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Anakin as a Young Boy: Industry vs Inferiority
At the age of 8, Anakin builds both a pod racer and protocol droid. The boy is a slave, he does mechanical maintenance and repair for his master. Anakin enjoys his work and takes pride in it, which gives him self-esteem. Erikson calls the crisis in early childhood Industry vs Inferiority, children in this stage learn the tasks and practices of their culture and draw confidence from following instructions successfully. Constant criticism can result in children feeling inadequate and incompetent. -
Anakin's Marriage: Identity vs Identity Confusion
Anakin is now free, he and Padmé Amidaala marry even though, as a Jedi Knight, Anakin is forbidden to form attachments. Anakin breaks his oath to the Jedi because he has not determined who he is and what he truly wants. According to Erikson, most adolescents are puzzling out their personal identity before reaching adulthood and entering marriage. Having a secure sense of self helps with these new roles but being unsure of whom one is predicts insecurity and hardship in other areas. -
Anakin's Fall: Intimacy vs Isolation
Padmé tells Anakin that she is pregnant, he is terrified that she will die in childbirth, she says not to worry. Anakin is willing to do anything to save Padmé even committing mass murder, which he hides from her. The crisis is early adulthood is Intimacy vs Isolation. Healthy intimacy in marriage is possible when both people know who they are and are comfortable sharing and committing. If this crisis is not resolved, people may choose not to marry or may base their identity on their marriage.