Did Luke or Anakin Restore Balance to the Force?

Understanding the Prophecy

Throughout the Star Wars saga, a prophecy foretold the birth of a Chosen One who would restore balance to the Force. But what does this mean, and who actually accomplished this feat?

What Is 'Balance to the Force'?

Often mistaken for a balance between light and dark, 'balance to the Force' actually refers to the Force existing in its natural, organic, and orderly form. This includes a balance between selfishness and selflessness, the natural cycle of life and death, hope over despair, and the acceptance of fate. These qualities are inherently aligned with the light side of the Force, as the dark side is a corrupted and twisted version of the Force, catering to the desires of its users.

Why Anakin Skywalker?

According to the prophecy, the Chosen One was destined to restore the Force by destroying the greatest perverters, the Sith. Anakin Skywalker, born of no father, was identified as this Chosen One due to the Jedi's unusual methods of conception. His journey was marked by acceptance and eventually a tragic fall to the dark side, only to become Darth Vader. His ultimate goal was to 'bring ultimate balance to the Force' by eliminating the dark side and its perversion.

Why the Jedi?

While the primary task was to destroy the Sith, Anakin had to destroy the Jedi as well. This was because the Jedi had become politicized and corrupted by the Senate, serving as a governmental arm rather than the people of the galaxy. The establishment had become more loyal to the Senate than to the Force or the people, straying from their original purpose. For example, Jedi Padawan Barriss Offee saw the Jedi as villains in the conflict, stating, "We have so lost our way that we have become villains in this conflict. We are the ones that should be put on trial."

Anakin's Role Beyond the Sith

After his fall to the dark side and subsequent redemption, Anakin played a crucial role in destroying the Old Jedi Order. This allowed for a new, less politicized, and more coherent Jedi Order to emerge. Furthermore, he destroyed Darth Sidious, the greater evil that the Old Sith Order represented. Through this, the dark side was eliminated, and a pure form of the Force was restored, making the galaxy more balanced and united under the light.

Luke's Contribution

Although Luke Skywalker also played a significant role in the galaxy's ultimate balance, his efforts were primarily focused on bringing balance back to the Jedi Order. His mission was to rebuild the Order and restore its original purpose, not to destroy the Sith as Anakin had. Luke's victory in theClone Wars and the defeat of the Emperor marked a new era where the Jedi could thrive without political interference.

Thus, Anakin Skywalker, through his actions of destroying the Sith and correcting the corruption within the Jedi Order, restored balance to the Force. His complex journey from chosen one, to apprentice of the dark side, to redeemed hero is a testament to the intricate nature of the Force and its importance in the galaxy.