Today I finished Breaking Dawn, the fourth installment in the Twilight series. For the past two years I spent countless hours immersing myself in Stephanie Meyer's compelling saga and found myself wrapped up in a world of vampires and werewolves, Edwards and Jacobs, and of course - Bella. Her series is more than just a teenage romp; in my opinion it is a masterful patchwork of life inspired decisions, choices and consequences that any reader can instantly relate to. Whether it's Bella's paralyzing depression, her obsession over Edward or the choice one must make when a heart is torn between two, Twilight manages to truly communicate to people on a level I have not witnessed since the boy wizard himself. When I read the book, I felt as though Bella were speaking my language; as though she was the one person who understood exactly how I felt (I was in a dark place for four years) and every experience she underwent mimicked my life in a shocking but oh so gripping manner. I was Bella, maybe not with the whole obsession over Edward, but I too pined for things in my life and I too was given a taste of bliss and forced to be torn away from it. I understood her depression and desire to inflict upon herself just the slightest bit of pain to realize that I was still alive! Twilight is also an epic love story: what happens when you feel like you're not good enough (I've been a long time member of that club) and then suddenly, someone you never though would even notice you can't stand to be without you. What decisions will you make and are you ready to bite down on the consequences of you actions - no matter how natural or strong you feel the urge. Stephanie constructed a world rich in fantasy but shockingly close to reality and that deserves some credit.
One more thing: perhaps people have not noticed but the book is a little more deep than just vampires and werewolves. Believe it or not, the whole story is a metaphor for sex and the risks and consequences kids face if they choose to engage in it. Yes, the movies (and books to an extent) are sexually charged and no one can deny the sexual tensions rippling through the audiences who faithfully storm the theaters to view provacative shirtless scenes of their idols- but the actual message is one of abstinence. Perhaps I ought to explain if you're still in doubt. In the novel, sex is subtly mentioned as the central tension in Bella and Edward (and Jacob's) relationship. Edward, in all his "beauty" (rolling my eyes) is captivating to Bella and physically, her scent and blood are equally as tantalizing for Edward. Both flirt with their sexual tension, kissing, embracing and even perhaps spooning yet both are fully aware of what will happen if they give into their real urges: Edward will lose control of his emotions and end up killing Bella. Ok, so lets rewind here and explain. The fact that Bella will die if they give in is a metaphor for the consequences of sex: giving into temptation brings about a whole world of risks and troubles which range from STDs to pregnancies. Stephanie Meyer, echoing her Mormon roots attempts to relate Bella's desires for Edward to any real life teenager's desires to also engage in sex and using the vampire metaphor, has constructed a situation in which teens who wish to abstain can relate to Bella's angst but find the strength to wait until marriage (like Bella and Edward do). Only until marriage can one fully find the strength to have sex and only in marriage were Bella and Edward able to fully trust and complete each other (literally). Even Bella's fears that she will be a different person, wild and unpredictable, when she becomes a vampire (loses her virginity) are reminiscent of real people's concerns that "sex changes everything". Meyer has also has used Edward as a metaphor for teens to relate to the all to real situation of: I know they're bad for me but I can't help it, I love them! Many kids struggle with their parents condemnation of their partner but would rather suffer through the struggles because their significant other is well, significant. Jacob too plays a central role in this as he acts as the good influence, the person your parents think ought to be in your life. While the Jacob in the book isn't exactly a square, he does have one thing on Edward: he can actually give Bella a more normal life and thus is the complication in her relationship. Bella eventually develops feelings for him too (how many people develop feelings for another while in relationship.....yeah exactly) and becomes even more conflicted. Or take it on a more basic level: what do you do when you rely on your friends and need them to get through life but your definition of "friendship" and theirs don't coincide.
Bella is selfish, conflicted, emotional and makes the wrong choices - just like most of her readers. For many of us Twilight readers, Bella and the other characters are as real as the people in our lives and their struggles provide an outlet for a troubled person who feels isolated and confused.
Twilight has found a way to intimately touch to the lives of millions - including mine. That's enough for me to give it the thumbs up.
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