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Revision as of 03:28, 28 April 2004 by Aequo (talk | contribs) (added picture)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Darth Vader is a fictional character from Star Wars.
In Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, (1977; this was the first released Episode), Darth Vader, now a cyborg, is the brutal second-in-command of Palpatine, the Emperor of the Galactic Empire. He defeats and kills (at least in body) the now-elderly Obi-Wan Kenobi in a light-saber battle, whilst Luke Skywalker and his motley crew assist Princess Leia to escape with the plans to the Death Star. He then appears again piloting a distinctive TIE fighter and almost prevents Luke's successful starfighter attack on the Death Star.
Vader confronts Luke again in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Vader tells Luke that he, Vader, is his father. Darth Vader's real name before assuming the identity of Darth Vader was Anakin Skywalker. Vader tells Luke to join him. Vader tells Luke that they can destroy the Emperor and rule the galaxy as father and son. Luke refuses to join Vader and escapes. For those interested in the saga, this represented a significant change in direction, as the ultimate symbols of good and evil were now understood to have a deeper connection that would demand some final resolution.
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983) sees Vader attempt to persuade Luke to join the Emperor and himself on the dark side of the Force. When that fails, Vader and Luke fight another light-saber battle, Luke refusing to attack Vader and all the while attempting to persuade him to come back to the "Good Side" of the Force. Finally, Vader telepathically examines Luke's mind and realises that Leia is Luke's sister (and thus his daughter), and threatens to turn her to the Dark Side. Luke finally reacts with anger, severely injuring Vader. The Emperor then again calls on Luke to join the Dark Side, but Luke refuses. The Emperor uses the dark energy of the Force to electrocute Luke. Anakin Skywalker returns and struggles to his feet to rescue his son, grabs the Emperor (thus further injuring himself from the Force's energy) and throws the Emperor down a hole in the Death Star to the Emperor's death. Nearing death, Anakin asks Luke to remove his mask so he can see Luke, for the first (and as it turned out, the only) time "with his own eyes". Anakin dies soon after.
His body is cremated in the manner of a Jedi, and the end of the film Luke sees what appears to be a vision of an apparently forgiven Anakin (without the artificial body of Vader), Obi-Wan, and Yoda smiling down upon him. Thus ends the six-part saga, with a restored order to the galaxy through the "return" of Anakin back to the good side.
It is also worth noting that "Vader" is the Dutch word for "father", and it may be tempting to read the character name "Darth Vader" as "Dark Father", a word-play that may well be the root of the Sith title. Also, the name "Anakin" has an entry at this website which seems to fit the character fairly well.
See also: The Skywalker family
Darth Vader as a cultural figure
- During a major renovation, Washington National Cathedral held a competition for children to design new gargoyles for the west towers. One winner was a design featuring Darth Vader (see external links).