Because I'm not capable of forming coherent thoughts when put on the spot, I make a poor debate partner. However, I think I'm a pretty good blogger.So what makes Bella an interesting character? For me, it's simply the fact that she is just an ordinary girl! Bella is me, Bella is you! What's great about her is it's so easy to put yourself in her place while reading Twilight. What you may think she lacks in personality is where you can insert your own. She doesn't have to be entertaining. What carries the story forward is the things that happen around her. Not to mention the story is written from her perspective, so of course she isn't going to describe how completely awesome she is! She's shy, but she's very observant. I feel that Bella is a strong character and just because she falls in love, doesn't mean she isn't! She has a very private mind, and that's why Edward is fascinated by her. She didn't set out looking to find love, but couldn't help but be drawn to Edward because of what he is. By nature, his voice is mesmerizing, he smells fantastic, and he's completely gorgeous! In fact, once she discovers he's a vampire, it only shows how strong she is by choosing to be with him because of how dangerous it is.
In New Moon, Bella sort of falls apart when Edward leaves. But not because she's weak. This is what Stephenie has to say about it on her website:
"There are those who think Bella is a wuss. There are those who think my stories are misogynistic—the damsel in distress must be rescued by strong hero.
To the first accusation, I can only say that we all handle grief in our own way. Bella's way is no less valid than any other to my mind. Detractors of her reaction don't always take into account that I'm talking about true love here, rather than high school infatuation.
I emphatically reject the second accusation. I am all about girl power—look at Alice and Jane if you doubt that. I am not anti-female, I am anti-human. I wrote this story from the perspective of a female human because that came most naturally, as you might imagine. But if the narrator had been a male human, it would not have changed the events. When a human being is totally surrounded by creatures with supernatural strength, speed, senses, and various other uncanny powers, he or she is not going to be able to hold his or her own. Sorry. That's just the way it is. We can't all be slayers. Bella does pretty well I think, all things considered. She saves Edward, after all."
So I only see one reason not to like Bella... Jealosy. :)And I think that about sums it up.
So to those of you who have not read the book yet, I strongly urge you to do so. You will fall in love with it.
And by the way, the movie was still awesome the third time!!!
4 comments:
Very well said - but the one observation I want to make is this - Bella has no hobbies, goals, or interests other than Edward. Even the most shy people in my high school was into something - whether it be church, music, horses, cats, art, babysitting, etc. Bella has none of these, nor does she want them. The kids who had no hobbies also usually had no friends in my high school. Bella would not have been popular or well liked. Can you imagine a conversation with Bella? It wouldn't go anywhere unless it was about Edward.
I also think Bella is a bad role model - yes, high school kids fall in love and with strong emotions, but if you don't have the support of family, friends, and hobbies, that love takes over your whole life, to the point where you do nothing but obsess over this love. I know I wouldn't want my niece or small cousin to be anything like Bella. She's boring, and I don't see true love with Bella and Edward, I see a vampire who's finds an interesting anomaly because he can't read her mind, and the girl is very lonely so attaches herself to the first man who shows any interest to her. This is not a healthy relationship.
I think you are right, this book is very popular because people identify with Bella, but only one very shallow part with that feeling of being in high school and being very much alone. It also doesn't help that being in love is such a great feeling, and the author describes it so well in this book. But Bella is a very one-dimensional character, and that collapses under scrutiny.
If you can find a copy, take a look at Sunshine, by Robin McKinley. A great book, with an interesting lead teenage female character and a vampire, its more fantasy than teenage goth, but I think the vampires are more interesting, and the lead character bakes cinnamon rolls :)
-Carrie
Also, this isn't an attack on Twilight, I'm just trying to figure out why people like this book so much! And this book does suck you in, it might not be well written, or well characterized, but its a great read if you don't want anything deep or think about it too hard. -Carrie
Not being the fan that some of you are I never read the books and I only saw the movie once.
These vampires especially Edward is hot. They tell you this when all of them walk in at lunch. All of the girls want him but he is to good for any of the girls in town. Well if I could read minds I would probably be a little picky myself.
Any new person that moves into town is not going to have any hobbies that you are going to want to share with anyone. Plus hobbies would take second. Your goal is to make some friends. Being new she is picked up by a group of people and become friends. Thats the way it happens at a new school. Maybe not the perfect match every time but you will either move on after or you will learn to like these people and the same goes with the people that pick you up.
Bella is a very smart girl. She catches the attention of the hottest guy at school. She figures out probably the most amazing mystery in town is true.
Its because she is strong that she attracts him. Other people are confused and they are made week by their confusion. This shows how strong Bella is. What makes her popular is that she has attracted the hottest most intriguing guy in school.
Who would not want a strong, caring, beautiful, guy around. A guy that is so addicted to you that he can not stand to be away from you.
Thats just my 5 cents. I have other thougts though.
But how do you know she doesn't have hobbies, or wouldn't have hobbies? She JUST moved to Forks, and didn't have time to really get into anything before the story really started. And I wouldn't say she doesn't have any hobbies. She enjoys cooking, and reading. Plus it's always raining, so she probably can't do the outside activities she would have enjoyed in Phoenix. And on top of that, she's too klutzy to be into anything sports-related.
Also... Nobody is saying Bella is a role model. That has nothing to do with it. It's just a story.
However, Bella is intelligent, strong, independent, caring, and self-sacrificing. I don't really see that as being a bad role model. The girl doesn't even smoke or drink.
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