Warning: contains spoilers from Star Wars #31!Legendary Jedi Knight Star Wars fans might think. The lightsaber is undoubtedly the most iconic weapon in the Star Wars universe, originally described by Ben Kenobi as "an elegant weapon from a more civilized age." However, as well-known and respected as the weapon has become for fans of the franchise, the galaxy's greatest hero Luke Skywalker considers them surprisingly expendable.
In Star Wars #31 by Charles Soule and Andrés Genolet, Luke has found himself in a situation where he could end up a lightsaber-impervious droid army: a book from the Sacred Jedi Texts. He tells her "I can be a Jedi without a lightsaber. I can find another one someday, if I have to. I'm not even thinking about that right now." To Luke, lightsabers are easily replaceable, and he doesn't seem to feel much attachment to his 'saber, despite it becoming a symbol of hope to the entire Rebellion.
Luke Skywalker Doesn't Care About Lightsabers
Given their symbolic meaning in Jedi teaching, it would make sense to assume that the warriors would regard them with a sense of awe, treasuring their personal 'sabers. Luke voicing indifference about his lightsaber completely changes the game on how fans view these ancient Jedi weapons. After all, Luke's moment of losing his original lightsaber following his battle on Bespin with his father, Vader, attacking him was deemed by many fans as the ultimate turning point for his character. It was a time where he was able to make a new path for himself with a new lightsaber and not follow in his father's footsteps. The fact that he likely didn't see the loss as anything important is huge, and informs several moments in the franchise.
Last Jedi's Controversial Rejection Makes More Sense
What's even more fascinating about this reveal is that it explains the controversial choice in The Last Jedi where Luke throws away his old lightsaber after Rey hands it to him. Many fans viewed it as disrespectful to his character to see him toss something so important away - a rejection of his identity as a Jedi. However, it seems he never viewed it as crucial to that role. The lightsaber was ultimately a tool. Indeed, Luke throwing away his lightsaber is now easier to see as him rejecting the need for violence or his personal intervention, since he explicitly understands that he can be a Jedi whether he has a lightsaber or not. In both cases, Luke instead views the Sacred Jedi texts as essential to the continuing Jedi line, valuing them far above his weapon.
While Luke's opinion on lightsabers may come as a shock to fans, it's still an insightful way to further explore his character and better pinpoint how he develops throughout the Star Wars timeline. For years, lightsabers were viewed as the key weapon of a Jedi Knight, acting as symbols of the Order itself. However, Luke Skywalker doesn't agree - lightsabers are tools used by Jedi, but they don't define them; a belief that's actually far more loyal to Star Wars' overriding philosophy.
Star Wars #31 is now available from Marvel Comics!
