"If you're not with me, then you're my enemy." : A narrative analysis of the representation of evil in Star Wars through the protagonist Anakin Skywalker

This essay examines the representation of evil in the Star Wars prequel film series. The starting point of the study comes from a narrative analysis of the protagonist Anakin Skywalker. Using Gerard Genette's three-part model of narrative, Anakin's narrative is examined and presented based on the model's first part, story; which highlights what the narrative is portraying through structure, characters, setting and themes. The analysis shows that Anakin got underlying attributes that create tension in him that leads him to his downfall. Turning points and events in his narrative are presented that reinforce his climax where he allies himself with the dark lord of the Sith, Darth Sidious. The presentation of the narrative chisels out three overarching themes (self-esteem, love, and fear) that are discussed to find out what Anakin's narrative implies concerning the representation of evil in the Star Wars prequel. The final analysis suggested that Anakin's feels hindered in advancing in the Jedi-orders hierarchy but also that he is met with scepticism that affects his self-esteem. The analysis also implies that Anakin's fear of losing his loved ones is disregarded by the Jedi-order that rather encourage him the let go than giving him tools to work it through. Furthermore, the analysis concludes that Anakin does not ally himself with the dark side of the Force because it is evil, but because it – in his mind – offers him, not just power but also the possibility to save Padmé from dying. Through a presentation of Anakin's narrative and his fall to the dark side, evil in Star Wars is discussed. Evil, then, is not represented as one might expect, dualistic with a good and a bad, light, and dark. But rather shifting alongside Anakin's moral compass when he allies himself with the dark side. The dark side that initially represented evil, will therefore become good and its counterpart the light side of the Force and the Jedi-order who fights for peace and justice in the galaxy, will for Anakin represent evil instead