TWILIGHT BY STEPHENIE MEYER: PLOT SUMMARY / SYNOPSIS
CHAPTER 7. Nightmare Summary
Upon returning home, Bella tries not to think, listening to a CD that Phil gave her for Christmas. Despite the raucous sound of the band, the music distracts her enough until she falls asleep. However, she has a nightmare where she is in the forest and can hear the ocean nearby. She follow the sound of waves but Jacob Black emerges, telling her to run for her life. She then hears Mike calling out to her from the trees and Jacob turns into a wolf. Edward then steps out of the trees and beckons to her, telling her to trust him. As she walks towards him, the wolf that was Jacob leaps for Edward's jugular, at which point Bella awakes. It's already early morning and Bella tries to pass the morning without thinking before going on the internet - which is a slow dial-up connection - to research vampires. She finds a good deal of information on a site called Vampires A-Z, looking at different traditions behind vampires, but finding little that matched her own experience with Edward or Jacob's own stories. She goes out for a walk in the forest, which makes her suspicions seem less absurd, and she ponders what to do about her relationship with Edward. She realizes that in her nightmare, what made her cry "no" at the end wasn't the possible threat of Edward but that Edward could be harmed, making clear her choice. The next morning was a sunny day, which boosted Bella's mood. She arrives at school early and daydreams in the warm weather. Mike approaches her and asks her out to dinner that night. Bella says no, saying she doesn't want to hurt Jessica's feelings, which surprises Mike. In Trig class, Jessica asks Bella to join her and Angela and Lauren to Port Angeles to shop for dresses for the dance. Bella doesn't commit, as there is still tension with Lauren. Bella is afraid of seeing the Cullens at lunch but is further disappointed when none of them are in the cafeteria, nor Edward in Biology class. When she gets home from school, Bella receives a call from Jessica that the shopping trip is canceled because Mike asked her out to dinner. Bella sends an e-mail to her mother and tries to read some Jane Austen, but is put off by the names Edward and Edmund in Austen's novels. When Charlie arrives home from work, Bella asks for permission to go dress shopping in Port Angeles with Jessica and Angela; he is puzzled at first since he knows Bella isn't going, then realizes the error in his thinking that was a problem. The next day Bella finds out the shopping trip is on for that afternoon and that Lauren cannot make it. After school, the three remaining girls head off in Jessica's car.
Notes
Bella's nightmare foreshadows the love triangle that will emerge in future novels. There are more references to vampires in lore and legend when Bella researches on the internet, with specific attention given to the "good" vampires of Italy, the Stregoni benefici. Jane Austen is another well-known literary figure in romances, with her novels focused on the social nature of marriages. The connection between Edward's name and those of Austen's heroes helps romanticize his image further, also providing a clear antecedent to his haughty, aristocratic bearing.
CHAPTER 8. Port Angeles Summary
On the drive to the tourist town of Port Angeles, Jessica and Angela inform Bella that Tyler has been telling everyone he's taking her to the prom. This infuriates Bella. The clothes shopping goes quicker than expected; when Bella catches Angela alone, she asks about the Cullens being out of school a lot. Angela says they often go backpacking when the weather is good. When the other two girls walk down to the bay before dinner, Bella goes off on her own to find a bookstore. She sees one with a New Age motif in the windows and decides not to go there; she then sees a silver Volvo which makes her angry as it reminds her of her problem. She wanders too far away from the tourist section and passes four slightly older men who say hello to her; she soon finds two of those men are following her and when she tries to head back to a familiar area she is herded towards the other two men, waiting for her and their friends. She gets ready to fight when a silver car pulls up and someone shouts for Bella to get in. The car drives away and Bella finds herself sitting next to Edward. He asks if she's alright and she says she is, but he is clearly agitated and asks her to distract him. She talks abut planning to run over Tyler Crowley in school tomorrow because of what he's saying about her and prom.
Edward and Bella meet up with Jess and Angela just as they are leaving La Bella Italia, Bella saying only that she ran into Edward after getting lost. Edward asks to join them for dinner but Angela confesses that she and Jessica already ate; Edward then offers to drive Bella home after the two of them eat, to which Angela and Jessica agree. The host at Bella Italia is clearly attracted to Edward; she agrees to seat them in a more private part of the restaurant after Edward refuses a large table in a crowded area. Their server Amber is equally attentive to Edward while generally ignoring Bella. Bella orders mushroom ravioli while Edward has nothing to eat; they both have Cokes but Edward gives her his. She is cold so he lets her wear his jacket, as she left her own in Jessica's car. He is concerned that Bella will go into shock but is disturbed when she clearly states she is not.
