When Lucas made his first trilogy, I don't believe he had the entire story with two trilogies in mind. But by the time the story was told in its complete grandeur Star Wars turned out to be the story of Darth Vader. From the birth of his Jedi beginnings through his journey of turning evil and then to his retribution.
Because life doesn't fly past us in reels of black and white. There is always the one in the fifty shades of grey.
For me, as a writer, the profile of a villain is very interesting for it is the villain who makes or breaks the story. Darth Vader, (or Anakin before he turned to the dark side) was a brilliant Jedi. His skills were almost unmatched. Superlative so to speak. But what brought about his doom were the things that bothers all of us at some point or the other. Complexes within oneself, death, losing a loved one to things unknown, fear of some kind or the other. Such issues bring all of us down. Turn us to the dark side. However, the prolific nature of Vader's powers was the very same quality that made his turning to the dark side, that much more trenchant.
Darth Vader showed me that talent and achievement has nothing much to do with one's moral strength. It's sometimes unnerving to get lessons from villains like this.
"I find your lack of faith disturbing."
I've never read or watched Star Wars, but now I'm extremely intrigued about Darth. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Geeta for visiting! Star Wars is definitely a series to watch and follow the evolution of Darth Vader.
DeleteInteresting post, Sangita. I haven't read Star Wars, did watch the movie though. though. What I like best in your post is your idea the villain that makes a story; hell is indeed way more interesting than heaven:-)
ReplyDeleteMe too, Barnali! I didnt read them because I heard the books came out after the movies. So that way this post is a cop out.
DeleteWell, my take is that a person becomes a hero after vanquishing a villain but it doesnt take any such thing to become a villain. So in that sense the villain makes the story. :)
Villains!
ReplyDeleteYes! Gotta have them, these antagonists! :)
DeleteThanks so much for putting Darth and fifty shades of grey in my head and making me realize that somewhere on the Internet there's pornographic Darth Vader fan fiction.
ReplyDeleteIs it? Wow, you really went searching! :)
DeleteI just *had* to put in the fifty shades comment, you know.
Darth Vader... A Hero who was predicted to bring forth balance to the force.. by vanquishing the Dark side of the force.. the sith.. seduced by the dark side.. and finally becoming a true villain second only to the Emperor..
ReplyDeleteBut then again... It is that very love... which turns him back to the "good" side and finally kill the emperor.. bring balance to "the force"
oh one of my fav villains..
Thank you! You and I are kins of a kind! :)
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