The Circle Is Now Complete: Anakin Skywalker, Relationships, and the Psychology of Men (Part I)

The Circle Is Now Complete: Anakin Skywalker, Relationships, and the Psychology of Men (Part I) A review of the film Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith (2005) George Lucas (Writer/Director) Reviewed by Stephen R. Wester During the fall of 1977 through the spring of 1978 I drove my parents insane. Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope (Kurtz & Lucas, 1977) was in theaters, and I constantly badgered them to repeatedly see the film. I dressed in Star Wars clothes, played with Star Wars action figures, and lived out the actions of my new heroes: the brash Han Solo, the naïve Luke Skywalker, and the wise Obi-Wan Kenobi. I vanquished many a Death Star and was even vanquished myself on occasion. I reveled in the subsequent release of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back (Kurtz, Lucas, & Kershner, 1980), as well as Star Wars: Episode VI The Return of the Jedi (Kazanjian, Lucas, & Marquand, 1983). Now, 28 years later, with the release of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and the completion of the first trilogy, my two children are repaying my past behavior tenfold. I go through the

days hearing them play out the taciturn Mace Windu, the brooding Anakin Skywalker, the evil Emperor Palpatine, the wise Yoda, and of course Obi-Wan Kenobi. The circle is now complete. This review, the first part of two, concerns the character of Anakin Skywalker as detailed primarily in Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith but also throughout Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace (McCallum & Lucas, 1999) and Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones (McCallum & Lucas, 2002). Anakin experiences a unique developmental trajectory that might be best explained by the emerging psychology of men (see G. R. Brooks & Good, 2001a, 2001b, for discussions). O'Neil (1981), for example, described how the more traditional male gender-role socialization teaches boys a combination of characteristics that might be a positive asset in certain situations (e.g., strength, loyalty, independence) as well as characteristics that might be more negative in certain situations (e.g., aggression, isolation). This first review focuses on those characteristics that might be positive, whereas the second review will focus on those characteristics that might be negative. G. R. Brooks (1998) detailed how many men who undergo a traditional male genderrole socialization during their development acquire and value characteristics such as strength, loyalty, and aggression. More important, in his work with male military veterans, Brooks noted that those characteristics allowed individuals to succeed in their service but became maladaptive when those same individuals returned to civilian life (see also Wester & Lyubelsky, 2005). Indeed, O'Neil et al. described the construct of gender-role conflict, which details how men experience psychological distress as a result of situation changes that render certain behaviors less adaptive than others. Although the manner in which gender roles are learned varies dramatically (e.g., Wester, 2005), Pollack (1998) asserted that the process of learning such a confusing combination of characteristics occurred through a developmental progression that forces boys to experience traumatic disruption of their early holding environment, [in effect] a premature psychic separation from both maternal and paternal caregivers (p. 14). Although Pollack's (1998) controversial idea certainly needs empirical exploration, Anakin does indeed seem to have undergone such a traumatic process. As detailed in Star Wars: Episode I, Anakin and his mother Shmi are slaves to Watto, a Toydarian junk dealer who works them without mercy on the desert planet of Tatooine. They deal with this by relying on each other and the strength of their relationship. A chance meeting with two Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn, leads Anakin to express interest in becoming a Jedi. Unfortunately, he is given little choice in the matter; he is won in a game of chance by Qui- Gon Jinn and freed from his state of bondage to potentially join the Jedi Order. Qui-Gon is convinced that Anakin is the Chosen One an individual long prophesized in Jedi lore as one destined to bring balance between the light side of the force (as exemplified by the Jedi) and the dark side of the force (as exemplified by the Sith). Qui-Gon has to choose between

freeing either Anakin or his mother, and he uses the force to manipulate the dice to ensure that he wins Anakin. This separation forces Anakin to begin relying more heavily on the socialized male preference for independence and self-sufficiency. Anakin expresses excitement over potentially becoming a Jedi and looks forward to the journey. At the same time, when he becomes afraid over leaving his mother, Shmi encourages him to do so, saying, It is time for you to let go to let go of me (T. Brooks, 1999, p. 188). In effect, she encourages his move toward independence while encouraging him to suppress his fears. From an early age, boys are rewarded for toughness, independence, and control over their own lives (Pollack & Levant, 1998). Conversely, the expression of vulnerable emotions such as fear is actively discouraged (Pollack, 1998). In Anakin's case, such socialization forces him to put aside his fears, set aside the supportive relationship with his mother, and move toward becoming a Jedi. Yet, at the same time, it is often in the context of interpersonal relationships that many men experience their greatest success. Therein lies a fascinating paradox; men might be socialized to prefer independence and self-reliance, and those skills might indeed serve them well in specific situations. Relationships, however, seem critical to the developmental process. G. R. Brooks (1998), for example, noted how men have an enormous capacity to inspire each other or to become encouraged by [the behavior of] their male [colleagues] (p. 118). Ongoing forays into the multicultural psychology of men (e.g., Wester, 2005) demonstrate that, for men of color, their masculinity is often defined primarily by their relationships with others as opposed to an avoidance of those relationships. The lynchpin seems to be the contextually unique way in which men both communicate and demonstrate their affection for each other. In the final scene of Star Wars: Episode I, for example, Qui- Gon Jinn is laid to rest. Note how Anakin Skywalker, now a full-fledged Padawan, or apprentice, in the Jedi order, looks up at his recently assigned mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi. The expression on his face is one of admiration, excitement, and perhaps even love. Remember, Anakin has been taken from his mother to whom he was very close and thrust into this new world. The young actor Jake Lloyd, who portrays Anakin in Star Wars: Episode I, does a nice job of nonverbally expressing his affection for Obi-Wan, who stepped up and supported him after the death of Qui-Gon Jinn. The importance of relationships, a theme Lucas carries into the second trilogy, and their role in shaping the life of Anakin Skywalker take on added significance in Star Wars: Episode II. Overtly, the interaction between Anakin and Obi-Wan is one of teacher student. The Jedi Council charged Obi-Wan with teaching Anakin the ways of the Jedi, in addition to marshaling his overall psychological development. However, it becomes clear very early in the film that the relationship is much deeper than mere instruction. Indeed, Hayden Christensen does an excellent job portraying the almost adolescent nature of Anakin Skywalker and his interactions with Obi-Wan during Star Wars: Episode II. In this film, Anakin is petulant, demanding, and even arrogant. He does not seem to always listen to Obi-

