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Twilight on Equality MAG
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that while reading Twilight I was “dazzled” (pun intended). Almost anyone alive for the past couple of months is certainly aware of the saga, which has received excited acclaim not only from teenagers worldwide but also such esteemed reviewers as The New York Times and Publishers Weekly. So why do I have a problem with it?
Twilight is about Bella Swan, a teen who moves to a new town and is immediately adored by everyone. She instantly has several men vying for her attention and a couple of pretty nice friends as well. Her adoration of classic books would imply that she is at least marginally intelligent. Then she meets Edward Cullen (who has a unique background that is not relevant here), and as their relationship grows, so does her obsession, until it consumes her. Seems harmless, right?
Actually, no. Bella is depicted as an evil temptress trying to persuade a morally honorable man into evil, while he attempts to keep their virtues intact. Succinctly, Edward and Bella are a modern Adam and Eve.
But the book goes further in asserting that women are inferior to men. Every time Bella is faced with a conflict and has to make a choice, Edward swoops in to save her, because apparently she can’t possibly decide on her own. He goes beyond protective to borderline abusive in Twilight, but Bella justifies it as “love” every time. When Edward dumps her for a couple months in New Moon, Bella becomes seriously depressed and dangerous to herself.
All the female characters in this series eventually portray similar helplessness. Even the first relationship introduced in the book – that of Bella’s mother and stepfather – is sexist. Bella expresses concern about leaving her mother, but then reasons that it’s okay now that Phil is looking after her.
What’s even more ridiculous is that many female readers look up to Bella! Her situation is idealized. After finding Edward, Bella is happy only when she is with him. She feels that he is her one true purpose in life. So what are girls who read the novels left wanting? Their own Edward, of course! Not only do they want one – they need one. The fact that so many intelligent young men and women have been sucked into the Twilight series and have swallowed its sexist manifesto has me worried about the future of gender equality.
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This article has 589 comments.
Personally I think Twilight is the modern fantasy version of Romeo and Juliet. Is it slightly ridiculous? Yes. But I think the intelligent girls out there will grow to realize an Edward is not what they want, and if they don't have the confidence to be equal to their partner, well I hope they find somebody like Edward who won't take advantage of it.
Not saying your points aren't valid - I think they are - I'm just saying this isn't a new thing, and it won't be the last either.
I think that although all of the critism the series is getting, I DID read it and I have to admit, I was sucked in. Meyer may be talented and some people need to take a step back and stop scrutinising the plot so hard. How dramatic we all are!
I'm not saying that some of the issues in the book aren't there, I definately agree that Edward is an exaggerated version of the female fantasy, but isn't that the point? ITS A STORY. You shouldn't take it so seriously that all the events have to be compared to real life.
If the opinions of one fictional character,a weak one at that, can affect a person so much, they should remember the key word: FICTIONAL.
You might as well cross off the whole genre... love that!
