As someone who is totally immersed in the fandom including writing fan fiction (though not in the likes of Fifty Shade, I don’t do alternate universe/alternate history, but prefer to stay within the cannon) I would like to offer my humble opinion.
The Movie: Brilliant! I loved how they moved the narrative along by a) personally visiting the witnesses as it saved lots of time with backstory, b) the battle should have been written into the book rather than just alluded to. This gave a very satisfying and realistic resolution to why the battle didn’t take place. Aro is all about power AND self-preservation. Kristen as a vampire can almost act and it was great to see “happy Edward’ for a change. One scene I loved in BD2 is where Edward confesses his faults in underestimating Bella’s inner strength and courage which leads to my next point:
Character Analysis
As far as the seemingly unhealthy relationship between Edward & Bella consider:
- This story, while a love story, can also be a coming of age story where Bella finally finds herself and where she belongs. This is never more evident than when she is a vampire. I believe Ms. Meyer was very deliberate in her character naming: Bella Swan – beautiful swan that she has become instead of the ugly duckling as we met her (remember, the story is told from Bella’s point of view). She had it in her all along but was blinded by her perceptions.
- Edward, while 109 years old, is for all intents and purposes a 17 year old boy when it comes to girls. Additionally, in the time period which he was born, women were to taken care of and considered delicate – he has no other frame of reference other than his siblings whom care for each other with just as much fervor as an imprinting is for the wolves. Edward has explained that vampires don’t change much and when they do, it is permanent. Lastly, Edward has kind of sleepwalked his immortal years. He lost himself in studies and looked at attending high school as a form of purgatory for his nature with no interest in getting involved with the culture or people more than necessary to maintain the charade. Edward refers to her often as being as fragile as a soap bubble, and compared to his strength and lethal nature he is correct. You need to read “Midnight Sun.”
- With this knowledge, is it any wonder that Edward acts as does when he meets Bella? His whole world is turned upside down. He experiences romantic love/lust as he has never permitted himself as he considered himself a damned creature unworthy of such affection. And Bella is accident prone – these people exist in real life- and he feels an overwhelming need to protect her, because, face it, she needed it ( struck by the van, the gang in the parking lot, Victoria, etc).
- Bella is not the wallflower the naysayers claim she is. It was on her initiative that she moved to Forks in the first place – to help her mom in her new marriage. She is responsible in her studies, home life and work life – even when she was depressed. She cares fiercely for those she loves – when her life was in danger her first thought was always of her father. And when Edward was overbearing she made her opinions known even to the point of defying him in her relationship with Jacob. And she forgave him, so? He forgave her, too. In many respects she is like Edwards having never had the interest to form romantic relationship until he entered her life. And in the bloom of first love, who was not obsessive about their partner? Wanting to spend every waking (Edward doesn’t sleep) hour together? Feeling the rush of hormones? Speaking excessively about ‘forever’ and how handsome they are? These characters are late-bloomers, old-souls and should be given the benefit of the doubt.
Now whether you agree/accept or even like this analysis, doesn’t matter. This, I believe, is why women of all ages have embraced this story despite its anachronistic sentiments.
