Previous posts on the Twilight Series
Poster with Edward and Bella for the Upcoming Twilight film due out November 21
If Bella is what readers relate to, Edward is what readers are attracted to. Edward Cullen is a 17 year old boy, for eternity. He was born in the early 20th century and lost both his parents to influenza in 1917 and he himself was on his deathbed until a vampire bit him. Carlisle, a vampire who for 200 years had given up human blood and fed only on animals and assimilated himself into human society by becoming a doctor, bit Edward to save him from the horrible death influenza brought on and also to bring a companion and partner into his life. Edward like Carlisle resisted his urges to feed on human blood and instead hunted animals to curb his cravings and he too tried to assimilate into human society by attending high school.
80 plus years after becoming a vampire he meets Bella and their romance begins. Edward is described as beautiful, muscular, and pale skinned. He is quite an intimidating figure to most kids in his high school and keeps to his small group of “siblings” (other vampires who live with him and Carlisle as a family and also abstain from human blood). Underneath his cold persona is a mature being with plenty of charm.
He is incredibly chivalrous always opening doors and looking out for Bella. His super human powers give him extreme strength, quickened speed, heightened senses, and the ability to read peoples thoughts… except of course for Bella’s. He lives in Forks because of the overcast rainy weather, which shields him from the sun. The sun does not kill him however it causes his skin to glow and sparkle. He does not sleep, he does not breathe, and his skin is always cold. Edward is a character of great desire and passion.
Edward connects with readers because he is truly every girl’s dream. He is vulnerable, complimentary, loving, caring, soothing, and will go to extreme lengths to protect the woman he loves. Edward is the boy that most girls are seeking for, but for some reason they seem to settle for less. Edward is a great example of the characteristics in a healthy relationship.
While he has the desire to kill her and taste her blood, he puts away his own selfish desires to uphold the integrity of their relationship. The author Stephanie really hits on the theme of desire. It goes hand in hand with boys in today’s culture putting away their sexual desires for girls in order to maintain the integrity of their relationship. As a 17 year old boy Edward is also well aware of his own sexual desires. Meyers makes it quite clear that there is chemistry between them, but Edward always draws the line at brief kisses. He makes clear comments that he must stop there for the desire is too great.
This was actually quite an encouraging aspect of the book. While the desire and sensuality is present the sexuality is not. (we will get into that more in the next post) Edward, minus the vampire thing, is what all girls should strive for in a relationship. Someone who values them, honors them, respects them, and suppresses their own desires no matter how great the body tells them they are to truly love the other person.
With that said there is not a teenage boy, in today’s culture, who is capable of constraining and suppressing their desires and emotions as well as Edward is. While girls should look for the characteristics that Edward possess they should also be aware that Edward is a fictional character with super human strengths and most boys are not like him. Edward is mature beyond his years, or maybe just mature for his years considering he is over a 100 years old. While Edward can handle the intimate settings that he finds himself in with Bella without crossing the line, most boys can not and girls need to be aware of that.
In the next post we will look at the relationship between Bella and Edward and examine the themes of desire, sensuality, and sexuality as they play themselves out in the book.
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