The Deal with Twilight

In the current pop culture of today there are three groups to which people can belong. Fans of Twilight. Unaware or neutral about Twilight. Dislikers of Twilight. It is very popular to belong to two of these groups – the Fans and the Dislikers or Critics. It is rather funny and odd that when Twilight comes up in conversation everyone I know falls into these three groups. What is even more funny is that the loudest group by far, in my experience, are the Dislikers.

Nine times out of ten Dislikers haven’t read the books, and if they have they only read a portion of the first book. Nine times out of ten Dislikers have somehow or another, and usually against their will or simply out of boredom, seen parts of the films.

I have nothing against Dislikers. If you dislike Twilight, by all means, continue doing so. There are things in the books that I dislike as well. However, what I do object to is the claim that most Dislikers make that the books are "stupid" which consequently implies that the people who read them must be stupid. It seems to make sense, right? Smart people read smart books, stupid people read stupid books. Well, that’s what we like to tell ourselves anyway because that’s simple and easy and a nice packaged judgement that doesn’t take getting to know a person at all.

This leads to a new question: why are the books so popular? To paraphrase John Granger in his analysis on the popularity of the Harry Potter series in How Harry Cast His Spell, it must be because the books are so badly written and people are so stupid. Really? Over a million copies sold because there are this many stupid people? Again, to paraphrase Granger, I cannot think this likely.

If the "stupid" argument is not the case then what accounts for the vast popularity? What is the need in society that these books are meeting? Ridiculous romance fantasies? Those books already exist; you’ve seen that section in the bookstore and none of them are as popular as Twilight. People like stories about vampires? Sure we do. Anne Rice’s series certainly proved that before Twilight ever came along. But again, is it really just the vampire thing that has made these books so popular?

Here’s the answer that makes sense to me. The relationship between Edward and Bella, at its core, is one of real love. Now, I know that sounds cheesey and over-simplified so let me explain.

Both Edward and Bella have faults, have things, big things that they don’t like about themselves or that they find wrong with themselves. Both Edward and Bella look past these faults and love the other.

Bella doesn’t think a lot of herself. She doesn’t see her value, talent, or abilities. I’ve heard lots of people say Bella has no personality and is an empty character. I can see this point of view. But perhaps this is the case because Bella struggles greatly, as many teenagers do, with her identity. This struggle with identity is heightened when she moves to a new town to live with her estranged father. Edward’s response to Bella is, ‘I love you even though you are insecure. I see your value and I believe in it. I see your ability for strength, kindness and love. I love you past and beyond what you don’t love about yourself.’

Edward doesn’t think a lot of himself. He thinks he’s lost his soul because he’s a vampire. Shall we say an unnatural man? That is to say a man who feels out of place with nature, disconnected, and separated. He is also somewhat ashamed of what he is – he sees himself, and was for a while when he hunted humans, a monster towards humanity. Bella’s response to Edward is, ‘I love you even though you think you’ve lost your soul. I see your integrity, honor, and courage and belive in it. I see how your choices in favor of humanity reconnect you to the natural world. I love you past and beyond what you don’t love about yourself.’

Getting away from all the vampire, depressed-girl stuff, this is what is at the core of Edward and Bella’s relationship. They see what is good in the other, and they see the potential for even greater goodness. They also want what is best for the other regardless of their own feelings (well most of the time). New Moon displays this most clearly. Edward leaves because he thinks that’s what’s best for Bella and her life even though it hurts him. Bella goes to save Edward because that is what’s best for him, even though she must encounter the man who rejected her and relive that rejection all over again.

Eclipse is where Edward gets off this path. He becomes a little too controling and stops Bella from seeing Jacob. Though he thinks he is doing what is best for her to protect her, he cannot see what is truly best for her because he’s blinded by his lack of control in the situation. Of course in Eclipse Jacob’s and the wloves’ involvement becomes essential and Edward learns he has to give up control in order to do what is best for Bella. There are several more examples of sacrificial love I that won’t go into at this time. Moving on.

If a relationshp, however strange or nearly obsessive, that is ultimately based on real love is what is at the core of these books then I must ask, what is stupid about that? What is stupid about wanting to be loved and accepted despite your insecurities and flaws? What is stupid about having the strength and compassion to love someone past their faults and even when it is inconvenient or painful for yourself? Nothing. It’s not stupid because if we’re honest with ourselves this is what everyone wants. I want someone to love me with this kind of love, and I hope I have the courage to love someone else in the same way.

Now, there are numerous other aspects that I could discuss on why these books are so popular; the respect for a female’s virginity, the respect for a male’s masculinity, the transition of growing into adulthood, the mystery and intrigue of the vampire and werewolf worlds, the infatuated and destiny-driven nature of Edward and Bella, the Edward, Bella, Jacob love triangle etc., but I won’t go on any further because I don’t think any of these are the core of the stories. And I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the stories are as popular as they are because of the portrayal of love. And not just any love, but the love we are all seeking.

So if Dislikers want to talk about how dumb it is that Edward sparkles, or how Bella is a hollow character, or how the books are poorly written, or whatever else they see wrong, I say go for it. However, realize that when you discuss these aspects of the books you are not discussing what lies at the heart of these stories, but peripheral matters.