of the verse, and whether you think it has any relation to the Prophecy.

Master Ki-Aaron-Mundi
I was a Teenage Jedi

date Posted: Mar 28, 2006 9:15 PM

I've been thinking about the core of the prophecy; the title the "Chosen One"
I've always interpreted it as "The One Chosen by the Force." Qui-Gon often refers to the Will of the Force, indicating it has a conscious will, and thus can influence the galaxy as it sees fit.
Human (or terrestrial) influence could have caused the creation of the Chosen One, IMO, but to the extent that it was terrestrial beings who caused the Force to be imbalanced, creating the need for a Chosen One. (If you're hinting at the Sith's possible creation of Anakin, you can read my thoughts here.

	anakinside1 Echoes from the Asteroid Field
date Posted: Mar 29, 2006 10:29 AM I think I was wondering less about the Sith's possible creation of Anakin, than just letting my mind wander through the possibilities. Thanks for the reminder of Qui-Gon's reference to the "Will of the Force"

	Tyranus2005 Tyranus Rumblings
date Posted: Mar 29, 2006 10:36 AM Very well written, well thought out. If I was grading, this is A + material and the kind that I enjoy discussing! Great job!

	legodooku
date Posted: Mar 29, 2006 1:59 PM This is avery detailed and well-presented Blog. I agree with this view of the porphecy.

	DarthDerekT
date Posted: Mar 30, 2006 2:51 AM About Luke/Anakin debate.... perhaps the prophesy was talking about both of them. Afterall no one really knew what the prophesy was about and who made the prophesy in the first place?

	bonniegrrl Droids Just Wanna Have Fun
date Posted: May 02, 2006 10:57 AM Most impressive blog entry! You really got me thinking! Please keep posting great thoughts like this!

DJ Maul: Got Feet?
DJ Maul's Dancin' Cantina Party

date Posted: May 02, 2006 2:31 PM

Excellent thoughts, and well organized facts.

I suppose without knowing who MADE the prophesy, WHEN it was made, and HOW it was passed down, it is next to impossible to know for SURE exactly WHAT the prophesy WAS.

It would be like trying to interpret a Bible prophesy without actually having a BIBLE.

Without ALL the facts, there is no RIGHT or WRONG answers here, just conjecture, but based on GOD's interpretation (IE George Lucas) is IS fact that Anakin IS "The Chosen One" and did bring "balance to The Force," it was HOW that "balance" was to be achieved that The Jedi "misinterpreted."

my opinion anyway.

again great blog.

	starwarsonfire Darth Methias and Darth Mikias
date Posted: May 02, 2006 4:27 PM but did he not bring balance to the force? for at the end of his life, there was no more sith. the only sith was sith spirits so, he did bring balance to the force, not only asssst in destroying a corupt govn't. so i think he fuffiled the proficy well.

	starwarsonfire Darth Methias and Darth Mikias
date Posted: May 02, 2006 4:28 PM awesome blog and sorry if i coppied what someone else said

	Qui-Gon-Joel Hearing the Midi-Chlorians
date Posted: May 02, 2006 5:20 PM An amazing entry! I've thought about just how credible the propehcy was for a long time, and it was a joy to see it laid out so meticulously and with care! It's a great little rubric to the ultimate, well close to ultimate (darned midi chlorians..), Star Wars puzzle. Great Blog! I eagerly await another entry!

	Bravo 225 "Nice Skirt, Hand Washable?" - "Its a Kama!"
date Posted: May 02, 2006 5:26 PM Amazing blog! That was an incredible compilation! You deserve the blog-of-the-day by a long-run!!! I eagerly await another entry! As do I!

Master Ki-Aaron-Mundi
I was a Teenage Jedi

date Posted: May 02, 2006 8:04 PM

Wow! Thanks for the kind words, all.

I'll make the comment that, with the upcoming Legacy comic series, which I understand to contain a new Sith Order, we've thrown another wrench into the mix. Now it might be contestable as to what exactly fulfilling the Prophecy means, and how The Chosen One in fact brought balance to the Force.

Something else to think about.

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