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]
Etiqueta: Canon vs fanon
Canon vs Fanon: Anakin Skywalker
this is an answer to this question | for @leia1998
Canon
Canon:
canon!Anakin is reserved and most people considered him mysterious/sad/burdened.
Only a few people in canon ever saw him smile or laugh. He is incredibly intelligent
and hardworking. Anakin is known to be awkward and not having the best social
skills. He often described as extremely generous, compassionate, patient,
gentle and forgiving. I think the best to way to understand a character is to
look at how they are perceived by other characters.“I’m not
speaking of your power, Anakin, but of your heart. The greatness in you is a
greatness of spirit. Courage and
generosity, compassion and commitment.
These are your virtues,” Obi-Wan said gently. “You have done great things,
and I am very proud of you.” [Matthew Stover’s Revenge of the Sith]“A man who
knew exactly what he wanted and was honest
enough to simply ask for it; a man strong
enough to unroll his deepest feelings before her without fear and without shame. A man who had loved her for a
decade, with faithful and patient heart,
while he waited for the act of destiny he was sure would someday open her own
heart to the fire in his. [Matthew Stover’s Revenge of the Sith]“[Anakin]
is not a perfect man: he is prideful,
and moody, and quick to anger—but these faults only make her love him the more,
for his every flaw is more than balanced by the greatness within him, his capacity for joy and cleansing laughter,
his extraordinary generosity of spirit,
his passionate devotion not only to
her but also in the service of every living being.” [Matthew Stover’s Revenge
of the Sith]“He thought
of how unflinchingly loyal Anakin was
to anyone he considered a friend.” [Matthew Stover’s Revenge of the Sith]“Ferus did
not allow for the goodness of Anakin’s
heart. He did not see how hard
Anakin tried. He did not know that Anakin
questioned himself all the time.” [Jude Watson’s The Changing of the Guard]It’s not
just Skywalker’s rank that makes us give him one hundred percent. It’s because he treats us with respect, and he
puts himself on the line with us.” [The Clone Wars by Karen Traviss]“He feels too much, too keenly. Maybe
that’s what happens when you’ve got the highest midi-chlorian count in Jedi
history. Maybe that’s the trade-off. You
feel everything, so you’re brilliant. You feel everything, and it hurts. [Karen
Miller’s Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth]“Sometimes [Ahsoka]
even deliberately flouted his wishes. Anything to break him free of sorrow or frustration or some bleak memory he refused
to share. Anything to let him know, Hey, what you did then? That was
stupid. But mostly she kept her fears for him to herself, because all his bright and burning passion for justice, his
reckless courage, his hunger for victory and his refusal to accept defeat—they
were what made him Anakin. He wouldn’t be Anakin without his feelings. [Karen Miller’s Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth]Obi-Wan
stifled a sigh. Oh Anakin. This was about his childhood. Again. About the indelible fingerprints slavery had left on
his soul and his psyche. [Karen Miller’s Clone
Wars Gambit: Stealth]The fear and dread in her face eased, just a little. “You’re a very sweet young man, Anakin
Skywalker.” [Karen Miller’s Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth][Anakin]
humbles me, sometimes. He makes me feel small. He can’t see a broken thing
without wanting to fix it. [Karen Miller’s Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth]“I don’t
know,” she said, floundering. “I can’t say I’ve ever given the Jedi much
thought. I mean, not as individuals. I never expected to meet one—let alone
two. I don’t tend to go places where your skills are needed. But—well—you’re gentle.” [Karen Miller’s Clone
Wars Gambit: Stealth]Fanon
Fanon!Anakin
always laughing and cracking jokes (with complete strangers). He’s dumb, lazy
and a ladies man. He is often described as vain, incompetent, selfish and sometimes
cruel. This Anakin is motivated mostly by greed, wanting power only for
himself. If Vader and a dudebro had a baby, that baby would be fanon!Anakin. it’s
also important to mention there are subgenres to this. To name a few, we have Damien!Anakin,
fuckboy!Anakin, god!Anakin (he is responsible
or EVERYTHING that happens in the galaxy) and incompetent!Anakin (NOTHING is
his fault).
Canon vs Fanon: Obi-wan Kenobi
this is an answer to this question | for @leia1998
Canon
Canon!Obi-wan
hides his heart. He’s capable of caring deeply for his friends and even
completely strangers but he doesn’t show it in a way they can recognize. Thanks
to his Jedi training, Obi-wan built a lot of walls, and these walls keep him
from acting on his feelings. His relationship with Anakin helped him put some
of them down but, usually, unless he was under great stress, he
never allows himself to be guided by his emotions. If Anakin was motivated by
emotions, Obi-wan was motivated by duty (to jedi Order and to himself). Canon!
