[Contains spoilers.]
I’ve gone way out of my way to try to find something to like about Twilight. I saw the first movie last year and was actually completely flabbergasted at how bad it was. Not just bad in the obvious uppity queer feminist ways, but bad in terms of film and narrative. I thought Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson had absolutely no chemistry (which shocked me) and I couldn’t find anything likable about any of the characters, besides Jacob and Carlisle. I just didn’t get it. Usually I get it. I find something to like. I find myself understanding why so many people like it, even though it’s horrible and regressive. But, watching the first Twilight movie left me in an utter state of confusion. Even though the two leads are attractive, they spend so much of the movie making weird pained faces at each other I couldn’t even enjoy the gaze.
Then, I read the first book. Film adaptations are usually lacking, so I figured the book had to be better. Because the characters lacked chemistry so much in the movie, I found their actions, for the most part, completely baffling. I thought the book would, if nothing else, lend some “deeper” insight. And it did, a little. The book was better than the film. But not much better. I mean, Stephanie Meyer’s writing is atrocious. Bella’s narration is grating; and her penchant for clumsy recklessness notwithstanding, she’s an empty shell of a character. I found myself skimming/skipping entire pages. Maybe even entire chapters. I was hoping to at least find some quirky dialogue; something endearing. Bella’s supposed to be this awkward outcast character, and aside from being an idiot with no self-preservation instincts I don’t understand why. And more importantly, I don’t care. And if I can’t find anything to like about the character whose every thought drives the narrative, what the hell am I supposed to do?
Then, last night, I watched New Moon. I went into viewing New Moon with a lot of preconceptions. I assumed this Team Edward vs. Team Jacob nonsense meant these were two distinctly different characters. I assumed this was a “bad boy” vs. “nice guy” scenario. I was decidedly Team Edward (as I almost always side with the “brooding bad boy”) until I read the book and found out Team Edward was Team Stalking Domineering Douchebag and defected to Team Jacob. Upon watching New Moon I discovered Jacob is Edward, just younger, buffer and warmer. He’s equally if not more controlling than Edward, probably more selfish (if that’s even possible), and also struggles constantly to control the monster inside that endangers Bella (though to a lesser extent than Edward, who desires to literally consume her every moment since they’ve met). Both make it their personal mission to “protect” Bella because they “love” her. What confuses me most about all this (more than why an author would create two almost identical characters for any reason other than utter lack of creativity) is the fact people even see Jacob as competition for Edward. Sure, he stands in as a potential love interest, but at no point did I get the feeling Bella was even remotely close to “choosing” him. After making his feelings known and clear several times, she rebuffs his advances without fail. It’s only when he has her backed against the kitchen sink that he gets even remotely close to making what I see as unwanted lip contact.
Somehow, I think if I can find something to like about the Twilight Saga, it’ll bother me less that it’s so completely indicative of the anti-feminist climate in which we currently live. If I could say that Bella is a strong female protagonist, or that there’s room to read something subversive into the character relationships or the story (a point I still think may still be plausible with the Jacob arc, if I really really stretch). But instead, the deeper I look, the more I find the same romanticization and reenthrenchment of patriarchal values that validate and promote violence against women.
I categorize this as “in progress” because I intend to continue to engage with the series.
