Why did Luke Skywalker need to face Darth Vader again in order to be a Jedi?

Spudgun · 6 Mar 2011 at 23:09

This one has always puzzled me. Why exactly did Yoda tell Luke that he wouldn't be a Jedi until he faced Darth Vader again? - I've read a few of the star wars books about the creation of the Jedi etc. and I'm still none the wiser.

Other than a plot device to drive the final showdown in return of the jedi, is there any actual reason as to why this was the final task that needed to be complete to make the transition from padawan to jedi?

Jokester · 6 Mar 2011 at 23:10

I always thought it was because he had to show he could control his anger?

Spudgun · 6 Mar 2011 at 23:14

Jokester said:
I always thought it was because he had to show he could control his anger?

an interesting thought - but one that he would have failed as he does go a bit 'nuts' when chopping off vader's hand

Podmonkey · 6 Mar 2011 at 23:28

Face his fears? Or to settle his inner conflict and emotions before he can be at peace? Or just having unfinnished business with all this daddy malarky would cause havok with his concious and a jedi needs clarity/calm which he would never have. Dunno really, made an awesome fight though.

robgmun · 6 Mar 2011 at 23:38

Something to do with the trails that needed to be passed to become a jedi

Nitefly · 7 Mar 2011 at 00:21

To get to the other side.

Marine Iguana · 7 Mar 2011 at 00:23

Nitefly said:
To get to the other side.

Best joke outside of GD ever

oxygene · 7 Mar 2011 at 00:24

I reckon its to do with resolving his inner conflict regarding the whole evil father situation.

Deiwos · 7 Mar 2011 at 01:04

Cos the film would be **** if he didn't.

Grandmaster Fap! · 7 Mar 2011 at 01:45

A test of faith and belief in himself, plus running away from daddy would have made a poor movie.

3vil Tom · 7 Mar 2011 at 01:45

Maybe Yoda was ****ed off he couldn't do it so found someone who could.

mrthingyx · 7 Mar 2011 at 13:13

Sacrifice.

All things being constant, the futures that Yoda saw contained Luke sacrificing something of himself to get the detachment of self required to become a true Jedi:

Vader kills him (Luke gives his life willingly);
The Emperor kills him (Luke kills Vader, but refuses to serve the Dark Lord);
Luke's father dies (Vader is redeemed and dies at the Emperor's hand).

Or something like that.

dannyjo22 · 7 Mar 2011 at 15:31

3vil Tom said:
Maybe Yoda was ****ed off he couldn't do it so found someone who could.

Biggest pussy in all the films, Yoda. No wonder he kept banging on about wars not making one great. He had a little fall in his battle with Palpatine and left on his hands and knees.

Almost as bad as Obi Wan just giving up in star wars. There's a good vision to leave luke with, being a quitter

SteveOBHave · 7 Mar 2011 at 15:42

I always thought it was because with Vader being his father it was the ultimate temptation for Luke to join the dark side. If he declined the temptation then he was a true Jedi...

Snakedoctor · 7 Mar 2011 at 15:45

I believe it was a plot device to enable a battle between them. This was a required conclusion to some aspects of the story.

Banzai_Joe · 7 Mar 2011 at 16:00

Wasn't Luke the catalyst for the fact that "anakin was the one to bring balance to the force" by firing the emporer down that shaft and killing him? Thus proving there was still good in vader?

Tummy · 7 Mar 2011 at 16:02

Snakedoctor said:
I believe it was a plot device to enable a battle between them. This was a required conclusion to some aspects of the story.