Obi-wan cares, loves, suffers, despairs but he doesn’t show it so people don’t
see it. they only see the consummate Jedi: stoic, calm, rational, focused, etc.What Obi-wan
feels:Obi-Wan
reached out, then hesitated. He felt a
strong urge not to wake the boy, to let him sleep like this forever, to forever
anticipate a great adventure, forever dream of personal triumph and joy.
This feeling held too much sentiment and weakness to be allowed, but he allowed
it nevertheless. This must be how a
father feels, looking down on his son, worried about an uncertain future,
Obi-Wan thought. I would hate to see him
fail. But I would hate far more to lose
this boy. I would almost rather freeze time here, and freeze myself with it,
than face that. [Greg Bear’s Rogue Planet]Anakin was liked by the other students, but he had no close friends. He
was not loved. Obi-Wan told himself that Anakin’s gifts naturally set him
apart. But in his heart, he grieved for
Anakin’s loneliness. [Jude Watson’s Jedi Quest: The Way of the Apprentice]“I just…” Anakin stopped. He took a ragged breath. “I thought you would
be proud of me.” I am proud of you. Obi-Wan
wanted to say the words. They were true. He was proud of so much in Anakin. But
now was not the time to tell him that. Or was it? [Jude Watson’s Jedi Quest: The School of Fear]The man he
faced was everything Obi-Wan had devoted his life to destroying: Murderer.
Traitor. Fallen Jedi. Lord of the Sith. And here, and now, despite it
all… Obi-Wan still loved him. [Matthew Stover’s Revenge of the Sith]Obi-Wan
felt as if someone had knotted his insides. He had failed his apprentice and
closest friend. Anakin was suffering,
and the only balm he offered were Jedi platitudes. His body heaved a
stuttering breath. He had his mouth open to speak when the crew chief
interrupted.[ James Luceno’s Labyrinth of evil]What
Obi-wan shows:“[Ahsoka]
shows great promise, Anakin,” said Obi-Wan, glancing at him. “The small,
scrappy ones often turn out the best, you know.” And was that a typical Obi-Wan compliment? Oblique. Off-handed. Never
effusive. I think it was. [Karen Miller’s Wild Space]Obi-Wan’s
gaze warmed. “As you do, Padawan. You never give less than your best. I’m proud of the Jedi you have become.”
Anakin was moved. His Master so rarely
spoke this way. “Thank you, Master.” [Jude Watson. The Final Showdown]It was
unkind of him to say it, but [Obi-wan]
had no time for kindness. He needed to break Anakin’s inconvenient bond with Durd’s captive scientist before it tightened
any further. Before he completely lost sight of their goal. Their duty. [Karen Miller’s Clone Wars
Gambit: Stealth]He had
thought for a moment on Azure that Obi-Wan had loved Siri. He thought he’d seen
it in his Master’s eyes after she had died. But Obi-Wan had stood over the man
who had killed her and spared him. If he had loved Siri, could he have done
that? Of course, it was what a Jedi should do. But the way Obi-Wan had spoken had been so measured. With a temperament like
that, it was impossible to love, Anakin was sure. [Jude Watson’s Secrets of
the Jedi][Obi-wan]’s face was pale; his eyes
were darkened with fatigue and pain and
something else. Despair? No. It can’t be. Jedi don’t feel things like that. At
least … not this Jedi. [Karen Miller’s Wild Space]So cool, he was. Positively indifferent. Anyone
would think he spoke of a mere acquaintance. But she knew better. [Karen Miller’s Wild
Space][Padmé]
couldn’t help shivering, his voice was
so cold. This was the Obi-Wan who could reduce Anakin to chastened silence.
Almost to tears. [Karen Miller’s Wild Space]Fanon
Fanon!Obi-wan
is the mom-friend. He’s loving, caring, friendly and, more important, he’s great
at expressing emotions. He’s always hugging people, cooking for them, spoiling
them. He’s the ultimate nice guy. Fanon!Obi-wan has no real flaws, because
usually everything is someone else’s fault and his main function is to fix everyone and
everything. He’s the wisest, kindest, most handsome, most charming, most
understanding, most powerful, most loving, sweetest, friendliest guy you will
ever meet and he shows it you when you meet him.
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