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Padme's Legacy

by: padmeskywalker77

date posted: Jul 31, 2006 11:25 AM

Anakin and Luke Skywalker--Heros of Their Time

This entry is dedicated to the *HEROS* of the SW saga...Anakin and Luke Skywalker. In a way, I guess you could say "like Father like Son" in this respect. They were both considered to be the heros of their time...Anakin during the time of the Old Republic, and Luke during the time of the Empire and beyond. They shared the desire not only to help others in need, but also to save them.

Anakin Skywalker, the Chosen One and the Hero Without Fear

As we all know, Anakin was considered the "Chosen One," brought forth to bring balance to the Force in a time of need. He was discovered at the age of nine by Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn. Qui-Gon helped to free Anakin from a life of slavery and took him to the Jedi Council, requesting that he be trained as a Jedi. There was much discussion among the members of the Council on whether Anakin would be trained...in the end, it was decided that Obi-Wan Kenobi would train Anakin. During the Clone Wars, Anakin went from being a Jedi Padawan to a Jedi Knight, fighting side by side with his mentor Obi-Wan. Throughout the Galaxy, Anakin became known as the *Hero Without Fear* for his "courageous" acts in battles against the Separatists. However, at the close of the Clone Wars, Anakin's personal fears got the better him, and he turned to the Dark Side, becoming Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith.

Over twenty years later, when his son appeared in his life, Anakin was able to fulfill the Prophecy that was his destiny from the day he was born. In doing so, he destroyed the Sith and once again brought balance to the Force.

Throughout his life, Anakin wanted to save those closest to him...from his mother, Shmi, to his wife Padme', even to his son, Luke. When he could not save the two women most important to him, he saw no hope, and lived his life in "isolation" as a Sith Lord. It took the one act of love displayed by his son to save him from himself...something nobody could do years before no matter how hard they tried.

Luke Skywalker, the Son of Anakin and a Hero in His Own Right

As we all know, Luke was called "The Son of Skywalker" by Palpatine in ESB. However, Luke knew little of his father, as he was raised on Tatooine by his Aunt and Uncle, Anakin's step-brother and his wife. What Luke "knew" of his father was that he was a pilot on a spice freighter and that he had died. Little did he know that his father was Anakin Skywalker, the "Chosen One," Jedi Knight turned Sith, and the most feared man in the galaxy. Luke inherited Anakin's Force abilities...abilities Luke probably could not explain until he met Ben "Obi-Wan" Kenobi. After much persuasion by Obi-Wan and following the death of his aunt and uncle, Luke decided to accompany "old Ben" on his way to Alderran and to learn the ways of the Force, to become a Jedi, *like my father.* Luke instantly became a hero with the Rebel Alliance by helping to rescue Leia and by destroying the Death Star. Once he learned the truth about his father, he took it upon himself to save him...to bring him back to the Light Side. He was willing to give his life to save Anakin, he knew there was still good in him just as Padme' did before she died (that is another entry).

During the few years of his training, Luke became a powerful leader in the Rebel Alliance and became a powerful Jedi Knight...things I am sure would make both Padme' and Anakin proud. He was faced with not knowing anything about his parents, his family, his place in the galaxy. Then, one day, his world was turned upside down, and he learned the truth about his father (not so much about his mother), his sister, his place in the galaxy. He was given the task of forming a New Jedi Order without really any guidance from the Old Order and with trying to help maintain peace in the galaxy (I have not read any EU regarding Luke and the events after ROTJ, so I am going on what I have read in others' blogs with this).

To me, both Anakin and Luke were heros...they both accomplished what they were sent to do, however round about that may have been. Now...who would you say was the hero--Anakin or Luke or both? Thoughts...anyone?

May The Force Be With You

http://blogs.starwars.com/padme-skywalker77/21

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	Qui-Tom Servo loves Padme You Must Unlearn What You Have Learned
date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 11:36 AM In the end, Luke was the real hero of the two. Anakin forfeited so much when he became a fallen hero. While Luke knows much of tragedy and loss, he never let those things consume him unlike his father. The real question becomes what would Luke have done had he not learned from his father's decisions.

viagoangel2
Were Anakin and Padme' really one?