Wan and once, after being lectured about losing his light saber, responds to Obi-Wan with repeated, dutiful, yes, Master and sorry, Master (Salvatore, 2002, p. 104), much as a teenager might speak to his father after being told for the 40th time to do better in school. In the film's climatic battle, Anakin discounts the sage advice of Obi-Wan and rushes to take on an opponent without adequate back up, losing his hand to a light saber as a result. At the same time, however, in another poignant scene, Anakin tells Obi-Wan that he is the closest thing [he has] to a father (Salvatore, 2002, p. 107) and that he loves [him], and [he does not] want to cause [Obi-Wan] pain (p. 107). Obi-Wan's fatherly perseverance pays off in Star Wars: Episode III, as he and Anakin, now a full-fledged Jedi Knight, have become close friends. Obi-Wan describes Anakin as a brother (Stover, 2005, p. 379), and they express their love and affection for each other many times in the film. Indeed, at this point Anakin seems to have fully embraced some of the more positive aspects of the traditional male gender-role socialization loyalty, for example, as well as strength, success, and friendship (G. R. Brooks, 1998). Obi-Wan notes, in one scene, that for Anakin, there is nothing more important that friendship. He is the most loyal man I have ever met loyal beyond reason, in fact [Anakin is] loyal to people, not to principles. And he expects loyalty in return (Stover, 2005, p. 214). My colleagues and I (e.g., Wester & Lyubelsky, 2005; Wester & Vogel, 2002) have noted the importance of these characteristics for many men, the degree to which they serve men well in specific situations, and the degree to which successful psychotherapy often requires reframing those principles so that they can generalize. Anakin seems to personify this pattern, as the characteristics learned in his relationship with Obi-Wan have allowed him to succeed beyond measure as a Jedi Knight. Unfortunately, the same socialization that taught him these positive characteristics also imparted several negative characteristics. Loyalty, for example, can be a double-edged sword, especially when the behavior of those to whom you are loyal places you in potentially problematic situations. Indeed, Obi-Wan foreshadows this when, as he discusses the Jedi Council's decision to send Anakin to spy on his friend, Senator Palpatine, he says I think we have done a terrible thing (Stover, 2005, p. 212), noting also that, I am firmly convinced that Anakin can do anything. Except betray a friend (p. 215). The Jedi Council, in asking him to do so, has ultimately set the stage for Anakin's choice to join the dark side. Regarding relationships, Hayden Christensen does an excellent job portraying Anakin Skywalker. The angst over the choices Anakin must make, as well as his disappointment in the relationships he has with other characters in the films, come through well. Jake Lloyd set the stage with his portrayal of Anakin in Star Wars: Episode I, and Christensen captures both the brooding adolescent in Star Wars: Episode II as well as the troubled man he becomes in Star Wars: Episode III. The verbal and nonverbal expressions of affection for Obi-Wan Kenobi, as well as his respect for characters such as Mace Windu and Yoda, translate nicely despite the overwhelming nature of the film's visual effects. Christensen's

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Stover, M. (2005). Star wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. New York: Del Ray. Wester, S. R. (2005). Male gender role conflict and multiculturalism: Implications for counseling psychology. Manuscript submitted for publication. Wester, S. R., & Lyubelsky, J. (2005). Supporting the thin blue line: Gender sensitive therapy with male police officers. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 36, 51 58. Wester, S. R., & Vogel, D. L. (2002). Working with the masculine mystique: Male gender role conflict, counseling self-efficacy, and the training of male psychologists. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 33, 370 376. PsycCRITIQUES 1554-0138 September 28, 2005, Vol. 50, Release 39, Article 15 2005, American Psychological Association