and Religion
Twilight. The love story between a 108 year old vampire and a teenage girl. This romance series was created by Stephenie Meyer which became quite popular. Although this series has done extraordinary in sales, there has been both positive and negative criticism regarding the the phenomenon. This section of my webpage will look at writers who have either praised or
criticized the series.
Beth Felker Jones, author of Touched by a Vampire, discuses various themes within Twilight such as love, romance, sex, family and meaning. In Christian belief sexual activity before marriage is frowned upon and promotion to engage in sexual intercourse after marriage is always being exclaimed by religious groups, pastors and even parents. That’s when Twilight morals come into play. The lust between Edward and Bella is shown throughout the series especially during the scene where they share their first kiss. Just by watching the scene the viewers are able to feel the lustful tension between the Edward and Bella. However, Edward stops himself and repels himself away from Bella before things go further or even worse he takes a bite from her neck. Jones says, “Because her (Meyer) couple wait until marriage to have sex, maybe Christians can draw an encouraging word about purity and self- control” (9). This aspect of Twilight is positive in the eyes of parents of teens because they will be reassured that Twilight is setting a good example to their hormonal teens that abstinence until marriage is key. Another positive aspect of Twilight that Jones looks at is faithfulness in relationships. Not once throughout the Twilight Saga does Edward cheat on Bella or vice versa. Some people may think, well Bella and Jacob kissed in New Moon, which is true, but this occurred after the fact when Edward was out of Bella’s life for several months and she thought she would never see him again and that he did not want her. Bella became vulnerable and closer to Jacob during that period of her life because Jacob was there for her when no one else was. Bella does realize after that she loves both Edward and Jacob. Jones says, “It’s normal to be attracted to attractive people. It doesn’t mean we were wrong all along about who our soul mates were. If we’re committed to someone though, we can recognize it without being compelled to act on it. We can stay faithful to the one we’re committed to, move past our romantic desire for the other person, and find paths to real friendship” (34). This is exactly what happens between the infamous love triangle between the girl, the vampire and the werewolf. Bella knows that Edward is her true love and even though she loves Jacob she knows he is more of a good friend than as a soulmate. And so, Bella and Edward are reunited as lovers and Jacob remains her good friend.
Here Edward and Bella share their first kiss, things start to heat up between them and then Edward leaps away from Bella before he loses control.
This scene is from Breaking Dawn where Edward and Bella make love for the first time after they are married. Throughout the scene the wedding ring is visible, just to show that they are indeed married.
Jones also looks at the negative aspects in the Twilight Saga. Plastered on the front cover of Twilight is an apple, this fruit is also shown in the movie when an apple is dropped and Edward manages to kick it up with his foot and hands it to Bella. This apple can easily be compared to the forbidden fruit. Jones quotes Genesis 2:17 by saying, “God instructs human beings that they ‘must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die’” (15). This red apple in Twilight represents the forbidden love of Edward and Bella because it is very dangerous. Whenever Edward and Bella are together, Edward desires to drink Bella’s blood but he manages to restrain himself instead of giving in and losing control. Another example of negativity from Twilight is that the love Bella has for Edward is basically like idolatry. Bella’s feelings for Edward are described as being obsessed and consumed. Like Bella, the readers of the Twilight Saga become obsessed with the series as well as Edward himself. The bible clearly states, “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD you God, am a jealous God” (Exodus 20:3-5). This scripture from the bible is one of the Ten Commandments. So this obsession over something that is not God causes controversy for Christians.
Here Edward gives Bella the apple and goes on to say, "If you were smart you would stay away from me." Edward giving Bella the apple an be represented as an invitation into his dangerous world but at the same time he gives her a warning.
In New Moon when Edward believes Bella is dead, he cannot bare the thought of his soulmate dead and so he goes to great lengths to try and get himself killed. The Volturi destroying him is Edward’s way of committing suicide. This theme of trying to commit suicide due to not being able to be with the one you love is something that young viewers are watching or reading. This puts bad ideas and thoughts in the heads of teens that if they cannot be with the one they love, suicide must be the answer. Likewise with Bella she claims that she cannot live without Edward. Bella even risks her humanity to be with Edward. Edward even expresses that being with him will ruin her relationship with God and Bella replies with, “I don’t want it without you” (Meyer) and she tells Edward that her soul is his already. Bella risks her eternal life of being with God for her love and passion for Edward.
Here Edward tells Bella he does not want her anymore and that him and his family are going away. Bella tells Edward, "If this is about my soul, then take it, I don't want it without you." This shows how Bella is choosing the love of a vampire and immortality over God.
Donna Ashcraft's book, Deconstructing Twilight also discusses a few similar topics to that of Jones'. Edward is the epitome of a gentlemen. Throughout the series Edward resists the advances from Bella to have sex with her. Ashcraft describes this as, "a gentlemanly gesture especially in this day and age of ubiquitous sex" (135). In Eclipse Edward and Bella debate whether or not they should marry and to become sexually active. Bella eventaully agrees with Edward and decides to marry him first before engaging in sexual activity, plus one condition, she has to still be human when it happens so she can have this one last "human experience" before becoming a vampire.
