What's wrong with the Twilight series??

[Butwhyistherumgone?]

Bella is a spineless, unstable wimp, chasing around after Edward pathetically. She's willing to give up everything, including her family and friends, to be with him after knowing him for a very short time. Indeed, she's willing to chuck aside her humanity. I don't see anything admirable in her character at all.

What you dont see the romance in that?? LOL
I was not impressed with the series to say the least.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I'm always surprised at how few people are creeped out by the imprinting thing.

I found it exceedingly creepy.

 

[LoraJ]

Bella is a spineless, unstable wimp, chasing around after Edward pathetically. She's willing to give up everything, including her family and friends, to be with him after knowing him for a very short time. Indeed, she's willing to chuck aside her humanity. I don't see anything admirable in her character at all.

Spineless Bella ends up saving all of her loved ones in the end with her powers. Her being in love with Jacob would tick me off. She just agreed to marry Edward and now she's off kissing Jacob. Edward should have left her to fend for herself against Victoria.

But, what she gives up is her choice for something that she wishes to gain. Women give up spending time with their family to have careers. She finds a way to keep her parents in her life. She was kind of a loner anyway, and her friends have moved on. Not much of a loss. She still has Jacob in her life.

Weak and spineless are more like character flaws than anti-feminist.

ETA:
Also, even though her boyfriend is filthy rich, she refuses to let him support her financially. She gets a part time job to make her own money to save for college. She'd rather drive a 50 year old truck than have him buy her a new Audi.

 

[MrsPete]

What exactly are the anti-feminist messages in these books?

I like them, I hate that I like them lol. I think Bella is weak, probably the weakest character in the series. She just happens to look nice and aparently smell good. I'd rather see a strong female lead.

Bella certainly makes a "comeback" in the last book. She proves herself stronger than Edward, and she protects her child. Then she saves everyone with her shield ability. Of course, you have to get through three whole books BEFORE she stops being the damsel in distress.

Really, I don't have any concerns that ONE SERIES will warp my girls.

I disagree that Bella is the weakest character in the series. What she wants, of course, is crazy, but at least she is consistant in her goals -- goal.

The weakest character in the series has to be CHARLIE. What a feckless creature he is!

Honestly, this guy should be up for worst father EVER. He's the sherriff, and he doesn't have a clue that his teenaged daughter's boyfriend is in his own upstairs every single night? From the start, he seems to vaugely dislike Edward, yet he seems unable to do anything about it. He sees his daughter doing crazy things, and he does nothing about it? He leaves her alone all the time to go fishing, even when she's obviously in serious trouble? And then in the last book -- after she's married -- he sees signs that something's really, really weird, and his only response is, "Just don't tell me anything I don't need to know."

Nope, Bella looks like Hercules, Superman, a pillar of strength next to dear old dad.

 

[Momvic5]

My point exactly and see below why. I know of no mainstream faith that prohibits Harry Potter or Twilight books. You have the right to censor your children's reading if you choose but don't spout faith or your perceived notion of what the books are about or "rooted in" without actually reading the book. These books are far less "evil" then most classics.

My faith is personal - not mainstream. I do not rely on mainstream religion to tell me if something is acceptable or not. Fictional or not...wizards/vampires do not draw their powers from the God I honor. For me, HP is as evil as the evil he conquers by the mere fact that he is a wizard. That idea alone cautions me against the books and how is reading the books going to change that fact for me? I can have an opinion and spout faith without reading the books...you just don't have to agree or understand it.

BTW...I did not say that I forbid them - I just don't encourage them...if I am going to encourage a book to my children, it is going to be a book based on my approval not the approval of the mainstream....

 

[MrsPete]

I found it exceedingly creepy.

I think if it were introduced earlier in the series we'd find it creepy . . . but after you've already bought into the idea of good vampires, werewolves that are really shapeshifters, and all the other stuff in the book, this seems like nothing.

 

[MrsPete]

Bella is a spineless, unstable wimp, chasing around after Edward pathetically. She's willing to give up everything, including her family and friends, to be with him after knowing him for a very short time. Indeed, she's willing to chuck aside her humanity. I don't see anything admirable in her character at all.

Yeah, the INSTANTLY falling in love and INSTANTLY being willing to give up everything are the kind of things that I think make for good discussion with teenaged girls. I see no problem with exposing them to the IDEA as long as they see it for what it really is.

 

[MrsPete]

Spineless Bella ends up saving all of her loved ones in the end with her powers. Her being in love with Jacob would tick me off. She just agreed to marry Edward and now she's off kissing Jacob. Edward should have left her to fend for herself against Victoria.

