Teen Ink

theflamingorange said...
Oct. 23 at 9:49 pm:

The thing that kills me- this author insisted that feminism was a theme! UGH!

 

Fayrouz replied...
Oct. 30 at 6:43 pm :

i personally think the story was just FINE, not that terrific, but somewhat DECENT until everyone started getting obsessed with it.

 

Catcat replied...
yesterday at 9:25 am :

Actually, I never insisted that feminism is a theme of the book. This is a method of literary analysis called feminist criticism.
What kills me is when people are clearly ignorant about a certain subject, and still feel the need to run their mouths about it.

 

theflamingorange replied...
yesterday at 8:08 pm :

Sorry, my comment wasn't very clear. I meant the author of the Twilight books. I enjoyed your article and should've made that clearer.

 

Buffy staked Edward in his heart....THE END

 

theflamingorange replied...
Oct. 23 at 9:48 pm :

I wish that really happened! Edward is a jerk and Buffy is awesome!

 

headinclouds replied...
Nov. 6 at 8:54 pm :

i <3 buffy, edward annoys me... too wannabe shakespeare...

 

you suck....twilight rocks!!!!!!!!!!! booooo

 

Kitten111 said...
Oct. 9 at 3:54 am:

It makes sence but you have taken this to extreme. Twilight is FICTION after all and there are special settings and concequences where it requiers edward to SWOOP IN. The whole sexist thing is vaguely true but what about in the end of breaking dawn when bella saves EVERYONE once shes a vampire. I think its mre like the humans are defenceless and the vampiers save them. Sorry just my thoughts, well written though and your entitled to your opinion. I do get fusturated with where its gone but ... (more »)

 

morgie7<3 said...
Sep. 4 at 9:33 pm:

Ok....I read Twilight and went through a time where i was completely in love with it.... Yes, Edward swoops in to save her but it's not just, like Smiley Riley said, everyday issues that he's saving her from, its stuff thats rele a big deal that she couldn't have handled on her own. But I do see what your saying and I think that Bella is way too dependant on Edward to make her life good...and people are WAYYY too obsessed with the Twilight Saga. Anyway, good job on a piece and t... (more »)

 

GirlWithWings56 said...
Aug. 28 at 12:56 am:

Okay. I think you totally missed the point. Yes, Edward does "swoop in" and save Bella, hold open the car door for her, etc. And maybe that is a bit sexist, yes. But I think you should keep in mind that EDWARD WAS BORN IN 1901. He was *raised* by those morals. Those types of prejudices were *taught* back then. (Oh yeah, and he is a vampire.)

And maybe Bella is kind of (okay, very) dependant upon Edward, but "an evil temptress"? She loves Edward, and he loves her, and yes, they're... (more »)

 

Kayley H. said...
Aug. 25 at 10:30 am:

Some parts I agree with, but I found twilight a good read and throughly enjoyed it.

 

Thank you so much! I agree with you. Maybe not on the whole Adam and Eve part, but definitely that obsessive love is not love at all, it's power control. I think it's a good series if you don't take it seriously, but of course, after reading it, I myself went through a 'I WANT EDWARD!!!' stage. The truth is, the relationship is not only romanticized, but also justified by the fact he's a vampire. Thank you so much for writing this article.

 

CandyCookieCream said...
Aug. 23 at 2:10 pm:

Twilight is a dazzling hit, for teen ands adluts. I WOULDN'T say it's about a despreate girl when she meets her beloved Vampire sweetie. You go that wrong- pal! (say what you think...) But it's about a girl who finds a perfect picture in a wrong picture- she would have ever thought sh ecould find thisodd picture at. It's about what you want but cana't amedentally have. About secreats, more like Romeo and Juilet if you ask me. She doesn't equal to an "evil temtress'! Where di... (more »)

 

Kelsey A. said...
Aug. 22 at 9:36 pm:

I heavily disagree with this. Edward only "swoops" in when Bella needs to be saved, like, LIFE THREATENING situations. I, personally, do not "look up" to Bella. But I do want an Edward, a boy who genuinely loves me, and would never do anything to hurt or upset me. So, I do not find Twilight sexist in the least. I love the books and movies. Rock on Twilight!!

