Ben is Anakin’s Rebirth?

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The lovely Monica Perle responded to my post recommending Vincent Vendetta’s Reylo videos on YouTube and recommended more videos by Wayward Jedi.

I checked them out. This was my experience.

Wayward Jedi: I believe Kylo Ren and Rey are Anakin and Padme reborn.

 

Okay, I know Star Wars is supposed to be mythopoetic, but that’s taking it a bit far.

 

 

 

*starts to think about all the Pinterest posts I’ve seen drawing parallels to the prequels but never paid attention to*

 

 

    

 

*And you know…it would add meaning to these moments…*

 

 

Having circled her, he moved even closer, peering into her face, her eyes. Then the red lightsaber he held came up: close to her flesh, close enough to cast a red glow on her skin.

“Something.” He sounded mystified. “There is something… Who are you?” (Foster, 2015, pg. 181)

…Finn resorted to the only defense at his command: He pulled and activated the Skywalker lightsaber.

For some reason, the sight of it was enough to give Ren pause. He stared at it for a moment before reacting.

“That weapon–is mine.” (Foster, 2015, pg. 249)

Switching off his own weapon, Ren extended an arm toward the device lying in the snow. It twitched and then began to vibrate as the Force called to it. Stretching out his hand farther, straining, Ren beckoned powerfully–and the lightsaber rose, to come bulleting toward his outstretched fingers.

And past them.

Taken aback, he whirled–to see the weapon hand in the hand of a girl standing by a tree. Rey appeared equally shocked that her reach for the device had exceeded his. She gazed down at the weapon now resting in her grip.

“It is you,” Ren murmured.

His words unsettled her: Not for the first time, he seemed to know more about her than she did about herself. (Foster, 2015, pg. 250)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Anakin gives his Lightsaber to Padmé

Anakin: This weapon is my life. *gives to Padme*

LOL It’s just another theory, but it’s damn interesting to think about, and Wayward Jedi’s evidence is compelling. Thanks for bringing these to my attention, Monica.

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3 thoughts on “Ben is Anakin’s Rebirth?”

  1. I’ve read this theory. I’m slightly uncomfortable with the idea of them being literal reincarnates of Anakin and Padme, but I’m totally fine with them being metaphorical reverse-Anidala. I love the idea that possessive, jealous love destroyed Anakin and compassionate, selfless love will “save” Ben. It’s the perfect Star Wars fairytale message of hope.

    Have you read Ohtze’s super deep-dive meta about the Usurper and the Holy Mother archetypes? It’s a little heavy handed with the Oedipal stuff, but there are some really eye-opening parallels in there between Ben and Anakin, and Rey and Padme.

    If you’re interested: https://ohtze.tumblr.com/post/169094630983/kill-the-king-and-take-the-crown

    Reply

    • I love how you phrased it–I’m slightly uncomfortable with the idea of them being literal reincarnates, too, but I’m all for metaphorical reverse-Anidala. I could hop on board with literal reincarnation, though, if that’s the end-game, but I prefer to think of Ben Solo as his own individual self and Rey same. I would rather Ben’s arc be Ben’s arc, not actually the tail end of Anakin’s. But I’m open to it.

      I came across that post a while ago and bookmarked it but never got around to reading it. I’ve seen it referred to several times; one of these days I’ll get around to it 😛

      Reply

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