Her treatment of Jacob spawned quite a few conversations in this house! My girls were very, very Edward-focused. They even saw Jacob as a jerk who was just getting in the way. But after we discussed Jacob's loyalty, all his actions to protect her . . . and then her actions towards him, my girls thought Jacob was a good guy after all. They were still enthralled with Edward, but they saw Jacob for what he really was -- a good choice.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My objection to the series is that the author thru it in the garbage. That is my genre and she ruined the storyline because she was done with it.

To have Bella pregnant was so stupid. She could have done so better with her storyline.

And also echoing Mrs. Pete that they are not werewolves but shapeshifters is just irritating. I did overlook it though.

I am in the middle of Book 4. I got so disgusted I have not read the rest of it.

 

[Rora]

I read the series and thought them to be just okay. I thought Bella was SUPER annoying (especially in the 2nd book- oh my goodness) and that things happened very abruptly. Edward wants to kill her but then all of a sudden they're in love? How'd that happen?! That's something that's always bothered me. I just felt it happened waaayyy too fast.

I thought the 4th book was downright trashy. I did not want to read about how "horny" they were all the time. Seriously. Enough.

I felt the whole series was predictable but it was still a fun read. I'm glad I read them just to have read them but I would certainly not read them again. I don't think I'd prohibit them from my (future) children and I'm a pretty conservative Christian. That being said, I wouldn't let my kids read them until probably middle school (especially the 4th one).

I love Harry Potter-- maybe that interfered with my opinion of Twilight?

The MOST anticlimactic climax ever put on paper, and of course, the worst character name ever invented (and I've read high fantasy!).

That's what is "wrong" with Twilight. Is it harmful? No. Is it inappropriate for teens and tweens? No.

I agree that it was anticlimactic.. VERY anticlimactic. And, the baby's name is probably the worst name ever!

I'm always surprised at how few people are creeped out by the imprinting thing.

I'm creeped out!!

 

[Lanshark]

I read the books because I have a couple of girls in my class (12&13) who read the series. I teach decoding and am happy whenever they read. That said, I didn't like the message these books send to young girls.

Bella is in love with Edward. As others have stated, she is willing to give up her life, soul and family to be with him after a short period of time. I found her to be a spoiled brat who is willing to do anything or hurt anyone to be with her boyfriend. This is a high school girl.

I read the first two books and couldn't go any further. To summarize:

Bella: Edward I love you
Edward: Bella I love you but I am dangerous
Bella: Edward I don't care I'll do anything for you.
Edward: No you shouldn't
Bella: Yes I should
Edward: I must leave before I am tempted to suck your blood
Bella: Bite me

By the end of the second book I was hoping that Edward would turn her and Jake would kill them all..
In the end I guess I happy that my students are at least motivated to read something

 

[NHdisneylover]

I think if it were introduced earlier in the series we'd find it creepy . . . but after you've already bought into the idea of good vampires, werewolves that are really shapeshifters, and all the other stuff in the book, this seems like nothing.

Maybe. I still think the border line pedophilic notion of a mostly grown man falling instantly and completly in love with a newborn who he knws will one day be his "mate" and all of her family thinking this is a great idea--and mom especially because the man who is in lvoe with her daughter used to be the other boy she loved and now she can have both of her heartthrobs in one way or another wins the creepiest aspect of the whole series award hands down.

 

[DisGirlAllie]

I'm just being curious. I have seen a few people post that their kids are not allowed to see/read the Twilight series. I just read the first 2 books and saw the movies and I'm stumped There is no sex, no cursing in fact they were the tamest books/movies I've ever read/seen. My girls have zero interest...oldest saw the first movie and thought it stunk but I would have no objection to them seeing the movies and would actually love them to read the books b/c they never read!

There is a ton of sex in the fourth book. And there is cursing, but not quite as much as other books.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I don't know that I'd consider Bella wimpy. In Twilight, when she was being whisked away after the baseball game by the Cullen's because of James, she insisted on going home first to ensure Charlie's safety. Then when James called her on her cell telling her he had her mother as hostage, she immediately went to try and rescue her mom at the ballet studio.

In New Moon, she raced with Alice to Italy to save Edward even though doing so would put her life at risk because of the Volturi.

In Eclipse, when they had the standoff with Victoria, Riley, Jacob and Seth, Bella cut herself to cause a distraction because she couldn't stand being useless. Her aim was to be of help and hopefully keep Victoria from killing any of them.

Breaking Dawn is ALL about Bella's selflessness. She carried a baby that was nearly killing her. The birth actually did nearly kill her. Then she fought to learn how to defend all the people she loved with her special shield power in a short amount of time. She made plans for Jacob to escape with Reneesme during the battle so that she would survive.

Hmm, she sounds rather strong to me. Do I think these books are the best literature I've ever read? No. But I have to say they have been highly enjoyable and entertaining.