 

SmileyRiley<3 said...
Aug. 13 at 5:47 pm:

im sorry but i completely disagree. i think you're reading into it too much. edward "swoops" in to save bella in times of MORAL PERIL not hmm should i have eggs or pancakes. and it's not a problem for girls to want an "Edward" although i do not see this peice eye to eye it was very well written. good job

 

Kelly D. said...
Aug. 11 at 3:04 am:

Although I can see where this view comes from, it can also have a reverse message on the reader. Wouldn't it be highly probably that "twilight" makes girls seem superior? Here we see a creature that is so strong and smart, and yet while he has been in this world for so long he cannot resist a simple, human girl? He continues to be drawn by Bella until he can no longer fight it. Same for Bella's mother. Simple town of Forks can not contain the spirt in this woman so she needs to leave and ... (more »)

 

I just wanted to compliment you not only on your pointing out the gender relations in the series but your refreshing literary take as Bella and Edward as a modern Adam and Eve. I'm a little jealous that I didn't think of it first. Also, I may have only read the first book, but I think Bella is just too uninteresting to be the narrator of her own book.

 

Alyssa S. said...
Aug. 10 at 2:13 pm:

That is so true. Though I like the twilight saga I didn't like that it is a bit sexist. To think a girl wrote this.

 

uhm i really don't know about others, but twilight didn't affect my views on "the perfect guy" and "the perfect couple". bella striked me as...well a drip, really, from the fir

 

I couldn't agree with more with this article. I have read Twilight(only the first book I admit) and I am infuriated. Not only with Bella's obsession with her boyfriend who wants to eat her, but also with the mass obsession of teenage girls across the country. I am getting very sick and tired of this Lion and Lamb business and having very few people point out how disturbing it is. Of course, there is nothing wrong with a good romance (Don't get me wrong, they make up half my movie collec... (more »)

 

Rockerray101 said...
Aug. 3 at 3:51 pm:

Okay I am getting sick of all of this. His-Bright-Green-Eyes, I agree with you. Get Over THIS!!!!!!!!!!

 

kelly A. said...
Aug. 2 at 7:19 pm:

Okay! well i have to say this i loved this series but i do agree that the views in this book are some what sexist. But it is fiction! I will admit that i had become depressed after reading this book thinking that i will never find a guy like that then it hit me no one on earth ever will! so i got over it! i think this is a very good book to read but in my opinion i think that you should be over a certain age to where you aren't obsessive with it! I think that it is ridiculous how teenage girl... (more »)

 

AquariusSun&Moon said...
Jul. 31 at 7:10 pm:

First: I do not 'look up' to Bella (and I know no one who does). Second: Edward is not abusive. He is protecting Bella because the world she now lives in has dangers that are beyond her ability to protect herself from. Third: Ever heard of FICTION???? Bella and Edward can be whoever they want to be (i.e. Bella only being happy around Edward).

 

His-Bright-Green-Eyes... said...
Jul. 30 at 7:42 pm:

Okay everyone, IT'S FICTION! WHY ARE WE TALKING TRASH ABOUT IT? and stephanie meyer CAN write. I believe that the books are NOT sexist. They are wonderfully written. and i agree with everything that BellaBarbaric said. she is not helpless. If she was she wouldn't have saved them all in breaking dawn. She would've just died of depression in new moon but she held on. i am really tired of hearing such stupid opinions on this series. it's fiction. shut up and get over it if you dont like... (more »)

 

BellaBarbaric said...
Jul. 28 at 11:27 pm:

I don't agree with this at all. I may be slightly bias as a fan of the series but I am also strongly against sexism and if you think Bella Swan is a Evil Temptress you really don't know the series. Bella also is not a helpless female character , she often saves Edward, at the end of New Moon, She is willing to sacrificce herself in Eclipse, saves everyone in Breaking Dawn and she saves Edward from himself and by the end of the series turns him into a better person

 

Rockerray101 said...
Jul. 25 at 5:05 pm:

I think I deserve a pony from ..

