Anakin Skywalker’s journey to becoming Darth Vader is one filled with tragedy. By the end of the Revenge of the Sith novelization, Anakin is consumed by his emotions.
He’s angry, depressed, and haunted by the choices he made. His immense power can’t undo the past, and he’s filled with regret.
Despite his transformation into one of the most powerful Sith Lords, Anakin is left feeling broken and sorrowful over the irreversible path he has taken.
At the end of the novel, it’s clear that Anakin is deeply tormented by his decisions, realizing that he has sacrificed everything he once loved and stood for.
Table of Contents
The Weight of Anakin’s Regret
In the novelization of Revenge of the Sith, Anakin’s internal struggle is vividly detailed.
After his transformation into Darth Vader, he is overwhelmed by the enormity of his actions and their devastating consequences.
His choices led to the destruction of the Jedi Order, the death of Padmé, and his own physical and emotional torment.
1. A Storm of Anger and Depression
Anakin’s turn to the dark side was driven by his fear of losing Padmé and his desire for power. But these feelings were rooted in his very nature.
From a young age, Anakin exhibited a propensity for intense emotions. When he first met the Jedi Council, Yoda foresaw that Anakin’s fear could easily lead to anger and hatred.
This predisposition made him vulnerable to the emotional turmoil that would later define his journey.
As Anakin grew older, many events seemed to conspire against him, fueling his anger. He was denied the rank of Jedi Master, a rejection that stung deeply.
His relationship with Padmé became strained as she began to distrust him, a feeling that was exacerbated when Anakin realized she trusted Obi-Wan more. This sense of betrayal only added to his mounting anger.
At that time, Palpatine was the only one who seemed to truly believe in Anakin, nurturing his sense of importance and potential.
This trust made it easier for Anakin to fall under Palpatine’s influence and ultimately make the fateful decision to become Darth Vader.
The novel reveals that Anakin felt intense anger—anger at himself for being deceived by Palpatine, and anger at the galaxy for the path he felt forced to take.
This anger was intertwined with deep depression and regret, as he mourned the loss of everything he once held dear, including his mother and the friendship with Obi-Wan.
2. Trapped and Feeling Helpless
The most tragic aspect of Anakin’s regret is his sense of helplessness. Despite his powerful new identity as Darth Vader, he realized that he was more trapped than ever.
His physical transformation and the loss of Padmé left him feeling more broken and powerless than before.
The novelization captures this despair, showing a man who has gained immense power but lost his soul in the process.
In Return of the Jedi, this sense of regret and helplessness is further highlighted during the confrontation with Luke Skywalker.
When Luke tries to persuade Vader to come back to the light, Vader’s response, “It’s too late for me, son,” reveals a glimmer of regret.
This moment shows that beneath the mask of Darth Vader, Anakin still feels the weight of his past decisions.
If he weren’t regretful, he might not have even listened to Luke, but this exchange indicates that a part of him is still haunted by the choices he made and the path he took.
Conclusion
Anakin Skywalker’s regret over becoming Darth Vader is a profound aspect of his character arc.
The novelization of Revenge of the Sith provides a deeper insight into his internal struggle, revealing a man who is deeply angry and depressed over his choices.
Yet, despite his immense power, he is trapped by the very decisions that led him down the dark path, left with nothing but his profound sense of loss and brokenness.
The deaths of his mother and Padmé, along with the betrayal of his best friend, underscore the depth of his regret and the tragedy of his fall.