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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.
Look. You , Anonymous, have the right to dislike Twilight and I respect your decision to dislike it. However, you fail to uncover the real purpose and meaning of this story. Twilight isn't about logic, equality, or a abusive relationship with a boyfriend. Twilight is about two people who think they are nothing special, who don't understand how anyone could love them fall in love. It explains the meaning of love, because the truth is if you loved someone enough you would be willing to go to great lengths in order to protect them. And don't try to tell me that you wouldn't go into a depression at least a mini one if the love of your life just walked away or left you. You know you would. So stop critizing Twilight on how its illogical and think about how amazing it would be to feel that way about someone. Think about how cool it is that Stephanie Meyer can actually come up with something this intriguing because the fact that you think this is a stupid story shows your lack of imagination, along with ability to accept new ideas.
P.S I agree with everyone who likes Twilight on this page and has commented. GO TWILIGHT!!!
Dear Anonymous,
If I didn't think it would be removed, I would curse the living daylights out of you. I find your opinions, however strong you think they are, to hold very little water in comparison to the enormous fanbase that Stephanie Meyer has collected. (Of course, I might change my mind if you let ME read what you've got. ;) ) Do please respond. I'd like to hear your comeback, however flimsy.
Sincerely, E.B.
I noticed that in twilight when bella first arrives in Forks everyone wants to be her friend. She had 2 guys that all of a sudden liked her. (not including edward) The thing is that Bella was always socially awkward. Why is everyone all of a sudden attracted to the new antisocial girl.
Well, I don't see how the author of this article is trying to rob teens of decision making. I believe it was just the author's own view.
And true, teens may not run away and find a vampire, but you'd be surprised to find how many girls let this novel take over their lives. I know a girl who was in a very healthy relationship with a very nice boy. All was going well until she read Twilight. She broke up with him and later revealed that it was because she wanted a man more like Edward.
Now, I can't fault the girl for breaking up with a guy...if it had been for a valid reason. If it was because they didn't click or because she felt like they should be just friends, I could see that. But ending a perfectly fine relationship because you want to find a perfect boy who fits your favorite fictional character is quite sad.
If this were just one girl, I wouldn't have bothered posting this comment, but it seems to be too many. Too many girls are looking for their own Edward and seem to forget that he is fictional. Yes, one could argue that they just want someone LIKE him, but that is beside the point. To base your search for a soulmate off a boy who doesn't exist will get you nowhere. Especially when the boy in question is perfect in everyway. Sorry girls, but boys are human too. They can't be perfect. And looking for a perfect guy isn't going to get you one. It'll only get you heartache.
You'll have to forgive me if I sound rude, but I believe it is you who needs to get over yourself. You must stop acting like you know so much about true love when you yourself say you have never experienced it.
Well, I have. I have found true love. Let me tell you, it is a truly amazing thing. And when you are forced to leave the one you're in love with (stupid army!) it's devestating. Yes, you get sad. Yes, you mope. Yes, you spend days crying. But you don't become catatonic for months! Why? Because life moves on! Even if Bella's reaction wasn't "sexist," it was entirely unrealistic. Granted, this IS a vampire novel we're talking about, but I digest. The claim that Bella's reaction was totally reasonable because she was in love is worn out and totally unprecedented. If you want to claim that she acted this way because it's a teen romance novel, and therefore, doesn't have to make sense, go ahead. I can't argue with that. But you can't very well say that this is how people react when they're in love if you haven't experienced it yourself. How can you claim to know more than others about it? Again, forgive my rudeness, but that sounds rather arrogant to me.