Return of the Jedi was the long awaited Star Wars sequel of the 1980s. The movie was strongly anticipated because it was a Star Wars film as well as the previous film leaving a few unanswered questions. Actually, the producers changed the title “Revenge of the Jedi” to Return of the Jedi (1983, USA) because revenge is not a Jedi concept, in the film series Star Wars. Jedi’s are guardians of peace and justice. They do not use their powers to attack.

This post is about weakness, which is a plot line in Return of the Jedi that goes in the opposite direction of retribution or attack.  Though it seems that if you are weak, you are going to be on the losing side.

Wouldn’t Luke Skywalker go in there with all guns blazing? Maybe he wouldn’t. It seems this peaceable young man would have to get very angry to do away with his nemesis Darth Vader. Instead, Luke approaches Vader with the intentions of submissively saving him.

Radical. It will take a certain amount of courage. His friend and mentor encourages him, “You must face Darth Vader again”. Then, only then, a Jedi will he be.

But saving him? Wouldn’t he get killed? If saving someone is weakness, it seems weakness wouldn’t win the day. Wouldn’t any warrior just laugh at him? Darth Vader is a frightening prospect, the stuff of nightmares. His black suit and armor and his faceless, depersonalized mask are a horror to behold. He can dispense with generals in his army with a touch and can strike fear into their hearts with just a word.

When Luke himself is getting thrashed by the powers of darkness, there seems no way out. Luke saving someone appears useless as the evil powers unleash their force on him. Darth Vader watches on as his mentor and master thrashes Luke with bolts of evil power.

Vader seems strong behind that armor of his, but this mechanized man was dealt a blow himself. As Vader is recovering, but almost at his last, he shows compassion, to his dying son, Luke. Darth Vader’s compassion has been hidden behind his mask, but when he is weak, he shows the soft, compassionate side to him.

Compassion seems weak, but in Return of the Jedi, it changes everything. It’s just that we are so accustomed to equating strength with fighting that is supposed to level things up, but dropping a matter before it gets out of hand is wise.