Kunzig – Attraction of the Dark Side – Week 3 blog make-up.

The way I understand it, being on the Dark side is not defined by whether or not the character has joined forces with the Empire. It is defined by the possession and use of negative feelings such as anger, hatred, jealousy, or revenge. When a Jedi uses these negative feelings to fuel his powers or abilities, he is in effect using the Dark Force, which is more powerful than the Light Force and can therefore be very tempting.
Given this definition, while Luke has in my opinion never truly considered joining the Empire, he has most definitely slipped into the Dark Side in his efforts to fight Darth Vader. This is because he did not fight Vader with a pure heart, with nothing but the good of the galaxy in mind. He also fought Darth Vader out of hatred, anger and revenge, because he believed him to have killed his father. Real "Jedi knights do not give in to feelings of vengeance" (Pfeiffer 133), but Luke most certainly has, more than once.
One of the instances in which he fought with anger was during his training with Yoda, when he fought an illusion of Darth Vader. The second is when he fought him in person in Cloud City. However, this is also when he learns that Vader is actually his father, and I think this is what saved him – he lost all desire for vengeance since the man he thought had killed his father was his father, still alive. This gave him hope. Obviously he refused Darth Vader's offer to join the Dark Side, because that kind of thing doesn't just happen – a Jedi would have to be tempted into using the Dark Force repeatedly until the line between good and evil no longer matters to him.

Lando also slipped into the Dark Side for a moment, when he betrayed his old friend Han, delivering them to Darth Vader. He did so to save his city, which Vader had threatened, but the means to that end was betrayal, which brings him into the Dark Side. However, he was never fully on the Dark Side, and at some point, probably when he saw Han frozen in a block, he realized what he had done and joined the Rebellion.
Darth Vader is the final example of a character tempted by the power of the Dark Side. Unlike the others, he was deep in it before he was saved by his son, Luke. It was Luke's unwavering belief that there was still good in him, and finally seeing Luke being tortured by the Emperor, that made something click in Vader, and brought him out of the Dark Side in the end of the third movie.

Oria, Star Wars Episodes V & VI

            The biggest attraction to the dark side is the sheer power that comes along with joining.  Those who have joined the dark side use their anger, hatred, and rage to fuel their power.  It has been said that hate and anger are easy, while love, compassion, and patients take more effort.  It would be easy for any character to slip into the Dark Side for this very reason.  The Dark Side also presents a sense of freedom, which may seem desirable to some.  On the contrary, those who join wind up loosing more than they gain.  There are several characters that come into contact with the Dark Side.  In episodes V “The Empire Strikes Back” and VI “Return of the Jedi” the Dark Side tempts Luke on multiple occasions.  The moments when he comes into contact with the Dark Side are the moments where he faces his father.

         Yoda says, “A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense. Never for Attack.”  This is where the difference lies between Jedi and those on the Dark Side.  He warns Luke to practice control and concentration.  The moment that Luke allows his anger to over take him is the moment when Luke crosses over to the Dark Side. When Luke first arrives on Dagoba, he is skeptical that Yoda is the true master.  At first Luke resists the training; allowing his doubt and lack of faith to inhibit his ability.  This is the first moment where Luke comes in contact with an aspect of the Dark Side.  The Dark Side thrives off of negative emotions.  Even Yoda warns that his feelings may lead him to the Dark Side.  Towards the end of his time on Dagoba, Luke cuts his training short by running off to safe his friends.  He does so despite the countless warning from Yoda and Obi-Wan.

         Luke’s first encounter with Darth Vader in “The Empire Strikes Back” leaves him feeling lost and confused. As Luke confronts Darth Vader, he winds up clutching the railing for his life.  This is the moment when Darth Vader reveals that he is Luke’s father.  As Luke hangs on for his life, he is presented with a choice: join the dark side and rule along side his father, or fall to his death.  Throughout his whole life, Luke has longed for a relationship with his father.  However, he chooses to let go and fall than to join the Dark Side.

         Luke is put to the final test during the battle scene between Luke and Darth Vader at the end of “Return of the Jedi.”  Luke is presented in front of the Emperor and give an option: given into the hatred and anger he feels and join the Dark Side, or watch his friends perish in front of him.  Try a he might, there are moments where Luke gives in.  When he gives into his hatred and anger, he takes a step closer to the Dark Side.  He winds up battling against Darth Vader once again.  If he were to kill his father, Luke would forever be a part of the Dark Side.  He is pushed when Darth Vader mentions that he will go after Leia and Luke gives into the anger and fights back.  In the end however, Luke puts down his weapon and chooses to potentially die rather than joining the Dark Side.