date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 11:43 AM

The two made the prophecy ring true, so I would say both are heroic and should be known as HEROS. In order to restore balance both were needed. Luke brought out the True chosen one, anakin Skywalker through his compassion. As the prophecy said: " the chosen one will bring balance " No where did it say he had to be a JEDI....Luke was a jedi. So upon the emergence of Anakin, he was no longer the Sith Lord known as Vader.
He was just Anakin Skywalker the *CHOSEN ONE* fulfilling his destiny and becoming one with his creator, the FORCE.....ANGEL Wonderful Entry darling

	jedilily1026 Years Matter Not (Gone Crazy...Be Back Soon)
date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 11:58 AM They both are heroes for me but Anakin is a double hero. 1. He was the Chosen One & like you said he eventually brought balance to the force/galaxy and 2. Because he fathered Luke, who was instrumental in getting Anakin back on track.

	amidalooine The Emotional Galaxy
date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 12:01 PM They're both heroes...one couldn't be considered a hero in the end without the other, yet both did heroic things before the other became a factor. BOTH heroes (but I'm still partial to Anakin!). Good one, ps77!

padmeskywalker77
Padme's Legacy

date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 12:04 PM

The real question becomes what would Luke have done had he not learned from his father's decisions.

That is a great question Qui-Tom!! It is very difficult to say...maybe he would have "struck down" his father or the Emperor to become a Sith...maybe he would have remembered what Yoda and Obi-Wan had said and he would not have turned. I believe that much of Luke's resilience stemmed from experiences on Tatooine and not having lived in the Jedi Temple during his training. Also, by the time Luke was trained, Yoda had had time to think about what had happened at the time of the fall of the Jedi and may have changed his way of thinking. Hmmm...much to ponder here

	Qui-Tom Servo loves Padme You Must Unlearn What You Have Learned
date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 12:05 PM I think my earlier post sounded too harsh on Anakin. He was a hero because he turned back to the light, but I think Luke was more heroic because he stayed true to his beliefs and in so doing brought about what he wanted most. It was Anakin's betrayal that caused the very thing he was trying to stop.

padmeskywalker77
Padme's Legacy

date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 12:11 PM

In order to restore balance both were needed

Wonderful statement angel!! I agree...both Anakin and Luke were needed for the Prophecy to be fulfilled. Luke's act of undying love for his father helped to bring Anakin forth to once and for all destroy what he hated most about himself...the evil Vader.

Wonderful Entry darling

Why thank you, darling

Anakin is a double hero...and 2. Because he fathered Luke, who was instrumental in getting Anakin back on track.

Another great point, jedilily!! Anakin fathered Luke, his savior, and had no idea what this meant until the end. Luke brought Anakin back from the Dark, thereby allowing the events we know that happened to occur. Thanks

	hansgirl3 Invoking the Squee
date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 12:13 PM Interesting question... It bothers me that Anakin allowed himself to fall from grace, but he certainly was a hero before that. Luke did stay true and was a steadfast hero throughout his entire life. Both were heroes, but if I had to choose, I would choose Luke. Excellent entry, PS77!

padmeskywalker77
Padme's Legacy

date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 12:15 PM

one couldn't be considered a hero in the end without the other, yet both did heroic things before the other became a factor.

Thanks ami

. I agree...although both were "heros" before the other was factored in, they needed each other to truly become heros. I'm also still partial to Anakin, but Luke has started to "grow" on me

I think my earlier post sounded too harsh on Anakin

I don't think you were too harsh on Anakin...his betrayal is what brought on the pain and suffering he endured all those years. Luke did stay true to his own beliefs. If Anakin would have done that, things surely would have been different

padmeskywalker77
Padme's Legacy

date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 12:20 PM

It bothers me that Anakin allowed himself to fall from grace

Me too, HG3. He had so much potential, but his uncertainty and fears allowed him to fall from grace and become the evil he had sworn to destroy. He was a hero before his fall

Both were heroes, but if I had to choose, I would choose Luke.

Choosing can be a difficult thing, but they were heros in their own way. I can see where people would choose Luke...he was true and steadfast to his beliefs throughout his life.

	Jedi Arwen Skywalker
date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 12:32 PM Anakin was heroic, but Luke was an all around hero. Like this blog.

	littleluke59 Wormie's Corner
date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 12:32 PM They were both heroes, I think. They both cared for others, they both had compassion, andd they both were good people. They tried to do the right thing for the galaxy, and that is what makes them heroes, I think. Anakin did some great things, and so did Luke, but still.......Luke will always be my hero! LL

padmeskywalker77
Padme's Legacy

date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 12:41 PM

Anakin was heroic, but Luke was an all around hero

Good point, Jedi Arwen Skywalker

They tried to do the right thing for the galaxy, and that is what makes them heroes,

Yes they did...but in different ways. What Anakin thought was right led to his fall, while what Luke thought was right led to him saving his father and to both father and son saving the galaxy.

