Essay On Anakin's Return Of The Jedi Code

A little over two decades after his fall to the Dark Side, Anakin (as Darth Vader) eventually returns to the Light Side of the Force. I argue that his acceptance of Stoic values near the conclusion of Return of the Jedi allows him to redeem himself.
Throughout the prequel trilogies, Anakin does show some hints of Stoic values, even though he consistently fails to uphold them and refuses to follow the Jedi Code. After he executes Count Dooku, he comments to Palpatine that he should not have killed him as it was against the Jedi way (Attack of the Clones). Anakin at least demonstrates an ability to adhere to the Code that he swore to uphold and a consciousness of his rule-breaking, which foreshadows his ability to convert later in his life.
Anakin primarily demonstrates his acceptance of the Jedi Code through his acceptance of his own death. Though Luke insists that he …show more content…
Saving his son shows his attachment and therefore the presence of emotion. While I agree that Darth Vader is attached to his son, I disagree that it disqualifies him from accepting the Code. Just as the relationship between master and padawan is considered acceptable among the Jedi Code, the relationship between father and son demonstrated between Darth Vader and Luke is mild enough to be considered acceptable. In fact, I declare that Luke is the one who does not uphold the tenets of Stoicism and the Code in this scene—he protests Anakin’s death, showing the same refusal towards his loved ones dying as Anakin showed in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Anakin does not show the unacceptable amount of attachment as Luke allows himself to show, simply glad to connect with his son once before he is gone. Darth Vader does what he believes is right in that moment, which happens to be striking down Palpatine in order to save his