 

CSHLo said...
Jul. 24 at 2:28 pm:

I think this article has proven some controversy about the Twilight series but to be honest needs it. Personally, books are there to be read and talked about. With Twilight having so many positive comments it's a good idea to see the other side of it. Well written!

 

Rockerray101 said...
Jul. 21 at 1:20 pm:

Poorly Written? Ibissforever what are you talking about. They are great. Everyone needs to get over this. The books are NOT SEXIST! Bella is a heroine plenty of times.EVen though I think Edward wouldn't be the perfect boyfriend for girls. Jacob would have been better. And Bella has guts. She waswilling to sacrifice herself in Eclipse for Edward. That shows how far love will go!

 

ibissforever said...
Jul. 17 at 2:15 am:

I completely agree with this. I notice in some of the other comments people are saying "it's just a book"... but that "just a book" has an effect on a LOT of teenage girls. Edward is presented as the "perfect" boyfriend, when in reality, jealousy and controlling behavior is NOT attractive (examples of this include him taking the engine out of Bella's car so she can't see Jacob). And as to Bella having more of a purpose in life than being with Edward and becoming a sparkly vampire: what ... (more »)

 

forever_dancer said...
Jul. 15 at 12:56 am:

Ladies, lets get our facts straight. Edward is FAKE!!!! Bella, again, is FAKE!!! some girls seem to model relationships and themselves after bella and edward and i just gotta say, are we really that stupid???
(Yes i read twilight and Meyer cant write at all.) And i dont care about the book, but the fact that some girls look up to bella! Are you serious? we live in a world where we have tons of technology,food ,resources, and all sorts of things, so cant we be a little more self sufficia... (more »)

 

Rockerray101 said...
Jul. 11 at 3:42 pm:

I am a guy and I love the Twilight series. You made some interesting points that I haven't thought of before. But it isn't two sexist. I think it's just a book. Something for people to enjoy. Plus Stephenie Myers is a woman so you think she is sexist to herself? I was raised to think that boys and girls are equal and even though some of it is sexist it is fine. Bella is not a temptress. Edward loves her. And I know he plays withe her emotions but he wants her to be safe. Is it wrong for... (more »)

 

I don't agree with this article.
I agree with PolartheBard.

 

Shereen said...
Jul. 5 at 1:08 am:

Although I think your writing is absloutley INCREDIBLE, I have to make 1 point.
I agree that Bella is portrayed as helpless in this book , which you obviouslly dislike , but you seem to neglect that she is portrayed in that way because she lives in a place were murderous vampires exist , AS IN BOOK WORLD. So I doubt Stephnie Meyer intended to portraye woman as helpless. Just woman who live in a town with vampires ! Dont you agree?

 

amyxu said...
Jun. 24 at 8:37 pm:

Wow, a lot of mixed responses to your article. I've never read the twilight series myself, but I've seen the enormous effect it's had on my peers. Many are obsessed but some take it all in moderation. I think that's one of the great things about books because they can be interpreted in so many ways (hence the controversies). Vampires and blood have never held an attraction for me...neither have teen idols like Edward. When people get so obsessed with a storybook character, they are r... (more »)

 

Katie W. said...
Jun. 23 at 5:51 pm:

I certaintly am no Twilight fan, and I find myself nodding at your article. However, despite my own disgust at the personality-lacking heroine that is Bella, I do not believe the books are as extremely sexist as you make them out to be; though they are, at times, close to confirming your fears. And I also believe that many young women are going to face surreal heartbreak over a man that never even exsisted. A puzzling problem indeed.

 

I tink you have a point, but in new moon and eclipse, bella starts to feel protective of jacob and wants to ease his pain, even though, he, being a werewolf, should be doing the opposite.

 

Interesting Article. I agree with your opinion on The Twilight Saga itself but with Bella, who knows. Honestly after reading the whole collection, I think it's fine to say that its shown that Bella has more purposes in life than just being with Edward.