Jedi Master Mina
Another Galaxy, another time

date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 1:51 PM

Both were heroes, but if I had to choose, I would choose Luke.

I have to agree with Hansgirl on this one. I love both, but Luke is my favorite hero. Simply because he stays the course and true to his nature. I think what makes folks shy away from Anakin as the hero is the fact that his fall from grace was bitter and long. We the viewers see more of Vader then Anakin and the evil things that come out of Vader. With this in mind, makes it hard for some folks to give credit to Anakin as a hero.

Great entry...Thanks for blogging on two of my favorite characters!

padmeskywalker77
Padme's Legacy

date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 2:22 PM

I think what makes folks shy away from Anakin as the hero is the fact that his fall from grace was bitter and long.

I see your point, Mina. We do see an awful lot more of Vader than Anakin and the evil deeds committed by Vader. Luke, on the other hand, did not display the "evil tendencies" of his father (for the most part) and was able to step back from the edge so to say.

Thanks for blogging on two of my favorite characters

Not a problem, Mina

I started thinking about this last night, and just decided to "go with it" today.

anakinside1
Echoes from the Asteroid Field

date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 3:15 PM

It bothers me that Anakin allowed himself to fall from grace

It bothers me too, and in a real world situation I wouldn't care for him at all, but in a an imagined one his fall and redemption gives him so many intriguing layers. His darkness becomes less evil and more like an endless depth to be mined. I just love it. You know how they say that there is more rejoicing in heaven when a sinner repents..... In this case that idea would refer to Anakin. And there is a reason for such rejoicing because to pick yourself up after a monumental failure takes heroic strength. However, I agree they are both heroic for different reasons. Luke because he kept his focus, and Anakin because he regained his soul. Nice one!

amidalooine
The Emotional Galaxy

date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 3:26 PM

It bothers me too, and in a real world situation I wouldn't care for him at all, but in a an imagined one his fall and redemption gives him so many intriguing layers. His darkness becomes less evil and more like an endless depth to be mined. I just love it.

SOOOOOOOOO well put, as1, and that might be why I like Anakin so much better than Luke. Luke doesn't have nearly the depth of character that Anakin does. His heroics mean the most to me as they pertain to his father, his Skywalker-ness, his parents.

I mean, isn't this part of why the saga is considered Anakin's story, not Luke's?

MomOf2YoungPadawan
Mamadala's Lair

date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 3:30 PM

Fantabulicious blog entry, milady!!!

Whew - this is a tough one, indeed. As much as I loooooooove Anakin, in the end I think Luke was the TRUE hero of the two. Here's why:

Although Luke was tempted by the dark side, he always did the "right thing" and got himself back on track.

No matter what, Luke's actions were totally selfless, as a true Jedi should be. Anakin, on the other hand, tried to be selfless, but always seemed to act on his own desires and needs.

I still have nothing but love for Ani, of course !

Since this is so befitting, I will rip this link from one of Mina's recent entries....in case someone hasn't yet seen it. Enjoy!

padmeskywalker77
Padme's Legacy

date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 5:12 PM

to pick yourself up after a monumental failure takes heroic strength.

It sure does...maybe that's why Anakin resonates with me so much as a hero. Also, the depth of his character adds to the mystery, the intrigue.

However, I agree they are both heroic for different reasons. Luke because he kept his focus, and Anakin because he regained his soul.

That's a great way to put it, AS1

. Luke was more focused with what he had to do and was able to pull himself back without falling too hard, while Anakin, although he fell and fell hard, was able to pull himself back from the depths of the darkness to do what was right.

padmeskywalker77
Padme's Legacy

date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 5:16 PM

No matter what, Luke's actions were totally selfless, as a true Jedi should be. Anakin, on the other hand, tried to be selfless, but always seemed to act on his own desires and needs

Good point there mamalicious

. Although Anakin tried to act selfless, he did always put his own wishes/desires/needs above those of others. However, in the end, he did that one selfless act that saved his son...so, I guess that is why I lean more toward Anakin than Luke...but Luke is a very close second.

Since this is so befitting, I will rip this link from one of Mina's recent entries

Now how did I know this would show up here somewhere?

