I was thinking about Star Wars AUs tonight, specifically those where Luke is raised by Vader. It occurred to me that, in this situation, I could see a lot of similarities in parenting style between Vader and John Winchester (apart from the Vader-being-evil thing, of course). No, hear me out.
Both are characters whose defining moment is the loss of their wife. This loss is the single most powerful driving force - no pun intended - in their lives. Both are devoted to destroying those who have hurt their family. Both have little tolerance of physical weakness. Neither encourage disagreement. Both appear isolated from 'normal' society. Both tend to be rather black-and-white in their views, especially of good & evil. John clearly impressed his moral universe - demons bad, humans good - on his children early. Vader tried to do the same, the first time he was face to face with Luke. Both want their children to carry on in their footsteps. And, arguably, both think they are acting for the greater good.
Before I get slaughtered by the John Winchester fen, let me be clear that I am not equating John with Vader, nor do I think he was an OMGEVOL!parent. I just think that, in this situation, parent!Vader could be a little like parent!John, amped up to the max.
OK, I'm extrapolating a bit here, and some of these points are debatable depending on your view of the characters, but still. Not a complete stretch?
And now I really, really need to go to bed. Stupid Olympics.
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deirdre_c, I think I need your Supernatural/Star Wars icon!)
Both are characters whose defining moment is the loss of their wife. This loss is the single most powerful driving force - no pun intended - in their lives. Both are devoted to destroying those who have hurt their family. Both have little tolerance of physical weakness. Neither encourage disagreement. Both appear isolated from 'normal' society. Both tend to be rather black-and-white in their views, especially of good & evil. John clearly impressed his moral universe - demons bad, humans good - on his children early. Vader tried to do the same, the first time he was face to face with Luke. Both want their children to carry on in their footsteps. And, arguably, both think they are acting for the greater good.
Before I get slaughtered by the John Winchester fen, let me be clear that I am not equating John with Vader, nor do I think he was an OMGEVOL!parent. I just think that, in this situation, parent!Vader could be a little like parent!John, amped up to the max.
OK, I'm extrapolating a bit here, and some of these points are debatable depending on your view of the characters, but still. Not a complete stretch?
And now I really, really need to go to bed. Stupid Olympics.
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deirdre_c, I think I need your Supernatural/Star Wars icon!)
