So, I just recently presented the entire STAR WARS saga (so far) to my 6th grade students. It was a huge success, and believe it or not, I picked up some new things--despite having seen the films dozens of times.
On the one hand, a lack of attachment allows a Jedi to put their mission first without having to worry about the safety or welfare of loved ones. This has much in common with the concept of superhero secret identities. If one has nothing to lose (or nothing known), one cannot be as easily compromised by one's enemies.
But on the other hand, is it realistic to expect anyone to be 100% selfless and without attachment? And if Anakin was allowed to have a normal relationship with Padme, couldn't he have gone to the Jedi Council for help with his visions? Maybe he doesn't end up going to the Dark Side if this is the case.
And what of Luke? He and Leia wouldn't even exist if not for Anakin's attachment to Padme. Clearly there are upsides to this attachment.
Both Anakin and his son Luke struggle with this issue--probably due in no small part to their Jedi training starting so late in life. Both disobey their masters in regards to attachment and suffer serious emotional and physical injuries (right hands) because of it.
But, ultimately it is Luke's attachment to his father that saves Vader from the Dark Side as he disobeys Yoda's and Kenobi's orders to kill the Dark Lord. What's more is that Vader's love for his son saves Luke from Palpatine and is probably the biggest reason he is able to return from the Dark Side and become Anakin Skywalker again.
So, attachment causes pain for the Jedi, but also is the reason the Force is brought back into balance.
Can't wait to see what's coming in 2015 with Episode 7.
