Redemption of Anakin and other redemption stories (moved from Main)

[dumbledore11214]

> Alla: 
> > I also in a way find Snape's redemption from being DE to be strangely well, abstract in a same way.
> 
> Magpie:
> Or maybe the problem is that it's the opposite. I mean, Snape started out as an innocent kid who loved Lily. But then he turned into a DE who loved Lily. And then he got Lily killed, and wanted to make that up, so he did.
> 
> And that's all he did. That's why I don't really see it as redemptive. It's redemption in the most literal sense since he does pay back the crime he wanted to pay back, but it's just not a greater redemption that I can see. He continues to reject that, as we see in his relationships with other people, old and new.

Alla:

I am just curious what is your definition of greater redemption? I mean, I see Snape as making up for more than just killing Lily, but for being DE in general. I mean, it is not like he is trying to atone for his part in getting Lily killed while trying to continue DE activities on the other fronts? Or maybe I am totally misunderstanding you. I was just trying to say that to me his redemption did not work because I saw him and Harry as main conflict in his life, and to me he was not redeemed from that like at all (obviously if one thinks Snape did not need to be redeemed from that, it does not apply).

Obviously DE past is a huge part of him to, but as I said the reason why it feels so abstract to me is because I really did not see him doing anything bad as DE, except selling Potters for Voldemort.

And that in a way makes me agreeing with you, I guess. It is because we do not see Snape doing nothing bad as DE, his redemption feels to you as only making up for his part in Lily's death, yes? Oh boy, I think I am doing circular reasoning here. I guess I am know even more curious what is your definition of redeemed character. Pretty please?


> 
> Alla:
> > Zuco in Avatar was lovely.
> 
> Magpie:
> Ha. I remember writing a whole piece on him called "And THAT'S a redemption story!" He's like a whole different person, but at the same time clearly the person he was all along.

Alla:

Well, seems that we both love Zuco's redemption. Would it be fair to say then that you see redemption as character while remaining his core, at the same time changing in how he looks at the world, and people around him? I mean, I agree that Zuco changes significantly, becomes more open more, I don't know, joyful, understands what he really wants in life, etc and at the same time remains loyal as he always was and wanting to lead his nation, etc.

But is it the only type of redemption that works for you? I mean, Zuco is a teenager after all, yes he is a teenager in the show where kids have adults responsibilities, but what I am trying to say is that it must at least a little easier for him to realize that his father is a murderous maniac and pursue his own needs in the world?

It must be much harder to change completely for the adult like Snape?

Oh, but he came to Dumbledore when he was not that much older than Zuco. Hm, I seem to be doing arguing with myself part quite well, lol.