Thanks...I can never see it enough.

viagoangel2
Were Anakin and Padme' really one?

date Posted: Jul 31, 2006 8:08 PM

BUT ALWAYS SEEMED TO ACT ON HIS OWN DESIRES AND NEEDS....
Hmmm...Not so sure it was his DESIRES AND NEEDS. I see it as more spontaneous or haste, much like Qui-Gon. Anakin was always quick to act, he longed to be in motion never slowing. Slowing and taking time gave him too much TIME to think of those things or person(s) he so desired or needed. The more he moved or kept active in his missions the less he would think of his personal feelings. So being on the front lines kept him selfless, once placed with Palps to watchover his dealings he was motionless and able to ponder his own needs and desires. Which is the very thing Palps fed on.
Luke was never placed in such a position, would he have done the same if he were?

	MomOf2YoungPadawan Mamadala's Lair
date Posted: Aug 01, 2006 9:12 AM I see it as more spontaneous or haste, much like Qui-Gon Hmmm...great point, angel!! In my sponanaeity and haste I failed to consider this....THANKS, BABE

	padmeskywalker77 Padme's Legacy
date Posted: Aug 01, 2006 10:25 AM I see it as more spontaneous or haste, much like Qui-Gon. Anakin was always quick to act, he longed to be in motion never slowing Yes angel, great point. Anakin was always in motion...and, as you said, when he stopped, he had time to be with his thoughts...time he did not particularly care for.

padmeskywalker77
Padme's Legacy

date Posted: Aug 01, 2006 10:25 AM

Luke was never placed in such a position, would he have done the same if he were?

Ooooo...another good point. Yes, Vader tried to tempt Luke to joing the Dark Side and Palpatine also tried with his "coaxing" on the DS2. However, unlike his father, Luke was not placed in a position where the Jedi did not trust him and his one "friend" outside the order boosted his ego every time he had and also placing doubts in his head. Now, if Luke was placed in a similar position as was Anakin, he just may have very well done a similar thing...but who knows, right.

	jedilily1026 Years Matter Not (Gone Crazy...Be Back Soon)
date Posted: Aug 01, 2006 12:36 PM PS77 I edited my blog to show your blog you correctly. I'm sooooo sorry. Got mixed up their. I don't know where to hide. Sorry again. Forgive me.

	padmeskywalker77 Padme's Legacy
date Posted: Aug 01, 2006 3:18 PM I don't know where to hide. Sorry again. Forgive me. You were forgiven before I even mentioned it . Mistakes do happen, especially when there are several entries on the same thing. No need to hide.

	JediPug1 Like My Father Before Me
date Posted: Aug 03, 2006 11:29 AM I'm with Mina on this one.... Luke is the greater hero. He was the one that never strayed from his path, never let temptation get the better of him. He could always be counted on to act selflessly. I love Anakin dearly, but he was definitely a hero with lot's of fear, and it was his undoing. Nice blog!

	miniforcex The Star Wars Fan Wears Pink
date Posted: Aug 05, 2006 8:50 AM Luke is the greater hero, because he brought his father back and didn't turn to the dark side, even though it was really hard... But Anakin, he is a hero too because what he has done to the clone wars. It just depends on the way you look at it. Thanks for adding me to your blog roll, PS77! No one has, yet. MINIFORCE

padmeskywalker77
Padme's Legacy

date Posted: Aug 06, 2006 5:02 PM

I love Anakin dearly, but he was definitely a hero with lot's of fear, and it was his undoing.

You know, that is very ironic...Anakin was called the *Hero With No Fear* when, in fact, he had quite a bit of fear in him. If he had not let his fears get the best of him, would he have stayed true to himself?

Hmmm...difficult to answer.

It just depends on the way you look at it.

Great way to put it, MFX. As I said in the title...they were the heros of their time. Therefore, you almost need to look at it as the hero of the PT and the hero of the OT.

JediMelindaWolf
Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try.

date Posted: Aug 11, 2006 6:19 AM

Anakin was a hero, but I'd have to say that, in the end, Luke was the true hero.

The dividing line was Anakin committed a horrendous act (killing Mace) - not to save the galaxy, but rather out of selfishness - he (Anakin) was afraid of being alone (losing Padme). If Padme knew what Anakin had done, what his actions had caused the galaxy, she would have sacrificed herself. She was that kind of individual.

That was the kind of individual Luke was, and that is what makes him the ultimate hero. He was not willing to sacrifice his personal honor, that which he believed in - even if it meant his death. Luke's actions at the end of ROTJ showed DV what and who he should have been, what he truly was.

Great blog! MTFBWY

	Fish1941
date Posted: Aug 22, 2006 4:40 PM Both Anakin and Luke were true heroes . . . in their own ways. I don't demand that Anakin behave properly. In fact, Luke came dangerously close to giving in to his darker side on several occasions. But both managed to overcome their demons and teach Palpatine about the power of true love.

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