I thought the knowledge in the jedi wasn’t important? This is the issue. The symbolism (burning the library to start anew) tells us the texts are from another time & that we can move
on. The actions of the characters (Rey saving the texts) tells us the texts are actually important & the characters should still follow the ways of the ancient past.
I'll let JP explain some Star Wars to ya.
Relevant quote - "two different modes of looking at the world are necessary"(dark side/light side)
So Rey is the symbolic embodiment of Chaos(just like OT Vader!). But she's the GOOD kind of chaos, the kind that renews life. That's why she 100% MUST be a woman.
I mean, it's so frigging blatant. Rey is blasting holes in thousands of years old stone structures. Her connection with the dark side cracks the stone beneath her.
Anyways, the TREE represents the crumbling edifice of the dogmatic Jedi Order. The institution that needed to spend some time in reformative Chaos to be reborn. Hence the Phoenix image
"Jediism" is clearly an extremely crappy, dogmatic interpretation of the OG Jedi texts that elites use to control ppls minds and monopolize political control - therefore BURN THE TEXTS
Dispensationalism is clearly an extremely crappy, dogmatic interpretation of the Bible that elites use to control ppls minds and monopolize political control - therefore BURN THE BIBLE
There's numerous examples in the real world. Dig into Old Testament interpretations that try to justify Zionism(and Christian support of it) and you'll see how archetypal this idea is.
It looks like the books represent Order, but if you remember in Ep. 3, Yoda suggests that it's possible to misinterpret prophesy. That's the danger of dogmatic interpretation.
Both the books and the tree have orderly and chaotic elements. The books are ancient knowledge that has survived the test of time eg. The Bible, the Odyssey, Shakespeare etc..
So you're asking the wrong question about the texts and the tree. You need to interpret those symbols through the lens of chaos and order or you won't understand what happens.
If you think this chaos/order thing is trivial in Star Wars, let me prove to you that it's not. It's actually foundational to everything that happens. It's the bedrock of the stories.
We're never told exactly what balance means or what the Jedi *think* balance means. They know of no Sith until Darth Maul shows up so it's not necessarily a we win they lose thing.
Lets focus on this thread because I think you put your finger right on the most important issue. In the prequels, the Jedi council talks about the force becoming "unbalanced".
