Twilight

So I would like to discuss an epidemic that has swept the nation, thy name is "Twilight". This has nothing to do with Music, but everything to do with our culture. Back a few months ago when the movie trailers started for the movie, I had no idea what "twilight" was, what it was about, or that it was even a book. But then people started talking about it and I got a little curious. I love reading, and I love wierd fantasy/mythical stuff, so I thought to myself while reading the cliched quote on the back of the book in Newbury Comics "what's the worst that could happen, it's $10 and I'm sure it'll be a quick easy read if it's meant for teens". So I put my money where my mouth is and Twilight entered my life. Before I started reading the book, I understood going in that the story was comprised of love, and vampires - which I'm sure would thus lead to life threatening situations and inner turmoil. So as I started in to the first chapter I thought, well it's not Clive Barker but this could be good.
Within moments I was hooked. I'll admit that even though Stephanie Meyer may not be the most intellectual and worldly writer (not that I really know many), the imagery was wonderfully bright and the characters quickly and easily painted in my minds eye. You instantly feel sympathetic for Bella because she's alone, but jealous because she's this average, ho-hum girl from out of town and almost instanteously everyone is in love with her. If only it were that easy for us actual normal, average ho-hum girls in high school. But to ensure the fantasty continues she gets the hottest guy in school, and not only is he a "bad boy" he's a freakin' mythical creature! Apparently just the bad boy persona doesn't do it for us anymore, we're numb to the tattoos and bad attitudes and have moved on to murderous villians. The cherry on the fantasy sundae? This vampire has a gentle, romantic, loving side and a sense of self-preservation. And he's fallen in love with the plainest girl around.
- how like life -
After reading through the first book I instantly thought "man, guys are going to be pissed when they find out this vampire has made them all look like a bunch of jerks", and inadvertently he has. The image of Edward that is created in the novel can be different for each reader, but one thing will be the same for every girl reading: He is the ultimate fantasy. And we all, in some strange insecure way, feel unworthy of him. But if the plainest girl in school won his heart, then maybe there is hope for the rest of us. right?
I have moved my way through book two and three and am about to begin the final mile of the series. Just last week I got the chance to watch the "film" at a friends house, and (of course) because I loved the book so much I was compelled to run out buy the DVD, not knowing whether or not it was actually worth the $15 I dished out.
Long story short - it wasn't. And yet every night I come home from work, with several other things on my mind, A GRE test to study for, a poem to work on, a shower to take, dinner to make, and whatever else happened in the day; but all I want to do it sit down at my cluttered and crumb-covered kitchen table and watch it again and again on my computer. WHY?! I don't understand it and it's honestly been consuming my thoughts a bit. Am I seriously trying to live vicariously through Bella and find love in a romantic, super-powered vampire? Is this all in an attempt to keep my hopes up that if this average girl can find love with the coolest guy in town, than there has got to be something out there for me? It seems like any other romantic comedy. The trick here is that this isn't your everyday swooner people, this is a vampire. He's proclaimed his love and his life. He's saved her from the darkest of places and said all the right words at all the right moments. He stays with her while she sleeps and doesn't complain when she tells him he's not allowed to speak of leaving her side. Any other dude would be like "screw you, I want to hang out with my boyz". The ultimate relationship/infatuation. And now, he wants to be married, even though they've been together for what... a year?! sure, let's run off to be married so that we can take each others "virtue" and spend eternity together!
I'm honestly nervous for what this teaches teenagers that are reading this book. At least it teaches them to wait for the right person, the one you love, the right moment, and (of course) marriage. But are they now going to be looking for real men to think and act as a character in a movie does? I mean, understood, we all watch the sappy chick flicks and we swoon and wish secretly that our men would treat us this way, but we understand that our man, like us, are just human and this kind of stuff just doesn't take place. But with Twilight? I feel like it's different. It's a different audience with different expectations and a different naive grasp on human interactions/relationships. Now, texting is good enough for a break up, as if we have no respect for one another. I have noticed that this book has bridged together generations of women, from teens through young adults my age, to older middle-aged women. The desire to be loved by someone such as Edward is everywhere.
And the love triangle with Jacob?! oh, that is just the sprinkles and whipped cream. Who doesn't secretly love being the center of a love triangle, nevermind one involving a vampire AND a werewolf! It is the epitamy of what every girl dreams about.
The fantasy that we have, is it because we're an insecure society? Is it because we do truely believe that chilvalry is dead when it's the only thing that we really want? Do we want to feel like the kind of woman that could make such a villian want to change his ways out of love for us and become the good guy? it's a little arrogant, I have to admit, to think that we're great enough women to think that a monster would risk his existence and life for us. That we are that charming and charismatic that a killer would find love in his heart and change his entire life for us. What does this say about how we are taught to view relationships in todays society? It's as if the book seems to teach us that having this relationship and having someone to be with us at every moment of the day is the ultimate goal in life. Edward does say "Bella, you don't know how long I've waited for you", as if his life has meant nothing without her up to this point. What about the sense of self, not needing someone else for comfort and validation. I can understand the yearning for companionship and love, but we must find love in ourselves first before sharing it with others.
I know I have preached about this in the past and I don't really want to be redundant, but I wonder if with this new cultural obssession with Twilight only reaffirms the ideal that we as a culture feel like we can't function without the validation and acceptance of others. What if Bella moved out to Forks and made a life for herself all on her own. I mean sure, she makes friends, she gets a job to pay the bills and she goes to school. But what if she found love in herself and not with Edward, what is the story was a journey of self discovery. Do you think that the story would thus be as popular? maybe with a less accomodating crowd, the indie rockers and poets.
I have to admit, I love the book. I thought the movie could have been better, but regardless the book was awesome! The pages moved faster than I could keep up it seemed. The love story reaches out to even the most bitter and reminds them that there is someone out there for everyone, human or not. The aspect of this book that prompted me to come back to a blog that I haven't updated in over a month was her sheer NEED for Edward. She withered when he left and used another just to occupy her mind and find ways to get back to Edward. If he leaves her alone even for a little while she feels empty without him. To some, this is an unconditional level of love. To me, it's just wierd. Bella, sit down and read a book, maybe catch up on some homework or watch your favorite tv show. Sure it's not always going to be as COOL as hanging with your vampire boyfriend but you each have to lead individual lives as well as the one you share together. It's a lot, I know, but I think you can handle it. Heck, you've gone this far.