Ashcraft also discusses a negative aspect in Twilight which is how Edward has a "darkside". Most people who read or watch Twilight believe that Edward is a romantic and protective gentleman. However how much is considered as being over protective? Edward is very controlling, he attempts to control which friends she could see and made decisions for her. An example that Ashcraft gives is when he suggests "that she (Bella) be shared between Jacob and himself so tht Jacob could father her children instead of Edward in an effort to save her life during her dangerous pregnancy" (194). Bella should be able to make her own life choices but Edward always insists on making them for her, which is the start of an abusive relationship. Yes, Edward has many heroic qualities and wonderful traits but his negative qualities also should not go unnoticed.
Here in this clip, it is easy to see how Edward can be over protective and controlling. For one, as Bella gets up to leave he tells her "don't leave" and she listens to him. Edward also admits to following her which also can indicate a controlling relationship as in "watching her every move". Edward also says in the clip that he feels very protective of Bella.
Twihards. Otherwise known as overly obsessive fans of the Twilight Saga. Tanya Erzen's book, FANPIRE: The Twilight Sage and the Women who Love It discusses reasons why fans love the series so much and why they obsess over it. Some fans say that Bella represents every girl, she is your every day typical teenage girl who does not care about her appearance, "she's real" (7). Fans seem to connect with Bella, almost as if to say that Bella could be any ordinary girl who reads or watches the series. Some Twilight fans are aware of Edward's creepy demeanor. One fan tells Erzen, "I mean, Edward Cullen is not a perfect man, he is a creeper! He's stalking Bella. He's almost, like, overly territorial sometimes. I mean, he can be way too sullen and moody" (9). In a way this is kind of disturbing, girls know that Edward has these major flaws yet they love him anyway. This can be a downfall when these young girls find a guy of their own some day who may posses some of these similar traits like Edward but will still like the guy regardless of the danger these traits can posses. According to Erzen, the fans of Twilight believe that the relationship between Edward and Bella is like an actual relationship in the real world. "What makes Twilight captivating for these young women is that Bella and Edward's relationship endures suffering and sacrifice, thus granting it authenticity" (21). The Twilight Saga does indeed show how relationships are not always perfect, that there are obstacles to over come and other people may try and come between the relationship, but love does truly conquer all.
Just to show how far the obsession with Twilight has taken over so many people, Erzen says a few lines of a "Twilight Oath" in her book, but here is the full oath:
A section of Erzen's book is called, "Glittering Idols" which talks about how fans consider Twilight as being a holy book and that the Cullens are worshipped. Their are groups of fans who have gathered to forma religion called Cullenism. Erzen quotes a member from a forum on Twifans saying, "Cullenism is a mass group of people, referred to as Cullenites, who have come together to appreciate the values and ideals represented by the Twilight series. We are not a religion (or a cult, lol). But we will be comparing and discussing Twilight with religion. We are non-denominational and don't intend to make anyone give up their own personal beliefs to be a part of the Cullenism group. We are simply fans who cherish the values of Twilight (not just how cute Edward is)!" (61). A lot of people disagreed with this "Cullenism" since there is a point where obsession should end before it reaches religious blasphemy. Clearly the obsession with Twilight has gotten out of hand and taken to far to the point that there is a religion.
Marc Shaw makes some incredible and interesting points in his article, For the Strength of Bella? Meyer, Vampires, and Mormanism in relation of religious aspects in Twilight or lack thereof. For one, none of the characters have a religion, there is no indication what their religion is or who they believe in. An interesting fact is that Stephenie Meyer is a Mormon and according to Shaw, "As a Mormon, Meyer believes that one day her body will be immortal and all-powerful, resurrected in a perfect form, together with her husband and sons forever" (228-229). This statement can be easily compared to the Twilight Saga, eventually Bella becomes immortal and powerful, and is perfect in appearance and lives happily with Edward and her daughter at the end of Breaking Dawn. It's as if Meyer's Mormon beliefs are similar to Twilight, she has created the lives and immortal lives of Bella and Edward based on her beliefs. The place that Bella lives in, Forks, is an ironic name, since Bella has to make so many decisions regarding her life it is like a "fork in the road" so to speak. Shaw says, "According to Mormon thought, God places us here in this life and leaves us with freedom to choose our path and be held accountable for our choices" (229). So here we see how "Forks" becomes involved with decision making, Bella can either live a safe life free of danger by not becoming involved with Edward or she can choose to be with Edward and have to deal with the consequences of danger constantly around her and the constant threat of bad vampires.
Shown in picture is Bella, Edward and their daughter Renesmee.
Here is the last scene from Breaking Dawn, Edward and Bella will now live happiley ever after together as immortals, Bella helps Edward to reflect on their memories together.