Between running around trying to finish up fic for deadlines and other such concerns, it took me a while to read all this. ^^;; But I love meta, and may I say thank you for writing a nice, lovely thoughtful that discussion I can sink my teeth into. I've been floundering about, wondering why SW was so allergic to meta. My answer? A lot of people are set in their own beliefs. I can get pretty dogged about my interpretation, too, but some people won't even consider alternate takes!
Now, you make some really great points and explore a lot of possibilities (all plausible in their own ways). I tend to go with option #2 the most, for various reasons. One of which is that I am a diehard original trilogy fan, and I consider it better presented than the prequels. The other is because it just makes sense to me. And also, some things George Lucas has said on the DVDs and in interviews sways me in this direction. Not everyone takes what he says off-film as canon. I can understand why, but I like him for explanation. :D I do not bother much with the EU, especially post-RotJ, most of which was written prior to the release of the prequels and is inaccurate due to this.
A lot of things in the film are left intentionally vague, as Lucas wanted people to interpret it how they want, and to look at it as suited them. So, really, there's no true right answer. What i say is based off some extra sources and my own beliefs, so are NOT necessarily canon, just canon-compliant and my own views.
Here's my thinking: Lucas stated in the RotS DVD Chosen One feature that Anakin is the Chosen One and to remember he will always be the Chosen One, even he's Vader. He has to destroy the Sith, and one reason he died in RotJ, is because he was the last of the Sith and had to die. Which indicates that was his purpose, and how the Force is balanced by this act. This suggests the Sith were throwing the balance out. Which suggests that the Jedi are a neutral-good force. Yes, they are good, but also neutral, and by being neutral, they are good (as in harmonious, if that makes sense to you). Sort of a grayish-white in alignment. Certain bad things they allow (if not commit), because that is part of the balance. It's a soft take on it, but the Jedi were good guys, but not complete good guys.
Now, like you, I don't think the Jedi had that many problems. I see nothing wrong with their upbringing or way of life, and think it has a great foundation. It simply had become brittle and stagnant, too mired in their own ways and unable to see clearly what was going on. I don't agree with their lack of emotions or attachments, and think they should have preached control rather than denial, but really, their way of life was fine. However, in the RotS novel there's a wonderful explanation I like to use about how the Jedi had not changed in a thousand generations, though the Sith had, and Yoda believed the Jedi needed to change after Anakin's betrayal, believing they had failed him and the galaxy by being blind and unchanging. Which is anice bit of extrapolation on why he and Obi-Wan didn't train Luke and Leia and seemed different in philosophy by the original trilogy.
Now, as for the Force ghosties, deleted bits in the scripts reveal that Qui-Gon had learned this technique from a Shaman of the Whills, and he was the first Jedi to learn of it. It is found through compassion, so no Sith can master it. Otherwise, everyone fades into the Force. I assume that Qui-Gon learned this non-Jedi technique because he was the rebellious type.
no subject
Now, you make some really great points and explore a lot of possibilities (all plausible in their own ways). I tend to go with option #2 the most, for various reasons. One of which is that I am a diehard original trilogy fan, and I consider it better presented than the prequels. The other is because it just makes sense to me. And also, some things George Lucas has said on the DVDs and in interviews sways me in this direction. Not everyone takes what he says off-film as canon. I can understand why, but I like him for explanation. :D I do not bother much with the EU, especially post-RotJ, most of which was written prior to the release of the prequels and is inaccurate due to this.
A lot of things in the film are left intentionally vague, as Lucas wanted people to interpret it how they want, and to look at it as suited them. So, really, there's no true right answer. What i say is based off some extra sources and my own beliefs, so are NOT necessarily canon, just canon-compliant and my own views.
Here's my thinking: Lucas stated in the RotS DVD Chosen One feature that Anakin is the Chosen One and to remember he will always be the Chosen One, even he's Vader. He has to destroy the Sith, and one reason he died in RotJ, is because he was the last of the Sith and had to die. Which indicates that was his purpose, and how the Force is balanced by this act. This suggests the Sith were throwing the balance out. Which suggests that the Jedi are a neutral-good force. Yes, they are good, but also neutral, and by being neutral, they are good (as in harmonious, if that makes sense to you). Sort of a grayish-white in alignment. Certain bad things they allow (if not commit), because that is part of the balance. It's a soft take on it, but the Jedi were good guys, but not complete good guys.
Now, like you, I don't think the Jedi had that many problems. I see nothing wrong with their upbringing or way of life, and think it has a great foundation. It simply had become brittle and stagnant, too mired in their own ways and unable to see clearly what was going on. I don't agree with their lack of emotions or attachments, and think they should have preached control rather than denial, but really, their way of life was fine. However, in the RotS novel there's a wonderful explanation I like to use about how the Jedi had not changed in a thousand generations, though the Sith had, and Yoda believed the Jedi needed to change after Anakin's betrayal, believing they had failed him and the galaxy by being blind and unchanging. Which is anice bit of extrapolation on why he and Obi-Wan didn't train Luke and Leia and seemed different in philosophy by the original trilogy.
Now, as for the Force ghosties, deleted bits in the scripts reveal that Qui-Gon had learned this technique from a Shaman of the Whills, and he was the first Jedi to learn of it. It is found through compassion, so no Sith can master it. Otherwise, everyone fades into the Force. I assume that Qui-Gon learned this non-Jedi technique because he was the rebellious type.