Other heroic figures include wise old Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi; the even wiser, much older Yoda; Lando Calrissian, once the traitorous administrator of the mining facility in the Cloud City, now a Rebel general; even Wedge Antilles, the brave fighter pilot who survived offensives against two Death Stars.
So, in 1997, when my oldest son Bryan was about 3 1/2, we took him to see the re-releases of the original trilogy. Who would he identify with, Luke or Han? What weapon would he wield, a light saber or a blaster?
Well, he picked a light saber, but not as Luke or as Obi-Wan, but as Darth Vader. That's right, my little boy wanted to be Darth Vader. Of course, his grandma found out and bought him the coolest costume. It had a cape and a whole-head rubber mask. It's been three years, and my son still has the costume and can still fit in it. Well, almost.
Back then when he wore the full costume--one-piece black body suit with miscellaneous buttons, dials and lights overlaying the chest; long-flowing cape; black boots and gloves; and, most importantly, the rubber mask--he was Darth Vader.
We'd watch the videos, and he'd insist on getting all dressed up. He had a flip-out red light saber that he'd wave around. He'd act out all the Darth Vader parts. I didn't know whether to be horrified or amused.
I mean, Darth Vader? Why'd my kid want to be the biggest, scariest, most intimidating character in Star Wars? Outside the costume, Bryan was the sweetest little guy you'd ever meet. But when the mask was on, look out. He didn't talk. He just tried to intimidate you with a glare and point out where he wanted you to go. I was supposed to be Princess Leia, and he'd lock me up in the detention block (his bedroom). I was not to leave my cell (his bed) until instructed to do so.
Was playing out this scenario encouraging his imagination or creating a monster? Did his choice to imitate the villain reflect badly on me as a mother? I decided, no, it didn't. He was a good kid with a good heart who got caught up in the Star Wars fervor, just like his mom and dad.
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