Twilight

In the book Twilight, the main character Bella Swan is displayed to be a self-conscious teenage girl that moves from sunny Phoenix, Arizona to Forks, Washington. During the move the author briefly describes Bella, however main major features of the character are left out of the description. By leaving Bella as opened ended character it allows any reader from all walks of life to relate to her situation. Bella is described to be a very clumsy to the point was it is unbelievable. For example when she is in gym class Bella describes falling all over people several different times during a basketball game. Honestly in real life I don’t really see this happening. Also when she is hiking in the woods with friends she states how she feel over multiple times. Throughout the book the author displays Bella as an extremely uncoordinated person. For example, “I had enough trouble not falling down when the ground was dry” (Meyer). The clumsy theme perpetuates the social construct that women are less athletic. Another example of this is when she drops her books as she is trying to avoid Edward after class. A theme that is constant throughout the book is that fact Bella’s self confidence is really low. She describes herself as an idiot and brainless. There are many examples were she feels beneath Edward because of her lack of intelligence. On the other hand Bella is able to trick Jacob in to telling her secret information. This shows she is not completely helpless on her own. Another example of her low self confidence is when she describes Edward as out of her league and how it was stupid for her to consider the idea of being with him. In Twilight the author Meyer uses lots of foreshadowing to hint that Edward is a vampire, an example of this when Meyer states, “No blood, No Foul” (Meyer). Edward says this line with a smile implying his thirst for blood. Also Meyer foreshadows the future when she describes Bella’s dreams and how she is chasing Edward and cannot catch him. This is foreshadowing Edward leaving Forks to protect Bella from harms way. Although most of the writing is corny there are a few sentences that stood out as really good writing. I like how the author describes the Bella’s old truck as “mind numbing”. However, the author portrays Bella as a really weak person unable to stick up for what she wants. During the book Bella is attempting to drive home herself and Edward physically forces her into the car without much verbal and physical resistance from her. This perpetuates the false stereotype the women need to be taken care of by men. Another example of this is when Edward saves the day and rescues Bella from James. I would not recommend anyone to read this book it’s writing is at third grade level, it lacks action and excitement, and also Twilight perpetuates sexist stereotypes.