Downfall of the Prequel Jedi Order: A Classic Star Wars Legend Quote
Considered as a well-intentioned but imperfect organization, the Jedi Order as portrayed in the Star Wars prequel trilogy is sometimes They are seen as growing lazy, too constrictive, and alien from the people of the Galactic Republic. Sadly, this gap was a major factor in their demise since it made them susceptible to the emergence of Darth Sidious and the following Clone Wars.
Isolation of Jedi Order: Root of the Issue
In Roger MacBride Allen's 1995 Star Wars Legends book Ambush at Corellia, a pivotal event emphasizes the perils of the Jedi's solitude. A vital lesson is passed in a conversation between Luke Skywalker, Grandmaster of the New Jedi Order, and Mon Mothma, former Chief of State of the New Republic.
As Luke considers the past errors of the Jedi, Mon Mothma asks him a crucial question: "Will they set themselves as a band of champions or as an elite priesthood?" Are they to be cut off from the people by privilege and mystique, answerable just to themselves? Alternatively will they be closely connected to the people and serve them? Will they be outside of the people or part of the citizenry?
Having seen the fall of the Jedi Order, Luke understands the wisdom in Mon Mothma's comments. Saying, "It seems to me that an order of Jedi that isolated itself from the population would be a very dangerous thing indeed," he notes the risk of an isolated Jedi Order. If you never lived the life of common people, it would be quite simple to forget their ways of life.
Jedi Order and Value of Integration
Mon Mothma underlines the vital need of the Jedi being included into society: "I believe, and believe strongly, that the Republic needs Jedi that get their hands dirty, that are part of the Republic's daily life." Living in ivory towers, Jedi could be more lethal than any other type of Jedi. Looking no further than our very recent past, you will find that it has been the Dark Jedi seeking solitude. A Jedi of the Light has to be one among people. Every planet must have a Jedi; every city must have a Jedi; none of the planets devoid of Jedi and nothing else. There has to be Jedi performing what common people do, ordinary folk. There has to be politicians, Jedi doctors and judges, soldiers and pilots.
New Jedi Order of Luke Skywalker: Reform Legacy
In the Star Wars Legends continuity, Luke Skywalker paid these lessons great attention. He founded a fresh Jedi Order stressing more pragmatic Force approach and social integration. Aiming to avoid the mistakes of their forebears and guarantee their ongoing relevance in the galaxy, this reformed Jedi Order set out
The Jedi Order of the Sequel Trilogy: Repeating History?
Sadly, Luke Skywalker's newly formed Jedi Order in the Star Wars sequel trilogy seems to have stumbled across some of the same prequels' traps. Reflecting the dangers of the prequels, Rey, Luke's successor seems to follow a rigorous code of detachment and emotional repression.
The actress Daisy Ridley, who plays Rey, has hinted at the continuation of this constrictive code, implying a lack of historical learning from mistakes. This begs the issue of whether Rey's generation of Jedi will be able to really escape the old patterns of isolation and limited ideas, or if they will fall victim to the same traps that finally brought down the Jedi Order in the prequels.
Teachings from the Star Wars Legends: The Jedi Order's Future
The continuity of Star Wars Legends offers insightful analysis of the possible risks of isolation and the need of integration for the Jedi Order. It is a warning story, stressing the possibility of complacency and disconnection to compromise even the most moral of goals. Though the direction the Jedi Order will take is yet unknown, the lessons from the Legends continuity provide a useful road map for a more strong and sustainable one.
