As seen in the Skywalker Saga films, two of the greatest Jedi Masters to ever live both went into a self-imposed exile.
First it was Yoda, who went into exile on Dagobah after the fall of Anakin Skywalker to the dark side and the collapse of the Jedi Order – until a young Jedi-to-be showed up in search of training. Similarly, Luke Skywalker went into exile on Ahch-To after the fall of Ben Solo to the dark side and the collapse of the new Jedi academy – until a young Jedi-to-be showed up in search of training. The poetry of these stories practically rhymes!
But a recent Star Wars comic fleshed out the similarities in even more detail through a look at Yoda’s exile. A ten-issue mini-series about Yoda was recently wrapped up, set during Yoda’s days on Dagobah but containing some flashbacks throughout his life. For the whole series run Yoda was trying to ignore someone talking to him through the Force, and in the penultimate issue (written by Marc Guggenheim) it’s revealed to be Obi-Wan Kenobi. Ben, as a Force ghost, speaks to Yoda, and Yoda confesses to his old friend the reason for his exile:
“I failed to see through Palpatine’s machinations. His corruption of the Senate. Of young Skywalker. And I failed to stop him when the moment called for it. The shadow that has fallen across the galaxy… my fault, it is. I have exiled myself here, not just for penance. I have removed myself from events… because without me, better off the galaxy is.”
That set up a cliffhanger into the final issue (written by Cavan Scott), where Ben makes Yoda enter the dark side cave to confront his fears – the past Jedi he failed, rising up to condemn him. But Yoda then has a flashback to another moment, in the High Republic era, where Yoda is reminded of something he had previously taught: “the greatest teacher, failure is.” This snaps him out of the fears and he emerges from the cave with renewed resolve, sending Ben to appear to Luke on Hoth – where Ben would direct Luke to seek out Yoda to continue his training.
The way the story connects to the rest of the saga is very satisfying, but it’s especially relevant as it connects to the similarities with Luke’s story. Yoda confesses to Kenobi that his exile was because of his failure, and because he thought the galaxy was better off without him. That’s the exact same reason for Luke’s exile, as he failed and thought the galaxy was better off without him and the Jedi Order. He was content to simply let the Jedi Order die, because he believed that was for the good of the galaxy. And it makes sense that both Masters would be deeply pained by grief, because they both knew what it was like to see apprentices rebel and turn to the dark side. “We are what they grow beyond,” Yoda would remind Luke. “That is the true burden of all masters.”
And that’s where this connects all the more strongly, not just with illusions but with direct reference, because what pulls Yoda out of his fears and grief is remembering an old lesson: “The greatest teacher failure is.” That’s precisely the lesson he imparts to Luke on Ahch-To, which helps pull Luke out of his fears and grief as well. To remember that being a Jedi Master isn’t about never failing, but learning from it and emerging all the stronger. Of course there will be moments, and people, that Yoda and Luke feel like they failed, but both they and their apprentices could learn from that failure. Strength doesn’t come through perfection, but perseverance, in clinging to the light no matter what.
Star Wars is cyclical, and the parallels between Yoda and Luke are significant, and they’re made all the more pronounced through this comic. It shows Yoda embrace his destiny once more, preparing to receive Luke to train him. Years later, Yoda will help Luke learn one final lesson, one Yoda had to learn the hard way too.
Star Wars Thoughts 