Bella asks what he's doing in Port Angeles and the two begin to speak hypothetically about "Joe" reading minds and honing in on "Jane". Dropping this tone, Edward admits he has never tried to keep a specific person alive before and it's harder to keep track of Bella than other people. He thus kept tabs on Jessica and in this manner found Bella, as well as the four men. The most difficult thing was not killing those men for the thoughts they had about Bella, which is why they are having dinner together: if she had left with Angela and Jessica, Edward would have hunted those men down. They finish dinner and go to Edward's Volvo; inside, he says it's now her turn to answer questions. Notes
Tyler Crowley's belief that he's taking Bella to the prom is used for comedic effect, but it also does two things: it highlights the problems of popularity, at least as Bella experiences it; and it also makes clear that humans will believe what they want to, bending what they perceive to suit their needs - which is a reiteration of what happened with Edward saving Bella from Tyler's van. The effect Edward's beauty has on women is described in an awestruck tone from the beginning, but now it is revealed that there is a supernatural element to this as well: that it is a "dazzle" he can use to influence humans, potentially to get what he wants and more easily prey on them.
CHAPTER 9. Theory Summary
Bella asks a couple of final questions from Edward. She wants to know how exactly he found her after she didn't go to the bookstore, and he answered that he did so through her scent. Then she asked if the rest of his family can read minds; he says they can't. She then asks why he can't read her mind; he says he doesn't know but suspects it doesn't work the same way as other people's. Bella is afraid that her mind doesn't work right and she's a freak, which amuses Edward considering his own admission.
Bella then grows frightened at Edward's driving, which was a hundred miles per hour; he slows down to eighty for her, though he considers it driving slow. Edward asks Bella for her theory on him and she slowly explains that she got the information from Jacob Black, a son of one of the Quileute elders, and that the Cullens came up due to a snippy comment from Lauren. Edward is amused at how she flirted to get the information, comparing it to his own ability to dazzle people. Bella goes on to talk of doing research on the internet and deciding it didn't matter. This shocks Edward, who confirms what she means: that she doesn't care if he's a monster and not human. She then asks him some more questions, dispelling myths about not being able to come out during daytime, being burned by the sun, sleeping in coffins. Edward adds that he can't sleep at all, then moves to the topic of whether or not he drinks blood. He explains that he does drink
blood though he does not hunt people, and that the Quileute treaty is there to reduce the risk of mistakes. Bella asks why his family hunt animals instead of people and whether or not it's enough. He says he hunts animal because he doesn't want to be a monster and sometimes it is more difficult than others to put off his thirst. She explains her theory about his thirst and the color of his eyes, and that men are crabbier when they're hungry. Edward tells Bella that when he went hunting with Emmett, he was anxious to be away from her. When he brings up he returned from hunting on Sunday, Bella asks why he wasn't in school Monday. Edward answers that while the sun doesn't hurt him, he still can't be seen in sunlight and adds he will show Bella why sometime. Bella adds that she was concerned when she didn't see him on Monday, prompting Edward to say that what they're doing is wrong, that it's one thing for him to be miserable and a whole other thing for her to be involved. This causes Bella to cry and he apologizes. He asks what she was thinking when she confronted the men, and she says she was preparing to fight them. This amazes Edward, who agrees with her earlier statement that he's fighting fate trying to keep her alive. He drops her off at home and assures her he'll see her in school tomorrow. Edward then makes Bella promise not to go into the woods alone, adding he's not the most dangerous thing out there. Inside the house, Bella lies to Charlie about being dropped off by Jessica, and calls her because she left her jacket in the car. Jessica wants details but Bella puts her off until tomorrow. Bella takes a shower but is still trying to make sense of the evening. However, she knows three things: Edward is a vampire, part of him wants her blood, and she loves him unconditionally. Notes
Edward's fast driving scares Bella, and this helps reinforce how differently each of them perceives time. Edward begins his ongoing argument with Bella that his very presence places her in danger; this feeds into the dark romanticism of the novel, adding an element of risk that makes their love more dramatically consequential.
