Christopher Vogler The Writers Journey
young Jedi knight Anakin Skywalker, and his corruption into the totally evil D a r t h
Vader. Continuing his exploration of father-son or mentor-student relationships,
in Episode I: The Phantom Menace ( 1 9 9 9 ) , Lucas begins with a young Obi-Wan training
under his wise master, Qui-Gon Jinn. Q u i - G o n and a galactic princess, Padmé
Amidala, find a brilliant, strong-willed nine-year-old boy, A n a k i n Skywalker, who
is a slave on the desert planet o f Tatooine where his son Luke Skywalker will later
be raised. T h e boy, unnaturally skilled in mechanics and piloting, seems to be the
fulfillment of a Jedi prophecy that a "Chosen O n e " will bring balance to the Force.
But already the seeds o f evil are present in the child, who has a quick temper and
is difficult to control. Only Yoda seems to notice something is wrong with the boy,
and warns that pride and anger may come to dominate in him.