![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mamuzzyAnd then I realized why. Religious communities, cults, sects, they all have something in common: ORDER. They have exact rules, they have exact way of doing things, and most importantly then have people to tell you what to do. If you have an exact system to guide you whenever you are doubt or whenever you are forced to make important decisions then you can have a clear conscience that what you do is probably right. It is sanctified even. You don't have to think for yourself or think about the moral consequences of the actions when there is something bigger to tell you how wo think about it. Laws and rules, a concrete system is there to give you a safety. Maybe a little bit of ignorance too.
And when reading about Obi-Wan in The Phantom Menace I thought about these people so much.Young Obi-Wan is as arrogant as your usual early 20s years old can be with the total confidence how he already knows everything about the universe and everyone else is an idiot
When I naively arrived in a fandom group of aggressively hating on Qui-gon Jinn, I caught myself thinking: Why???
Because Qui-Gon challenging the Jedi Order in every possible given moments when he doesn't agree with them. Obi-Wan described Qui-Gon as someone who always gets into situations that doesn't concern the himself or most importantly the Jedi Order.
Obi-Wan is so logical and pragmatic, and straight-out arrogant here that outright categorize living beings and situations: is this something worthwile for the Order? Is this something that will go against rules? Why should they concern themselves with something that is not the mission?
Having a master like Qui-gon contradicts with everything Obi-Wan had learned before. That Obi-Wan should use his own head when thinking instead of relying on solely on rules. He encourages Obi-Wan to make decisions for himself, leave the comfort zone when necessary. He hates that Qui-Gon doesn't represent the will of the Jedi Order as a superior. He probably hates that his master is the only one who constantly gets reprimanded and maybe he is torn between being loyal to the Order and simoultaneously forced to challenge his own Master all the time.
Just imagine the dilemma. If the Jedi Order is perfect then why need challenging? And if the Order is not perfect, it means they represent something wrong? Obi-Wan has a polarized thinking, and he is so relatable.I really liked this quote about the Jedi Order lore:
I always loved Qui-Gon Jinn, because he just radiates some inner wisdom that comes from kindness toward all living (he is not necessarily polite), and the way he interacts with the environment truly shows a character of someone who is one with the Force and lets the Force guiding him, instead of being the one who desperately tries to control a power that is so much bigger than him. He is deeply spiritual without the dogmatic behaviour and believed that their power should be used for good. Because ultimately the Light side of the Force is about everything that lives and gives.
Does the Jedi Order reprimand the Force as well when it doesn't work in the mysterious way properly? Or when the Force doesn't respect Republic laws? I think this is really worth to think about.
no subject
Date: 2025-04-30 04:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2025-05-01 01:09 pm (UTC)Before the existence of KOTOR, Qui-Gon Jinn was the definition for Gray Jedi. Not because he was also a dark side force user. But solely because he didn't agree with Council's decision and their opinions often clashed, and despite the warning, Qui-Gon kept doing what he felt right.
And from what I've seen so far, what is right and what is lawful is central theme of TPM.
So far I really enjoys the books!!!