CHAPTER 10. Interrogations Summary
The next morning, Bella gets ready for school and finds Edward outside in his car, waiting to drive her in his Volvo. Bella asks what the other Cullen children are going to school in, and Edward says Rosalie's car - a red convertible Bella easily spots in the parking lot. Jessica is waiting for Bella to return her jacket from the previous night, and they agree to talk in Trig. When they're along again, Edward warns Bella that Jessica has many questions, including whether or not she and Edward are secretly dating and what she feels for him. Edward also adds that he'll be listening in on Jessica's thoughts as he wants to hear the answers. In English class,
Mike asks if Jessica said anything about their dinner date Monday night, and is excited when Bella tells him that Jessica said she had a really good time. In Trigonometry, Jessica does indeed grill Bella about her time with Edward last night, and Bella gives answers knowing that Edward is "listening" in on the conversation. She then turns the tables on Jessica by sharing her earlier talk with Mike about the Monday night date. During lunch, she joins Edward and for this reason receives stares just like her first day at school. He buys lunch for both of them and Bella asks him to eat food, which he obliges despite clearly not enjoying it. Edward then confesses to being bothered about Bella telling Jessica that she believes she cares more for Edward than he does for her. She explains that he sometimes seems to be trying to say goodbye when he's saying something else; in his defense, Edward says this shows he cares more for her, as he is trying to do the right thing to keep her safe. Edward then asks if she really needs to go to Seattle on Saturday or would be open to a different destination together. She agrees to this alternate plan as long as they ride in her car, as she doesn't want Charlie to know she's involved with Edward. Edward thinks Charlie should know, though, in order to keep Bella safer, but she refuses. They then discuss his hunting trip to Emmett at Goat Rocks, and Edward reveals he prefers mountain lion while Emmett has a taste for grizzly bears, but that they try to preserve the ecosystem regardless of what they hunt. She asks if she can ever see him hunt and he says absolutely not; she asks if it's too scary and Edward retorts that she needs a healthy dose of fear but there's more to it than that. At this point, Edward points out they're late for class and they leave the cafeteria. Notes
Bella quickly adapts to Edward's ability to read other people's minds, as her conversation with Jessica indicates. In a way, this is simply a supernatural variation of how people talk to each other through intermediaries - for example, how high school students gossip and pass along messages to other people by first telling mutual friends. Edward's preferred hunting choice of mountain lion reinforces his regal nature in an indirect manner, while his comment on preserving the ecosystem shows that he is a virtuous predator who cares about the environment and his impact on it.
CHAPTER 11. Complications Summary
In Biology, Mr. Banner shows a film to the class but Bella can't concentrate because of her proximity to Edward and desire to touch him. Edward sees Bella to Gym, where they're playing badminton and Mike volunteers to be her partner. After class, Mike tries to warn Bella about
Edward, saying he looks like her like she's something to eat. Edward meets her after Gym, revealing that he listened in on her talk with Mike. She's angered by this but he apologizes; she makes him promise not to do it again and Edward does so, adding that she can drive on their Saturday outing. When they reach Charlie's house, Edward answers her earlier question about watching him hunt: it would be dangerous because when hunting, he gives int to his instincts and may lose control. Saying good b ye to Bella, he adds that tomorrow is his turn to ask questions. The next morning, Charlie is around for breakfast for a change, not having already left for work, and asks if she's still going to Seattle on Saturday - she lies and says yes - and if she still sure she won't be back for the dance. Bella again insists she's not going and when Charlie asks if anyone asked her, she says it was a girl's choice dance - leaving out that three boys did indeed ask her. After he leaves, Bella gets ready to be picked up by Edward and he's there when she's outside. He notes she looks tired and she says she couldn't sleep, then asks about what he did last night. However, Edward turns it around and says it's his turn to ask questions and starts plying her with an ongoing series of queries about the details of her preferences and personal history. When asked her favorite gemstone, she says topaz and is embarrassed because it had been garnet until she noticed that his eyes were the color of topaz, then refers to how they will turn to onyx in a couple weeks. Edward is not phased by this observation and continues to ask his own questions. The film continues in Biology class and Bella has the same experience as the day before. Edward drives her home after school and they continue to talk in his car for hours, until twilight which Edward calls the safest time of day. He notes that Charlie will be home soon and she gets out the car, asking if it's her turn tomorrow. He says no, as he told her he wasn't done asking yet. He is then surprised by an arriving car, and leaves before Charlie arrives. The other car pulls up to Charlie's house and inside are Jacob Black and his father Billy Black. Based on his expression of fear and anxiety, Bella can tell that Billy had seen Edward and does indeed believe in the legends of the cold ones and that Edward is one of them. Notes
The tension between predation and romance is emphasized when Edward says that he cannot be near Bella while hunting: if the bloodlust which seizes him during a hunt occurs in her presence, he risks preying on her as well.
