The Empire Strikes Back

Special Edition Laserdisc Side 5, Chapter 26.

Yoda is riding on Luke’s back while training him.

Y: Yes, run! Yesss [?]…a Jedi’s strength FLOW[S?] from the Force. But beware of the Dark Side. Anger. Fear. Agression. The Dark Side of the Force are they. Easily they flow. Quick to join you in a fight. If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny; consume you it will. As it did Obi-Wan’s apprentice.

L: Vader! Is the Dark Side stronger?

Y: No, no, no. [But the?] easier, more seductive.

L: But how am I to know the good side from the bad?

Y: You will know. When you are calm. At peace. Passive. Hmmm. A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense; never for attack.

L: But tell me why I can’t…

Y: <interrupting> No, no, there is no why! Nothing more will I teach you today. Clear you mind of questions. Hmmm. Hmmm…

Artoo beeps.

L: <Puts down Yoda, walks to a tree, and dons a jacket> There’s something not right here. <pause while Yoda looks away> I feel cold.

Y: <Raises his head. The word "death" is whispered, though Yoda’s lips do not move. With a stick Yoda points toward an area near Luke.> [That?] place is strong. With the Force. A domain of evil it is. In you must go.

L: What’s in there?

Y: Only what you take with you. <Luke heads into the swamp, strapping on a belt of weapons> No [bad weapons?] You will not need them. <Luke buckles the belt anyway and continues.>

Artoo beeps and trembles while Yoda says, "Hm."

Luke continues into the swamp, encountering lots of slimy creatures. He crawls down a hole and comes to what is apparently a stone ruin, a tunnel, covered with vines and slime. He senses something coming toward him, the camera begins a dreamy, jerky slow-motion effect, and suddenly Darth Vader steps forward. They draw their lightsabers and do battle. Luke grimaces in the same expression he will use later in his climactic duel with Vader, and chops off Vader’s head, which rolls to Luke’s feet. Suddenly Vader’s mask explodes, revealing Luke’s own face inside. We also get a reaction shot of Yoda and Artoo. The robot has taken all this in and beeps collegially to Yoda, who responds with a grunt. Apparently, this was a vision fraught with meaning.

1) Anger, fear and aggression comprise the Dark Side of the Force.

2) Yoda and Ben know that Vader is Anakin.

3) Luke knows that Vader was Ben’s apprentice.

4) The Force is both good and bad, and the Dark Side equates to bad.

5) Yoda teaches that once a Jedi uses the Dark Side, he’ll be consumed by it. This could equate to the kind of teaching Lucas heard from figures of authority as a young person growing up in the 50’s. It’s certainly what I was taught. "That first drink of alcohol is the most damnable drink you’ll ever take. Using marijuana is the first step to using heroin. One injection of heroin and you’ll be forever addicted."

6) Using the Force to attack equates to using the Dark Side.

7) Jedi trainees see visions and undergo trials, as some American Indians did. Or do.

8) Luke’s vision fortells that he will succumb to the Dark Side.  Thus, his eventual rejection of the Dark Side indicates that he does have control of his destiny.  If Lucas has a central lesson he's trying to teach with his Force as religion theme, this is probably it.

9) Artoo and Yoda are colleagues -- when they interact while Luke isn’t around, they seem to have had a history together. When Luke is around, they seem to be putting on a show, as when they play tug-of-war over a flashlight shortly after Yoda appears.

10) There is at least one place on Dagobah where the Force is strong, and Yoda sends Luke into it to experience a vision. What is this place, and why is the Force strong there? Highly concentrated midichlorians? Why?