Hello! I’ve had a mind to post an analysis post concerning the instances when a Jedi’s mandate conflicts with their feelings on the matter. The discussion below does include spoilers for Master & Apprentice by Claudia Gray (a 2019 novel). Working on subjects related to the novel has been a passion of mine for several years on Wookieepedia, and many of the novel’s locations and characters have been written up. Though it is a newer novel, Gray’s noted that she took inspiration from KOTOR to add some nice Easter eggs to the novel!
The premise of the novel is deceivingly simple at first: travel to Pijal, protect its princess, Fanry, and ratify a treaty on behalf of the Republic. A dissident group called the Opposition, the Republic claims, is attempting to prevent the treaty’s signing. Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi are sent to Pijal. First problem? Jinn’s just been invited to the Jedi Council, and if he accepts, he can no longer be Kenobi’s Master. After several years of struggling, their relationship is rocky at best. Gray attempts to characterize the two characters in such a way to be a natural part of their stories, to align with brief moments of emotion we see in The Phantom Menace. Why, then, would they go on a mission when their relationship is tenuous? A Jedi named Rael Averross, Dooku’s first apprentice, has requested Jinn be the one to come help. While both Averross and Jinn are Jedi who have worked together in the past, they have very different personalities and approaches to the Force and to morality, which is reflected in their actions and decisions on Pijal.
One of the key differences between Averross and Jinn is their attitudes towards politics and diplomacy. Averross is more comfortable navigating the complex political landscape of Pijal, and he is willing to compromise anything to protect the world’s princess. As a result, he allowed the Czerka Corporation to enslave Pijal’s citizens for forced labor. In his mind, protecting Fanry when he failed to protect his former Padawan, Nim Pianna, allows him to redeem himself of internal guilt. In contrast, Jinn is more focused on ideals and following the Force. He is less interested in inter-planet politics, but is horrified to see Averross’s support for many practices he considers cruel. He is often at odds with Averross's approaches, which he sees as being too compromised and lacking in moral clarity.
Skywalker: A Family at War includes an intriguing discussion on the dilemma here. Averross is unwilling to budge from his position, and as Pijal’s lord regent, he holds a lot of influence. He genuinely believes that allowing Czerka Corporation to run some aspects of the planet, even if undesirable, will allow the entire planet to prosper. Many citizens live on the world, and they’ve been shut out of progress for generations: the treaty being signed means the entire surrounding system could grow its economy. Meanwhile, Jinn has been tasked with signing a treaty that would codify the company’s abuse of Pijal’s citizens into law, and feels that he cannot. Citing his deep convictions against enslavement practices, Jinn refuses to sign the world’s treaty, angering Averross greatly. Bringing it back to a central point: what is right? The “Jedi’s mandate” is a topic heavily discussed in the novel, as Kenobi argues that it’s not their right to decide what their goals are on the mission— that the will of the Jedi Council, and the Republic, should be followed. Jinn, meanwhile, feels that the Jedi Council have become too insulated from injustice and sees flaws forming within the Republic. In this, he chooses to follow a higher calling to the Force.
Personally, I thought the novel’s portrayal of differing approaches to the Force and politics reflect the diversity of thought and practice within the Jedi Order, and their interactions on Pijal highlight the challenges that arise when different Jedi philosophies are brought together. Ultimately, both have the best of intentions but very different ways of displaying their care. I think this novel adds a lot of depth to Jinn, but also to Kenobi and how he struggled with being a Padawan in his early days. Jinn admits that he sees flaws in the Republic by the end of the mission, but yet, cannot see clearly enough what those flaws are until it’s too late. Master & Apprentice has long been one of my favorite Star Wars works, owing to its amount of character depth and narrative. Hope some of these thoughts are enjoyed, and may the Force be with you!
