The Lesson (Obi-Wan & Anakin)

For other uses, see The Lesson.

"The Lesson" is a comic story featuring Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker that was published in Star Wars (2020) 25. The story was written by Charles Soule, illustrated by Ramon Rosanas and Rachelle Rosenberg, and published by Marvel Comics on July 20, 2022.

Plot summary

On Coruscant in the Jedi Temple outside by the Uneti Tree, Jedi Padawan Anakin Skywalker and his Master Obi-Wan Kenobi reach for their lightsabers and prepare to duel for training, but before they can start, Anakin questions lightsabers and why they do what they're doing. As the two clash sabers against each other, Anakin asks why the lightsaber is the weapon of the Jedi and not any other weapon because the kyber crystals are so powerful and could make things such as spears of blasters. When he begins to suggest that he could build something new using a kyber crystal, Obi-Wan uses the Force to take Anakin's lightsaber from his hand, and recounts that he once thought the same as a Padawan. He had come up with the idea of two short-bladed sabers each attached to a thin chain, but when he proposed the idea to Qui-Gon, he only told Obi-Wan exactly what he's about to tell Anakin.

Obi-Wan informs Anakin that it's about how the Jedi wish to be seen, as they don't want to be powerful and only wish to stand tall against the dark. The chosen weapon of the Jedi reflects this, as they all wield the same one with minor variations, and while they could make kyber bombs or blasters, which do exist as such few weapons are sealed in the Archives, anyone can wield those weapons. However, very few can safely and skillfully wield a lightsaber and the Jedi want their opponents to know that they use a weapon that requires intention, training, precision, and choice.

As Obi-Wan tosses Anakin's lightsaber back to him, he explains that the weapon symbolizes the care with which they approach their gifts through the Force, and it reminds others that while they could do more, they very purposefully do not. They choose a weapon with limitations and difficulties as it can't be used to cause destruction, and every death or injury it inflicts must be precisely chosen, which tells the galaxy that the Jedi are not destroyers, but rather protectors. When Anakin brings up the fact that the Sith use them as well, Obi-Wan believes that this is because the Sith like to think that they can do anything the Jedi do, but better. However, they are wrong, and so Obi-Wan and Anakin ready themselves and prepare to go at their duel again.