Canon vs Fanon: Padmé Amidala

padawanlost:

this is an answer to this question | for @leia1998

As i was thinking about this i realized Padmé’s
situation is different from the other two main characters. Canon!Padmé is
pretty consistent in term of who she is and how people perceive her.

Fanon!Padmé
is not as consistent because the fandom tend to hyperfocus only one of her many
characteristics. Fanon!Padmé is either the most compassionate being in the galaxy
or a “cold bitch”, she either cares about everyone or no one, she is the wisest
character or she is dumb as a rock, she is romantic or she is fake, she is in
love or she is brainwashed, etc.  

Of all the
three characters, Padmé’s characterization is the one that seems to matter the
least in term of how the fandom perceives her. Canon seems to matter very little
because bias rules where this character is concerned. Padmé is no longer a character, she’s a symbol, a representation
of whatever the fandom wants her to be. She’s either a great female character
or complete trash.

Since accepting
Padmé for who she is (a flawed, human character) is so unpopular and because
both sides of the equation (pros and antis) make wild claims about her (she is
perfect or she is evil incarnated), I’d like to take this opportunity to offer a
broad view of Padmé as a character. A character that can be kind, compassionate,
loving just as she can be privileged, entitled, arrogant, etc. Like any well developed characters, she is a
mix of good and bad qualities.

“And where
else should I be?” Padmé demanded, not
caring that her raised voice was attracting the attention of three
apprentice healers scurrying about their mysterious Jedi business. Not caring
that she was perilously close to making
a scene, behaving in a manner unbecoming to a former Queen of Naboo, a member
of the Galactic Senate, a politician with a very public face. I am not
leaving this place before they let me see him. Vokara Che’s expression
hardened. “If you’re not comfortable with receiving Jedi treatment, Senator, I
can see you escorted to a medcenter or—” “You’re
not escorting me anywhere! I want—” [Karen Miller’s The Clone Wars: Wild
Space]

Anakin
laughed, too, but sobered quickly. He gave her another of his intent stares and
said suddenly, “I’m going to marry you.” Amidala
could not help laughing again. A slave boy, marrying the Queen of Naboo?
But here she was only Padmé, she reminded herself. At least Anakin did not seem
put out by her involuntary laughter.
[Patricia C. Wrede’s Episode I: The Phantom Menace]

The way [Padmé]
ran to Anakin, so gravely wounded in that cavern. The tenderness in her eyes, her touch. Her fierce protection of him on the journey back to Coruscant. How she ignored her own pain for his. And how
she fought to see him, here in the Temple. [Karen Miller’s The Clone Wars: Wild
Space]

“What
happened to Anakin’s mother, Padmé?” The question jolted her, unpleasantly. She
hadn’t realized [Obi-wan] knew anything was wrong. “What happened? She died”. And that jolted him. Good. [Karen
Miller’s The Clone Wars: Wild Space]

“Padmé,” [Bail]
said as he reached her, then pulled her aside into a convenient alcove. His
dark eyes were anxious. “I don’t know if you’ve heard, but Obi-Wan Kenobi is
one of the bombings’ casualties.” The
lies came so easily now. “No! I didn’t—oh, that’s awful, Bail. How badly is
he hurt?” [Karen Miller’s The Clone Wars: Wild Space]

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