Thanks
- Kaitlyn
New York

 

I agree and disagree. For one thing, yes, the relationship between Bella Swan and Edward Cullen does not exactly send the most positive message to everyone, but I think the fact that Edward is protective is a good thing. Edward cares about Bella but sometimes Bella can be a tad bit obsessed, I'll admit. But I think this message proves to girls around the world that they need a relationship full of protection, not one full of abuse. Sure, the relationship could [and in our society, WILL] light... (more »)

 

Chrissy L. said...
Jun. 12 at 9:12 pm:

Listen, its a book.
Bella is not evil, I have no idea why you say that even after I've read your article. And the reason Edward "saves" Bella most of the time is because Edward is immortal, Bella is not.
Twilight is a fun romance book that some girls may like a bit too much. But most of us are reasonible, sane people who don't nit-pick our beach reads for "reasons the world thinks women are inferior to men".

 

Jordon said...
Jun. 11 at 12:34 pm:

Really well written, but I absolutely disagree. x

 

mynameiscotter said...
Jun. 9 at 8:19 pm:

I have one thing to say... Real VAMPIRES don't sparkle. Long live the Classical Anne Rice =]

 

EdytD said...
May 31 at 10:53 pm:

In response to xworldlyxwondersx, I think what the author is trying to say is that when Edward leaves Bella, she cannot survive w/out him. Whatever happened to female independance and individuality?
It may be a fairy tale, but why is it that in all fairytales the princess is helpless when she meets her adversary, and needs a knight in shining armor to save her? Is she not just as capable?
Bella as a whole is a shallow, histrionic, and inept character. I cannot speak for the rest of t... (more »)

 

EdytD said...
May 31 at 10:40 pm:

I wholeheartedly agree. I've always thought Twilight was poorly written, and you gave a strong boost to my arguments against many of my friends who are big fans. :) The novels are poorly written, the characters are flat and histrionic, and the plot is cliched and strange. (The whole damsel-in-distress idea has been overused since fairy-tales were first published. And what's with the sparkly vampires versus the evil vampires?) Furthermore, I would have thought that the books were written by... (more »)

 

ilovehorses said...
May 30 at 10:00 pm:

Okay well first of all it might not be equal. But who cares! the book was made that way. Bella and the other woman are portrayed that way because its just the relationship to them and other characters. its also humerous at times. You dont need to look soo hard to find somehting bad about twilight. there great books and no MAYBE THEY ARNT PERFECT but who cares! they are wonderful books and have GREAT meaning. i agree with SAMMY LOVE_twilight!

 

really, dude, if we threw out everything that even seemed a little sexist, then most reality tv, most music (*rap*) and all Disney movies would be gone with the wind. and as for your point about all the female/male relationships being sexist- what about Alice? or Rosilee? and if you keep reading the actual books and not just the cliffs notes (which, no offense but it seems that your judgements are based on) then you'll see that she learns to be happy without Edward and HE comes back to HER b... (more »)

 

birdie said...
May 28 at 12:47 am:

i never really thought about twilight as being sexist but after reading what catherine.s. had to say i totally agree with her

 

brina said...
May 24 at 7:51 pm:

Hay! I read the books because well reading books i CAN GET AWAYA FROM STUPID STUFF. So I think the books are well written, because the author managed to get me to stop freaking out and just enjoy the story line.

 

Theresa S. said...
May 23 at 8:15 pm:

I totally Agree with (Alyssa J.) She has made the BEST point.....

 

Alyssa J. said...
May 17 at 8:03 pm:

Well written piece, although I absoulutley disagree with what you are getting at. If you have even read the book, you would have noticed that Bella consistently cares and cooks for her father, and when she says she isn't worried about her mom because she has Phil, its because Renee was a bit irresponsible. The ability of being responsible has nothing to do with gender. And of course girls want their own Edward! Just like every girl has wanted to be Cinderella and have her own Prince Charming.... (more »)