Throughout the long history of the Star Wars universe, Jedi have been known by various titles from their enemies and opponents, and the "Mad Monk" in Jedi Apprentice is undoubtedly one of the most hated.
At first glance, "Mad Monk" may seem like an exaggerated insult to the Jedi, especially considering that the Jedi have long been regarded as guardians of the forces of justice.
However, there are also some different circumstances in this history that give good reason to doubt whether the Jedi were really as calm, composed, and impartial as they claimed.
In the third episode of Leslie Hedland's Acolyte, the Jedi are referred to as "Mad Monks", a plot that takes place on the planet Brunddock when a group of wizards using the Force are discussing how to deal with the Jedi who appear at the gates of the Holy Land.
While some of them advocated a peaceful solution, Creel advocated a strong and violent approach. When Anithia decides to let the Jedi test Osa and May, Creel responds, "I didn't bring the girls into this world so that they could be taken away by a bunch of crazy monks!" ”
While her remarks may seem to the witch sisters to be motivated by excessive concern for the safety of their children, there is ample evidence to support Creel's view that the Jedi did undermine their consistent reputation to some extent.
Parents are unable to confirm the safety of their children
It is only possible for a child to enter the Jedi Order with the consent of the child's parents or guardians. But the belief that the Jedi believed they could provide a better and safer life than their families cast doubt on their true motives.
In addition, once a Jedi has taken a child, parents can never know if their child is safe and treated well. What parent would consider a person to be of sound mind based on putting their children at risk?
In the 2016 mini-comic series Star Wars: Obi-Wan & Anakin, Anakin Skywalker spent a harrowing time in the Jedi Temple as a young apprentice. He was ridiculed, insulted, and snubbed by his classmates for being different, had few friends, and Anakin often spent time alone in the temple.
This is the exact opposite of what he lived as a slave before joining the Jedi Order. Indeed, as the youngest apprentice among the Jedi, the young apprentice had little to no skills or experience. This makes them an ideal target in the eyes of anyone who doesn't like Jedi or wants to take advantage of them.
In the 2021-2022 mini-comic series Star Wars: High Republic - Path of Shadows, a monster known as the "Balancer" exists, which is attracted by the Jedi's Force abilities to attack and devour any Jedi Knight it encounters. They are particularly fond of attacking the most vulnerable apprentices, as they are the least resistant.
Problems with Jedi education
Apprentices are still children, which means they need the love of their parents, which is essential for the healthy development of children. Jedi custom usually does not allow apprentices to contact their families after entering the Order of Order. In the absence of parents, apprentices treat their mentors as family, and mentors take on the role of caregivers.
However, most mentors are unable to provide the emotional response that all children need after completing their Jedi training. This is best exemplified in Jedi - The Dark Side, where Zenatus struggles to cope with his emotions when he returns home to see his family. The only consolation Kuigang could offer was to encourage Zenatus to believe in his Jedi training.
It is also stated in Star Wars: High Republic Adventure that most apprentices are sent to participate in some operations before they reach the age of majority, and are sent to operations before they have completed their training.
Indeed, with the goal of training young children and children to "think and act like Jedi," Jedi trained them rigorously physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.
In addition, before young apprentices were deemed capable, the Jedi not only allowed, but also required these children to take risks and fight for rules they might not fully understand.
Creel apparently understands the consequences of forcing children to perform behaviors they can't really understand. So when Anithia says that Osa wants to be a Jedi, Mother Creel responds, "Osha? ... She's still a kid! ”
Creel considered the Jedi to be insane
In the fifth episode of Obi-Wan and Anakin, the decision to give the child to the Jedi Order is often made quickly and without full consideration. In this haste of circumstance, it is understandable that Creel cursed the Jedi and considered their motives to be abnormal.
Considering the opacity within the Jedi Order, it will undoubtedly lead some parents to think that the Jedi are "crazy". Indeed, there is a practice that may make parents think twice about sending their children to the Jedi Order, and that is that the Jedi recruit members by recruiting newborns, infants, and toddlers who are Force-sensitive. Moreover, the Jedi don't seem to be doing anything to dispel negative perceptions of the Jedi recruitment process.
The Jedi argues that this process is necessary to eliminate the personal emotions and connections that the future Jedi will need to get rid of in order to become the most effective self.
But this process does not take into account the feelings of parents for their children. That is, while children are taught—more or less—how to overcome the pain of being away from their parents, there doesn't seem to be an applicable policy, practice, or plan for the Jedi to help parents overcome the pain of losing their children.
Once a decision has been reached, there seems to be no way for regretful parents to retract their decision. In Jedi - The Dark Side, when Krion first meets his son decades later, he admits how painful and remorseful he was for sending his son to the Jedi Order.
The love of parents is comparable to the power of the Force
This is reflected in Creel's remarks in The Jedi Apprentice. While her concerns about Osa and May are real and obvious, the point of her anger is that if one or both of the twins are taken away, she will lose the chance to see them again.
A baby or toddler will certainly overcome the pain of losing a parent over time. But an adult parent who loves their child dearly is unlikely to completely limit their affection for their child, even if they think joining the Jedi Order might be the best option.
Even Yoda questioned the use of children for adult tasks. In the third episode of Star Wars: Yoda, the Jedi Master is very upset when he sees a teenager kidnapping another child in order to protect his group.
Yoda knew that Jedi would also make children take risks, just to fulfill the wishes of adults. It's really reminiscent of the old adage: do the same thing and expect different results.
When a mysterious group like the Jedi Knight suddenly appears on your doorstep one day with an intention to take your child, a parent who cares about their child will naturally think that they are crazy. This idea is further deepened by the Jedi's policy: once the child leaves, the parents will never see their child again.
Add to that the fact that parents see the possibility of young Jedi fighting, and even killing, and it's not hard to understand why Kril and a lot of people in the Star Wars universe would think that the Jedi are a bunch of crazy monks.