Spring Break
Tales of a new Twilight
Kristen Marchell
Issue date: 1/28/09 Section: Opinion
Watch out, Mr. Darcy. Your position as predominant fictional heartthrob is under assault. Stephanie Meyer's vampire hero, Edward Cullen, of her Twilight saga is taking teen girls' bookshelves by storm. He's handsome. He's strong. He's rich. He's utterly devoted to his girl. He's even artsy. What's not to love? Oh. And, according to his critics, he's an emotionally-abusive control freak. The object of his affection, Bella Swan, fares even worse under critical examination. She is considered a weak character: physically fragile, perpetually in need of saving by male protagonists, and willing to forgo her friendships and family to be with Edward. If this is so, how can so many modern girls tolerate and even embrace such a tortured tale? Firstly, Bella is not as weak as she seems. Secondly, Edward and Bella possess a redeeming willingness to sacrifice for their love that, while often denounced as weakness or foolishness today, remains as seductive as ever.
Bella, obsessive and void of non-Edward related thoughts shows she is not a weak character. She knows what she what she wants and will stop at nothing to get it. It just so happens that what she wants most is not a college education or a high paying job, but to live forever with Edward. Sometimes she takes this to an unhealthy extreme, as when she falls into a deep depression after she thinks Edward has left her. Still, as the mortal without supernatural powers, she is courageously taking the biggest risk in the relationship. She understands this and is not deterred.
**Spoiler**It takes strength to consider others before yourself. Bella's willingness to sacrifice becomes abundantly clear when her pregnancy threatens her life. She is willing, even in great pain and at the cusp of everything she has ever wanted, to put her child's life above her own. Whether or not, one agrees with Bella's decision, it obviously reveals a selfless nature and great fortitude. Bella's inner strength, in the end, allows her to achieve everything she desires.
Edward is protective of Bella when he fears her life is in danger. However, of all the foes Edward fights against for Bella's sake, his most difficult opponent is himself. Bella is so enticing that resisting his basic vampire instincts around her proves a struggle. The battle heightens even further when Bella proves to be all-too-willing prey. Edward shows us he is a man (err…vampire) that cares enough about his girl to say "no" to himself. That sort of devotion, that which is not premised solely on maximizing one's own personal benefit, calls to the higher nature of us all.
Tales of star-crossed lovers tend to be enticing because it is only when relationships are put to the test that their true strength is revealed. In Twilight, the risks involved as are as high as they get. Love is a noble goal and can be a truly empowering force. For some, it is worth the work, risk, and sacrifice.
Bella, obsessive and void of non-Edward related thoughts shows she is not a weak character. She knows what she what she wants and will stop at nothing to get it. It just so happens that what she wants most is not a college education or a high paying job, but to live forever with Edward. Sometimes she takes this to an unhealthy extreme, as when she falls into a deep depression after she thinks Edward has left her. Still, as the mortal without supernatural powers, she is courageously taking the biggest risk in the relationship. She understands this and is not deterred.
**Spoiler**It takes strength to consider others before yourself. Bella's willingness to sacrifice becomes abundantly clear when her pregnancy threatens her life. She is willing, even in great pain and at the cusp of everything she has ever wanted, to put her child's life above her own. Whether or not, one agrees with Bella's decision, it obviously reveals a selfless nature and great fortitude. Bella's inner strength, in the end, allows her to achieve everything she desires.
Edward is protective of Bella when he fears her life is in danger. However, of all the foes Edward fights against for Bella's sake, his most difficult opponent is himself. Bella is so enticing that resisting his basic vampire instincts around her proves a struggle. The battle heightens even further when Bella proves to be all-too-willing prey. Edward shows us he is a man (err…vampire) that cares enough about his girl to say "no" to himself. That sort of devotion, that which is not premised solely on maximizing one's own personal benefit, calls to the higher nature of us all.
Tales of star-crossed lovers tend to be enticing because it is only when relationships are put to the test that their true strength is revealed. In Twilight, the risks involved as are as high as they get. Love is a noble goal and can be a truly empowering force. For some, it is worth the work, risk, and sacrifice.
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