Due to one of my friends pleading.. or basically telling me I will be accompanying her to see the next edition of the Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn movie, and then me informing her that I have not read any of the books or seen any of the movies.. Two days later I had her entire series of books written by Stephenie Meyer to read... and about a month to complete the task of read them all.. Whoa! So, I am fairly certain I will post several more times on my thoughts about the story as I read through this series. But, in the last 3-4 days I have read about 3/4 of the first book, and I thought I would share my thoughts on this book so far.. and why I feel like it appeals to teenage girls.. young women.. and even older women so much, or not at all.
So, in case you have not read the books (no reason to feel guilty), the basic story plot (if you don't know), is Bella a 17 year old girl moves from Phoenix to Forks, WA to be with her Dad... She hates the small town and the gloomy weather, but true to any girl's dream she finds that virtually every boy in this town likes her.. but she is drawn to Edward.. (and later Jacob).. Turns out Edward is a Vampire that is part of a "family" that does not eat people because of moral reasons. Jacob is part of a Native American tribe that are actually werewolves.. (although so far, Jacob is unaware that he's a werewolf... and is not a major role in the book yet..)
Here are the things that I can easily see as appealing about the Twilight book and love story:
It is CLEARLY written by a woman, she understands the constant battle between emotions and logic (Bella knows it's a bad idea but is drawn to him anyway.. wants to touch him, but is afraid it'll make it more difficult for him.. worried for his safety.. etc.. etc..).
Meyers clearly understands the desire that girls/women have to be fought for, protected, cherished, and found more beautiful than any other girl... We love the feeling when get from those things, and in normal life (today.. or throughout history) girls/women do not feel that way much, often, or at all.
There is an appeal that this book has that makes the female reader desire to be cherished like Bella is cherished. It is a powerful thing.
I love how easy the book is to read, I am not sure if that was on purpose or a mere side effect of Meyer being a new writer.
I enjoy certain aspects of the descriptions.. like the vampires have changing eye color depending on their mood. (how cool would THAT be?!)
The things I find borderline obnoxious:
Bella's narrative is CONSTANTLY describing him as angel like, perfect, beautiful etc... (He stood there stone like with an angel like face... His perfect face... etc..etc..) the first introduction and getting to know Edward/Bella it was fine.. (especially since it's part of his "vampire charm"..) now that they are "together" the description is getting old.
I find their conversations amusing, but their physical contact distracting.. (I think it's awkward that he holds her so much... cradles her in a rocking chair.. etc.. etc..)
The initial, the idea of having a guy you love watch you sleep sounds romantic.. but really it is just awkward..
Vampire or not, no one can resist something indefinitely on "mind over matter," it is impossible (so him holding her while she sleeps is not even close to a good idea.. and really a rather stupid part of the story)
So, while the story itself is entertaining enough, and thankfully easy to read so I can fly through it rather quickly (thank you mom and dad for facilitating me to become a reader..). But, what I keep thinking about as I read this story is the appeal it has to teenage girls and their moms.. (It was all over the news) and I keep thinking about how all that really does is highlight how much women are starving for their God given roles to be a part of an adventure, loved fiercely, protected, found beautiful etc... and how many girls and women are drawn to this book/series because they are lacking in this area.
Which then brings me back to a thought, "Where have all the good men gone?" Not in an angry, frustrated, or condescending way, but in a serious, slightly sad, and honest question sorta way...
3 comments:
Where have all the good men gone? Beaten down by a society that thinks a good man doesn't exist. A normal man is either an abusive, control freak - or he is a weak, submissive, meek, and mild idiot. Look no further than the latest sit-com's and commercials to see the evidence that 'normal' is actually contrary to what we were made to be.
Men need an awakening like never before. We need to learn what we were made for, Who we were patterned after, and how to live up to what our expectations should be.
I think that that is one of the myriad reasons that 50%+ of marriages end in divorce, but that's anther topic for another time. :)
True, but "society" is half men... So, somewhere along the way they gave up their God given role...
I think the greater epidemic is a two fold problem.. Woman took over the role men were suppose to have partially due to sin on their part and partially because the men stopped fighting for it and someone had to do it.. but then when the men decide to take their role back women no longer knew how to give it back and assume their role again.
It is definitely a shared problem and responsibility. But, sin, society or not, I agree the role confusion is causing all the problems you mentioned.
~K
Great thoughts, Krista! I'm reminded of the movie, Courageous. I highly recommend that movie. Where are the men who are willing to stand up and say "I will?" I wil protect my family, I will be a provider, I will be the role model - THANKFULLY, I have a man who is willing to do that, although with my personality, it is always a struggle (I'm used to making decisions for myself in my life and still, after 8+ years together, I struggle to relinquish control in all areas of my life whether that's to God or my priesthood, Jason). Thanks for sharing! You gave me a little something extra to think about this morning :)
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