Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars universe. As a Jedi Master, he is known for his wisdom, skills with a lightsaber, and commitment to upholding peace and justice in the galaxy. However, even the wisest and most powerful Jedi have fears. In Obi-Wan’s case, his greatest fear stems from his past failures and his anxiety about the future of the Jedi Order.
Fear of Failing Anakin Skywalker
Obi-Wan’s apprentice Anakin Skywalker was prophesied to bring balance to the Force. As Anakin’s master, Obi-Wan took on the great responsibility of training him in the ways of the Jedi. However, Obi-Wan’s worst fear is that he failed as Anakin’s teacher. He worries that he did not properly guide Anakin, leading the young Jedi to be seduced by the dark side and become Darth Vader. Obi-Wan feels deep regret and takes personal responsibility for not preventing Anakin’s fall to evil.
In the prequel films, we see Obi-Wan struggle with training the volatile, emotional Anakin. He tries to instill wisdom and restraint in his headstrong pupil, but Anakin consistently defies the Jedi Council’s wishes. Despite Obi-Wan’s efforts, Anakin surrenders to rage, fear, pride, and a desire for power. This leads to horrific tragedies, including Anakin slaughtering young Jedi trainees and pledging loyalty to the Sith. Obi-Wan is devastated that the Chosen One he was entrusted with mentoring became a force for evil, not good.
Obi-Wan’s failure with Anakin haunts him for decades. He lives in exile on Tatooine watching over infant Luke Skywalker, Vader’s son. Obi-Wan hopes he can guide Luke to stay true to the light side, unlike his father. However, Obi-Wan’s underlying fear is that he will repeat past mistakes and fall short as a teacher once more. The weight of disappointing his Jedi forebears by not redeeming Anakin lingers over everything Obi-Wan does.
Fear of the Jedi Order’s Destruction
Another one of Obi-Wan’s deepest anxieties is that the Jedi Order will be completely wiped out. As one of the last surviving Jedi after Order 66, Obi-Wan witnesses firsthand the near-extinction of the ancient peacekeeping force. For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights protected the galaxy as guardians of peace, justice, and the Force. To see their destruction is profoundly disturbing for Obi-Wan.
Under Emperor Palpatine, the Sith orchestrate the annihilation of the Jedi Order. Obi-Wan sees the Jedi Temple ransacked, with countless wise Jedi Masters slain by clones. He fights Anakin turned Sith Lord Darth Vader, who helps slaughter their former comrades. It is a devastating betrayal. Obi-Wan and Yoda are some of the only Jedi to survive the genocidal purge.
As a devote pupil of the Order’s traditions and ideals, Obi-Wan fears he will be the last true Jedi. The wisdom and heritage of thousands of years could die with him. The Jedi’s irreplaceable knowledge of the Force and role as galactic peacekeepers may be lost forever. Obi-Wan tries to pass on Jedi teachings as a mentor to Luke Skywalker. However, with Imperial oppression dominating the galaxy, Obi-Wan worries the Jedi may never recover to restore balance and justice.
Fear of Losing the Light Side of the Force
As a Jedi Master, Obi-Wan draws strength from the light side of the Force. He relies on its guidance to show him the right path and give him peace. However, the rise of the dark side-wielding Sith creates turbulence and chaos in the Force. Obi-Wan is fearful that the darkness will extinguish the light, upending the Force’s balance entirely.
Obi-Wan can sense the dark side growing in power as Darth Sidious takes over the Republic. More and more, the Force feels obscured by murky shadows making it difficult for Obi-Wan to connect with the light. He worries he will lose his ability to use the light side of the Force if darkness consumes the galaxy under Sith rule.
Losing a clear sense of the Force’s light side guidance would be devastating for Obi-Wan and any Jedi’s ability to act as a force for good. The light side gives Jedi clarity, insight, and power to protect the innocent. It upholds moral virtues like mercy, wisdom, and peace. Obi-Wan is afraid that the light will be snuffed out leaving only Cruelty, fear, hate, and aggression in the Force’s wake.
Fear of Confronting Darth Vader Again
Engaging in one final battle with Darth Vader is one of Obi-Wan’s greatest concerns about the future. Facing his fallen apprentice and friend is an ominous prospect that Obi-Wan dreads but sees as inevitable.
Obi-Wan feels regret and responsibility for not preventing Anakin’s turn to the dark side. Fighting Vader will force Obi-Wan to fully confront the consequences of Anakin becoming a Sith Lord. The evil deeds that Vader has done will be clear evidence of Obi-Wan’s failure as a mentor.
In addition, Obi-Wan is unsure if he is strong enough to defeat Vader and the dark side. He lost their duel on Mustafar when Anakin first transformed into Vader. With the dark side’s growing power, Vader has only grown stronger since then. Obi-Wan is not confident he can best his former apprentice in combat again. He may lose the duel – or even his life.
Finally, Obi-Wan fears that killing Vader may be the only way to stop him. This would mean destroying Anakin completely, which would be heartbreaking. Despite Vader’s evils, Obi-Wan hopes that a glimmer of Anakin may still remain. Ending his fallen friend’s life would tear at Obi-Wan’s soul.
Confronting Fears on the Death Star
When facing Darth Vader for the final time on the Death Star, Obi-Wan confronts all of these fears directly. He sees the full extent of Anakin’s transformation into a murderous Sith loyal only to evil. In their duel, Obi-Wan realizes Vader has grown more powerful in the dark side. Defeating Vader in combat proves impossible. When struck down, Obi-Wan warns Vader that he will become more powerful in death than as a Jedi. His ultimate self-sacrifice illuminates Obi-Wan’s path forward:
- Letting go of fears and past regrets
- Accepting he did his best to guide Anakin
- Surrendering his fate to the will of the Force
- Believing Luke and the light can conquer the darkness
Obi-Wan shifts from anxiety about Vader to faith in Luke to redeem him. He transcends the pain of the Jedi Order’s destruction. By overcoming these fears, Obi-Wan gains deeper wisdom. His final noble acts epitomize the Jedi ideals of selflessness, inner peace, and seeing the hope in darkness. Even in death, Obi-Wan finds purpose guiding Luke as a spirit, not with fear but with acceptance and renewal of purpose.
Conclusion
Obi-Wan’s greatest fears stem from trauma over his apprentice Anakin turning evil and the Jedi Order being decimated. He dreads being unable to stop Darth Vader and the Sith from corrupting the Force’s balance. However, in confronting Vader one last time with courage and clarity, Obi-Wan overcomes his anxieties. By letting go of fear and regret, he embraces the hope of redemption. Obi-Wan finds deeper wisdom and faith in the power of light over darkness. Even in death, he continues his vital work guiding Luke Skywalker to one day restore peace and justice to the galaxy.