As most of you that follow this blog no doubtedly saw my eariler post "Thirsty". Well, this prompted a response from a friend that I found very interesting. So I thought I would give my thoughts on it, since his feelings about certain things to do with Twilight, run along the same line of other men I have discussed this with.
Twilight...Bella & Edward. Pride & Prejudice...Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Romeo & Juliet. These are basically the same story, but of course they differ in ways of context and storyline. So what makes me tell you that they are the same story? It is the love. The stories are great because of the EMOTIONS that the story teller envokes. I have run across many men that are threatened by the "perfection" of Edward. Ok, let's address this.
To really understand the first book in the series, Twilight, you MUST realize that it is written as if it were from the perspective of a teenage girl who is head over heels for a boy and whose every hormone is rampaging. This boy could have possibly been the UGLIEST boy on the planet, but she found him attractive and thus, "he's perfect".
A good majority of her thoughts on this would also have something to do with the fact that in Stephenie Meyers' Vampire world, the vampires are all perfect. They look perfect, the smell heavenly, everything about them draws you in. They are the perfect hunters. Those "tools" are to help them be more effective hunters. Essentially, they wouldn't need those traits because of their speed, strength and venom, but it makes them all that more alluring. The seductiveness of the vampire is nothing new in that genre. So what makes poor Edward the target for all this negativity about him being the perfect being? In truth, Edward is a very flawed character. He is consistantly doing things wrong through out the series.
Edward pretty much received a bad wrap because there are thousands upon thousands of females across this country...no...world, that have fallen in love with the series. Of course, if you ask a majority of them what it is about this book they love so much, they will respond with Edward. But I have really conteplated this and have come up with a different answer. I think we are all addicted to the FEELINGS the book prompts. It is a crazy love affair with all the adrenaline and seduction, but none of the smut...which in the end makes it all the hotter. It is temptation; having something you want so badly...but cannot have. This is the base of the "craze" that is going on. Bella is madly in love with Edward, and it is not because he's perfect, but rather, because he's an attractive riddle that she just can't seem to stay away from thanks to her fabulous teenage hormones. In fact, Bella kind of wishes that Edward didn't look so perfect. And Edward, he falls for Bella for the same reason...the riddle of what she is, because his desire to kill her is so very strong. Bella could die at any moment if Edward looses an inch of control. So how is it that the hunter can not only withstand killing his prey, but...fall in love with it?!
This story brings out the butterflies in your stomach, makes you catch your breathe and your adrenaline rush. That's why we all love the books so much. We love the feelings, the mood that the reading brings on.
Look at chick-flicks though. You ever wonder why they are so popular? For the same basic reason. It causes emotions. You connect with the star of the movie. You laugh, you cry, you hold your breathe.
So, what have we all learned here? Edward and all other leading men of stories, are not perfect. You could switch Edward out with someone else and if the writting was just as good...then you have perfection. Look at the Host, also by Stephenie Meyers. It is not the fictional man that men should be worried about, it is the fictional writting. So maybe, we should maybe take a look at what those triggers are that make the ladies "swoon"?
Almost anything a man really needs to know about a girls heart, he could learn from chick-flicks...if he paid attention. Besides, most of the ladies that I know, aren't thinking about Edward when it matters most, so fellas...don't be jealous! Read the books WITH your ladies!
Women are mostly emotion/mental, whereas men are mostly visual.
My 2 Cents.
4 comments:
Brooke,
Have you ever thought about writing books yourself? You are good at expressing yourself and thoughts in writing? Maybe you could be the next Stephenie Meyer? You are creative too.
Stacie
I have actually, but have yet to find a story. I am trying to work on one, but nothing concrete.
I respectfully disagree that chick flicks teach you how to treat a girl. They teach how to treat a girl who has or is falling for you; not how to get a girl to do so.
Case in point: I know for a fact that standing outside a girl's window holding a boombox playing Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" does not in fact make girls swoon.
You make a valid point. There does have to be some form of actual physical chemistry in the mix. Without it, the relationship may never get off the ground. But my point wasn't getting the girl to like you, it was the keys to her heart; I was making an example of WHY so many girls are enamored with Edward or chick-flicks to be general.
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