In the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, Obi-Wan abandons his Jedi ways and buries his lightsaber. After his battle with Anakin and the defeat of the Order, he was in a state of despair. Yet, Obi-Wan also swore to protect Luke. What explains this contradiction?
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Why Did Obi-Wan Forsake the Force and Bury His Lightsaber?
In Episode 1 of the Obi-Wan show, we find out that Kenobi had buried his lightsaber in the sands of Tatooine. This scene shows him digging his lightsaber up and Anakin’s, which serves as an indication that he has separated from the Jedi Order. Why did he do this if he was meant to protect Luke?
The main reason is that Obi-Wan was trying to hide from those who would be trying to find him. This article supports that idea and indicates how Ben would bide his time, “keep his head down,” and then help Luke train once he was older. Fans also point out how Obi-Wan “buried it to keep it safe and secret” and conceal his true identity.
This reason aligns with the official Star Wars account that Kenobi hid his lightsaber “to mask his true identity from Jedi hunters.” The logic is that if he had to bury it and distance himself from the Force to prevent being hunted down.
However, another reason for Obi-Wan burrying his lightsaber was due to him being “grief stricken,” as another fan commented on Reddit, from what happened with Anakin and the loss of almost all the Jedi. Obi-Wan was too distraught to remain connected to his Jedi past.
This second reason is compelling too because we can even see how distressed Obi-Wan was during his battle with Anakin. Afterward, when he first arrived on Tatooine, he visited Shmi Skywalker’s grave, indicating both grief and guilt over what had happened to both Shmi and Anakin.
Ultimately, both ideas work together to explain Obi-Wan’s actions. Yet, what does that mean for protecting Luke? How could he still do that if he had buried his lightsaber and left the Force behind?
How Could Obi-Wan Still Protect Luke?
Obi-Wan could still protect Luke for the simple reason that he remained alive. If he had chosen a path with his lightsaber and retained the Force, Vader and Sidious, or the Inquisitors, would have discovered him. That would have led to him perishing and no means to protect Luke.
By taking the Barash Vow, Obi-Wan actually commits himself more to protecting Luke. He purposefully goes into hiding on Tatooine to atone for what had happened. His “penance” is to “re-center” himself in “the Force” for his “past mistakes” and thereby become more capable of defending Luke.
Protecting Luke was part of Ben’s penance, but we can also see how Obi-Wan’s purpose on Tatooine was to fix “his relationship with the Force.” Without his restored connection to the Force, Obi-Wan could not protect Luke. The two objectives then are intertwined.
As this video contributes, Obi-Wan would need to draw on a valuable Jedi lesson to complete his atonement and protection–patience. Kenobi would have to wait and gather his patience for about 20 years to monitor Luke’s progression to pilot and Jedi apprentice.
In the meantime, Obi-Wan checks in on Luke and the Lars family and still knows how to use a blaster to deal with the common thuggery on Tatooine. If the need arises sooner rather than later, he could also retrieve his lightsaber.
Obi-Wan’s Commitment to Luke
When Obi-Wan buried his lightsaber and seemingly distanced himself from the Force, he did it to protect Luke and atone for his past mistakes. If he had not stowed away his weapon and actively used the Force, it would lead his pursuers to him. With the Barash Vow, he had taken on a patient struggle to bring Luke into the Jedi Order and save the galaxy.