Kanan's Last Lesson
In "Zero Hour: Part 1" (Rebels 3.21), the Jedi Knight Kanan Jarrus reflects on his mentorship of his apprentice, Ezra Bridger. "At times I was afraid," Kanan admits. "Afraid that I couldn't teach you everything you needed to know." Now, after all that Ezra has learned, Kanan says, "Sometimes I wonder if I have anything left to teach you." However, there is one last lesson that Kanan has to teach his student: by his example, he teaches Ezra how to sacrifice himself for others.
In "Jedi Night" (Rebels 4.10), Kanan uses the Force to hold back an explosion and push Ezra and the other members of the Ghost crew to safety. He gives his life to save theirs, and completes their mission – to cripple the Imperial factory on Lothal – in the process.
In "A World Between Worlds" (Rebels 4.12), Ezra looks into the past and sees Kanan's sacrifice again, and Ahsoka Tano interprets the meaning of Kanan's act for him: "Kanan found the moment when he was needed most, and he did what he had to do for everyone." At this point, Ezra understands: "That's the lesson." Shortly after leaving the World Between Worlds, he tells Hera, "I know what we have to do now. In a way, Kanan showed me. One last lesson."
Kanan is a good master who gives his life to teach his student one last lesson, and Ezra is a good student who takes that lesson to heart. In "Family Reunion – and Farewell" (Rebels 4.15), Ezra follows Kanan's example, sacrificing himself to save his friends and completing their mission – to free the people of Lothal from Imperial tyranny – in the process. He surrenders himself to Grand Admiral Thrawn and uses the Force to summon a pod of Pergill that takes Thrawn's fleet – and himself – far away from Lothal. His sacrifice is visually framed to mirror Kanan's:
Ezra is able to sacrifice himself because Kanan showed him how.
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Characters: Ezra Bridger / Kanan Jarrus
Shows: Rebels
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Concepts: sacrifice / teachers and students
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