Midi-chlorians
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Midi-chlorians (also spelled "midi-clorians" or "midichlorians") are mysterious organisms in the fictional Star Wars universe, first mentioned in the prequel trilogy. They are microscopic life-forms that reside within the cells of almost all living things and communicate with the Force. Midi-chlorians comprise a collective consciousness and intelligence, forming links between everything living and the Force. They are symbionts with all other living things; that is, without them, life could not exist. The Jedi have learned how to listen to and coordinate the midi-chlorians. If they quiet their minds, they can hear the midi-chlorians speaking to them, telling them the will of the Force. In order to be a Jedi or a Sith, one must have a high concentration of midi-chlorians in one's cells. This idea is somewhat similar to 17th-century philosopher Gottfried Leibniz's theory of monads—infinitesimal elementary particles that exist as something of an amalgam of matter and consciousness (termed "apperception").
The word "midi-chlorian" appears to be a blend of "mitochondrion" and "chloroplast", two organelles found in real cells and thought to have evolved from bacteria as endosymbionts inside other cells, as purported in the endosymbiotic theory. Creator George Lucas has indeed stated that the midi-chlorians are based on the endosymbiotic theory, and it appears that in the story of Anakin Skywalker, he wanted to create a more modern "virgin birth" in the Star Wars saga that was as much based in "science" (albeit fictional) as in philosophy and religion, with the mythic "givers of life" being microscopic life-forms, rather than gods.
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[edit] Criticism
Midi-chlorians were extremely controversial among fans when their existence was first revealed in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. They were never mentioned in the original trilogy, and many fans believed they diluted the spiritual aspect of Star Wars by making the connection to the Force biological rather than mystical. However, it may have already been established in the original trilogy that the Force was genetic (through heredity) and passed down through families. Some argue that this was intentionally jarring; a way to imply that the Jedi Order of the time had become so bureaucratic that even one's potential in the ways of the Force was measured by a single statistic. Indeed, it would be only after the events of Episode III that one sees surviving Jedi explaining the Force in mythical terms, although Lucas insists that midi-chlorians were not mentioned in the original trilogy simply because he did not want to complicate the notion of Force too much at that time.
To further complicate the matter, several novels printed before the prequels came out had similarly carried the suggestion that sensitivity to the force was a biological phenomenon. In Jedi Search, Lando Calrissian carries out a search for potential Jedi for Luke's new Academy by using a device that can supposedly detect affinity to the force. In The Thrawn Trilogy, two organisms are mentioned, the ysalimiri and the vornskrs, that have 'evolved' the ability to use or block the force in a predator-prey relationship. While the vornskrs have evolved the ability in order to hunt, the ysalimiri have responded with the ability to generate 'force bubbles' in which the force cannot be used. Novels then printed after the sequels in the New Jedi Order series, would reinforce this basis in biology by introducing and describing beings resistant to the force: the Yuuzhan Vong and the voxyn.
It has also been suggested that there are two schools of thought among the Republic's Jedi. On one hand, Qui-Gon Jinn's school would state that the Force is biologically caused by the existence of midichlorians, hence the reliance on Anakin's blood analysis to measure his ability with the Force. On the other hand, Yoda's school, which is the dominant school in the Jedi Council, would state that the Force is purely a mystical interconnection between all things ("Here, between you…me…the tree…the rock…everywhere! Yes, even between this land and that ship!" he teaches Luke in Episode V) and that midi-chlorians are at most a consequence of the ability with the Force, hence the reliance of the Council on true tests of Anakin's ability with the Force, even though Qui-Gon has certified the large number of midi-chlorians in his blood. It is already known that Qui-Gon, like his master Count Dooku, is a pariah among the Jedi, so it wouldn't be surprising if he had a slightly different view of the Force than the dominant theory. However, if this were the case, it could be expected that Qui-Gon's apprentice, Obi-Wan Kenobi, would subscribe to his master's school of thought. Rather, his explanation of the Force to Luke leans toward the mystical: "It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together."
[edit] Midi-chlorians and the Chosen One
It was foretold in an ancient prophecy that a chosen one would appear, imbued with an abundance of midi-chlorians, a being strong with the Force and destined to alter it forever. Anakin Skywalker was thought to be this being. His cells had the highest concentration of midi-chlorians ever before seen in a lifeform. He was conceived by the midi-chlorians; thus Anakin was born without the assistance of a male. Supreme Chancellor Palpatine (alias Darth Sidious) greatly influenced Anakin, tending to the dark fires within him and converting him to the evil order of the Sith as Darth Vader. Anakin eventually fought a battle with his former friend and mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi. During this duel, Anakin's body was ignited due to his proximity to a river of molten lava. Due to the tremendous amount of damage to his body, Anakin was fitted with a black suit that functioned as a life support system, completing his physical transformation into the fearsome character of the later episodes. Since midi-chlorians are carried in living beings' bloodstreams, it is arguable that the massive blood loss Skywalker sustained due to his injuries that have led him to be far less powerful as a cyborg than as being full flesh and blood. It may also be that Skywalker suffered no apparent loss of power resulting from his loss of an arm to Count Dooku; in fact, he quickly became even more powerful and a short time later was able to defeat and kill Dooku. But this was because he trained even more than before, greatly learning the power of patience and concentration. Therefore the loss of his arm did in fact have an effect on his powers; we simply did not see it because, between episodes II and IV, he learned how to influence the midichlorians even more greatly and through that compensated the loss.
In Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Supreme Chancellor Palpatine claims that a Sith Lord, Darth Plagueis, had the ability to use the Dark Side to influence midi-chlorians to create life, and so prevent people from dying. The truth of this claim is not established, although it has led some to theorize that Darth Plagueis was behind the creation of Anakin Skywalker. However, this is never stated in the narrative and is pure speculation. Indeed, though, the official Star Wars website reveals that creating life and preventing death arise from the same ability.
Plagueis's abilities create an interesting thematic development: the Sith attempt to gain immortality by unnaturally holding back death with the Dark Side and manipulating life, while the Jedi accept physical death as a natural part of life. Some Jedi, such as Qui-Gon Jinn, learn how to retain their consciousness and corporeal spirits in the greater netherworld of the Force. This Jedi ability can apparently be brought on at will, in which case the Jedi's physical body vanishes without a trace, or can be brought on by death, as in the case of Qui-Gon Jinn, and later, Yoda. Thus the great irony is that while the Sith can unnaturally keep others alive but not themselves it is in fact the Jedi who have achieved immortality by accepting their own deaths and becoming one with the Force.
[edit] Reference
- Brooks, Terry. Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. New York: The Ballantine Publishing Group, 1999.
