MovieChat Forums > Return of the Jedi (1983) Discussion > Why was Vader forgiven so easily?

Why was Vader forgiven so easily?

posted 9 years ago by charlesadams1
8 replies | jump to latest

Doesn't it seem odd that Darth Vader murdered (or ordered the deaths) of billions of people throughout the Empire but he dies and suddenly he's embraced by everyone?

Wonder if Hitler's ghost was welcomed so warmly after he passed?

Or was it that Vader was "forced" to commit all those atrocities at the hand of the Emperor and he (Anakin) was really an unwilling "hostage" inside that suit? Surely he could have found a way to end his life rather than be used that way?

[–] GuyOnTheLeft 9 years ago

I think you have exaggerated his death count, but this was exactly what bothered my dad and me when we came out of this movie. Once you cross the lines that Darth Vader did, you can never be a good guy.

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[–] Darthmauler_megaa 9 years ago

Would you rather Vader just say, "Oh well, I'm a bad guy. Nothing I can do. Sorry, son!" Not very helpful.

Redemption has been a part of storytelling since the dawn of time. You have to look at it as good conquering over evil.

"Whoever he is, this 'Torch' is dangerous...He has a sense of humor."

[–] GuyOnTheLeft 9 years ago

I think there are some points at which you have crossed a line and you can't come back. If Hitler had undergone some kind of conversion in 1943, ordered a stop to the war, and surrendered to the Allies while apologizing profusely, he still would have been tried for war crimes and found guilty--and he would have deserved it.

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[–] Darthmauler_megaa 9 years ago

True, and Anakin refuses to let Luke try and save his life. He willingly allows his own death.

"Whoever he is, this 'Torch' is dangerous...He has a sense of humor."

[–] GuyOnTheLeft 9 years ago

Which might seem like a sacrifice if it didn't lead to him just hanging out, chillaxin', with Yoda and Obi-wan at the end of the movie...kind of smiling and waving at Luke et al like "hey buds, it's all good here, rock on". 😎

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[–] Darthmauler_megaa 9 years ago

I don't see the ending with the ghosts as a frivolous moment. More like a vindication that Yoda and Luke were right--the good side is stronger, even against Darth Vader.

The Force seeks to bind things together, not tear them apart. Anakin died in service to the good side, the Force wouldn't just abandon him after that. To wish eternal suffering on him would be like giving into hatred (and hence, the dark side).

"Whoever he is, this 'Torch' is dangerous...He has a sense of humor."

[–] WeirdRaptor 9 years ago

You hit the nail right on, ClearWintryDay. Forgiveness is a much stronger force than hatred.

"All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you." -Gandalf

[–] CathodeRayTubesRock 9 years ago

I agree to a point. But was he "embraced by everyone"? I think Luke, his son, is the only one that embraced him. And Annakin died before Luke could have any sort of serious conversation with him (why the beep did you ever switch over to the Emperor's side anyway, that was stupid).

If Vader/Annie had lived he should have had to face serious war criminal charges. Sorry, there's no forgiving or forgetting a lot of that stuff Vader did, for example killing all the younglings in the Jedi temple. Uh, no, sorry, you didn't have to do that.

I, personally, do not see him as any sort of hero. He was a beeped up individual who could've easily helped Mace Windu kill Palpatine in EpIII and avoid the entire "empire".

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