 

[DisGirlAllie]

I read the books because I have a couple of girls in my class (12&13) who read the series. I teach decoding and am happy whenever they read. That said, I didn't like the message these books send to young girls.

Bella is in love with Edward. As others have stated, she is willing to give up her life, soul and family to be with him after a short period of time. I found her to be a spoiled brat who is willing to do anything or hurt anyone to be with her boyfriend. This is a high school girl.

I read the first two books and couldn't go any further. To summarize:

Bella: Edward I love you
Edward: Bella I love you but I am dangerous
Bella: Edward I don't care I'll do anything for you.
Edward: No you shouldn't
Bella: Yes I should
Edward: I must leave before I am tempted to suck your blood
Bella: Bite me

By the end of the second book I was hoping that Edward would turn her and Jake would kill them all..
In the end I guess I happy that my students are at least motivated to read something

I much prefer that ending.

 

[MrsPete]

To have Bella pregnant was so stupid. She could have done so better with her storyline. .

Yeah, but didn't we see it coming a mile away after Rosalie's background story?

Maybe. I still think the border line pedophilic notion of a mostly grown man falling instantly and completly in love with a newborn who he knws will one day be his "mate" and all of her family thinking this is a great idea--and mom especially because the man who is in lvoe with her daughter used to be the other boy she loved and now she can have both of her heartthrobs in one way or another wins the creepiest aspect of the whole series award hands down.

I hear you, but in his defense, Edward -- who can read Jacob's thoughts -- specifically told Bella that Jacob wasn't thinking about Renesemee in sexual terms AT ALL. Just that his whole world centered around her, that he would do anything for her, etc.

Also, didn't we all see the "it's a girl and Jacob imprints" coming a mile away? I mean, after his friend (Quil?) imprinted on a child, we understood that this was possible, although not particularly a good thing. And it was the only thing that could've united the two groups.

 

[MrsPete]

There is a ton of sex in the fourth book. And there is cursing, but not quite as much as other books.

I'd say it's implied sex. You certainly KNOW what they're doing . . . but it's not described to us in graphic terms. Personally, I'm okay with my daughters reading that.

 

[EllaM]

Once upon a time, my vampire passion was absorbed in a little TV series called BtVS. It too had a dark and broody vampire in love with a teenage girl. A pretty blonde cheerleader, no less. Her parents were divorced. She was an average student absorbed in her whole world. But she had something Bella doesn't -- self esteem.

Or you could just watch this great mash-up someone did on Youtube of what would have happened if Edward had met Buffy instead of Bella.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZwM3GvaTRM

My niece adored the Twilight series. She watched Twilight the movie a hundred times over. New Moon disappointed her. I just find it all too teenage angsty and irritating. Twilight is designed to attract tweens with pseudo-adult material. But then women have loved vampire stories for pretty much the same reason: the dangerous bad boy, forbidden passions, emo overload.

 

[LoraJ]

I don't know that I'd consider Bella wimpy. In Twilight, when she was being whisked away after the baseball game by the Cullen's because of James, she insisted on going home first to ensure Charlie's safety. Then when James called her on her cell telling her he had her mother as hostage, she immediately went to try and rescue her mom at the ballet studio.

In New Moon, she raced with Alice to Italy to save Edward even though doing so would put her life at risk because of the Volturi.

In Eclipse, when they had the standoff with Victoria, Riley, Jacob and Seth, Bella cut herself to cause a distraction because she couldn't stand being useless. Her aim was to be of help and hopefully keep Victoria from killing any of them.

Breaking Dawn is ALL about Bella's selflessness. She carried a baby that was nearly killing her. The birth actually did nearly kill her. Then she fought to learn how to defend all the people she loved with her special shield power in a short amount of time. She made plans for Jacob to escape with Reneesme during the battle so that she would survive.

Hmm, she sounds rather strong to me. Do I think these books are the best literature I've ever read? No. But I have to say they have been highly enjoyable and entertaining.

 

[Rora]

Once upon a time, my vampire passion was absorbed in a little TV series called BtVS. It too had a dark and broody vampire in love with a teenage girl. A pretty blonde cheerleader, no less. Her parents were divorced. She was an average student absorbed in her whole world. But she had something Bella doesn't -- self esteem.

Or you could just watch this great mash-up someone did on Youtube of what would have happened if Edward had met Buffy instead of Bella.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZwM3GvaTRM

My niece adored the Twilight series. She watched Twilight the movie a hundred times over. New Moon disappointed her. I just find it all too teenage angsty and irritating. Twilight is designed to attract tweens with pseudo-adult material. But then women have loved vampire stories for pretty much the same reason: the dangerous bad boy, forbidden passions, emo overload.

The video was fantastic!!!