Reflection on the Character of Luke Skywalker Essay Example for Free

Reflection on the Character of Luke Skywalker Essay Luke Skywalkers character is a classic example of mans constant battle of good and evil—not to be simply put as the battle of the good versus the evil—but the choice to be good or evil. He outwardly struggles to find his place and role in the society even as he struggles inwardly to understand his own nature. As Yoda and Obi-Wan explained to him, Luke must confront and go beyond the dark side to be a Jedi. He is confronted with facing Darth Vader, who he has just learned to be Anakin Skywalker—his father, and in whom Luke believes still has good in him and who he says he could not kill. He was also confronted with troubles that has shaped him into the peson he chose to be. Vader has been a Jedi once, turned to the dark side of the Force because he could not accept the death of his loved ones—first of his mother, then of his intuition that had foretold the death of his wife, Amidala. During their fight, he tried to convince his son that turning to the dark side was the only way Luke could save his friends. Luke was like his father, reckless in his actions and impatient in his youth. But as he matured, he learned the true path of the Force, with the guidance of Yoda and Obi-Wan. Like his father before him, he, too, was troubled with death and suffering. Yoda, sensing death coming to him, explains to Luke: â€Å"Strong am I with the Force, but not that strong. Twilight is upon me and soon night must fall. That is the way of things, the way of the Force.† Inevitably at Endor, Luke has come to confront his father, not with the intention of fighting him as before, but to convince him to turn back to the good side. His attempts turns out to be futile. He further exhibits his maturity from being reckless and impatient by restraining himself when given the chance to strike at the Emperor. However, the Emperor seduces Lukes hatred and anger to attack him. Luke is tormented but still restrains himself until finally his rage erupted and attacked the Emperor. Darth Vader responded in defense of his master and Luke ends up fighting with his father. Luke realized that the Emperor was using his rage to turn him to the dark side of the Force. He has defeated Vader, not out of some personal, revenge-driven desire, but in order to protect someone he loves—Vader has treathened Lukes newly found twin sister Leia. As he looked down on his father with pity and understanding, he realized that he, too, has the potential to turn to the dark side. He threw away his lightsaber in his firm belief that he could still save his fathers soul and save himself from the path of the dark side by not killing Vader. By doing so, he has rejected evil in himself and submits himself to the will of the Force. As Yoda explained to him: â€Å"A jedis strenght flows from the Force. But beware. Anger, fear, agression, the dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path forever will it dominate your destiny.† He has faced his own fears and defeated them, evidenced by his reply to the Emperors offer to take his fathers place at his side: â€Å"Never. Ill never turn to the dark side I am a Jedi, like my father before me.† He has set an example that evil does not come naturally from the troubles that we are faced with, and that being good or evil is a matter of choice.