CHAPTER 12. Balancing Summary
Charlie greets Billy warmly and helps Jacob carry Billy out of the car and into his wheelchair. Charlie invites them in to watch the game on TV. Jacob and Bella talk about the car he is building and she confesses to him that the person Billy saw in the driveway was Edward Cullen,
which makes Jacob laugh at his superstitious father. When pressed by Bella, Jacob says he doesn't think Billy will mention this to Charlie since they've already had disagreements on the Cullens. After the game, the Blacks leave, but not without Billy warning Bella to take care. Charlie then asks Bella about her day and she mentions how she and her partner won in badminton at Gym; when Bella reveals that her partner is Mike Newton, Charlie asks why she doesn't ask him to the dance. She tells him about Jessica and assures him she doesn't mind being alone, a trait she shares with Charlie.
The next morning Charlie is around for breakfast again and notices the good mood that Bella is in. Edward arrives after Charlie leaves, and on the drive continues his questions and cuts off her own queries. During lunch, Edward tells Bella that he's leaving school after lunch with Alice so that they can go hunting, in order to make their time on Saturday safer. Bella opines that the other Cullens don't like her but Edward says that they simply don't understand why he can't leave her alone. As they spoke, Bella and Rosalie exchange looks and Rosalie holds Bella's gaze until Edward breaks it off by addressing his sibling. He apologizes and says Rosalie is worried about him and Bella spending so much time together in public especially if it ends badly. Alice introduces herself to Bella in a friendly manner; she will be dropping off Bella's truck at school, which Bella finds amusing since her keys are in a pair of jeans in the laundry at home. At Gym, Mike wishes Bella a good trip to Seattle, but she says that's cancelled. Asked if she'll be going to the dance with Cullen, Bella lies and says she will stay home, do laundry, and study for a Trig test. She stresses that she will not see Edward at all, remembering what he said about their being seen in public too much. Mike says Bella can go to the dance as part of a group but she negates that option. After school, she finds her truck waiting for her, the key in the ignition, as well as a note from Edward telling her to "Be safe." Bella goes home and tells Jessica the same lie as she told Mike about her Saturday plans, then does the same to Charlie. Charlie volunteers to not go fishing that day, as he'd planned all along, but she insists he goes. She remembers Edward's advice to tell Charlie where she will be and with who, but sticks to her choice. Bella wakes up early the next day, Charlie already gone fishing. When Edward arrives, it's without his Volvo, as he previously said. They get into her truck and he directs her outside the town limits to a road. They stop briefly at the end of the road, and Edward wants her to follow the pavement until it ends, and from there they will go on a five mile hike; he grows angry, however, when he finds out the lies she told for this day and how it meant that nobody knew where she was except Edward and Alice. He offers to take her home but she agrees to go ahead; while she worries about her clumsiness and hurting herself without a discernible trail to follow, that isn't the case when they trek through the woods. When they finally arrive at the destination, she sees Edward step into the midday sun and what it does to him. Notes
Bella seeks to protect Edward in her own fashion by lying about what she's doing on Saturday, claiming she won't be with him at that time. Edward sees this as a threat to Bella's life, however he feels that people knowing they're somewhere together will make him more accountable for her. Thus this appeal to his intellect makes it less likely for him to give in to his instinct.
LITERARY ELEMENTS SETTING
The story is set primarily in the small town of Forks in northwest Washington State, as well as nearby communities such as La Push and Port Angeles. The very beginning and the climax take place in Phoenix, Arizona.
CHARACTER LIST Major Characters Isabella "Bella" Swan The narrator of the story, a human girl who moves from Phoenix, Arizona to Forks, Washington to live with her father. Renee Dwyer The mother of Isabella, who lives in Phoenix, Arizona and recently married a minor league athlete. Charlie Swan The father of Isabella and Police Chief of Forks, Washington. Billy Black A Quileute Native American tribal elder who sells his truck to Charlie Swan, which becomes a gift to Bella. Edward Cullen A vampire in the Cullen family who possesses the ability to read most minds, but not Bella's. He is attracted to Bella in a predatory manner, but also falls in love with her.
Emmett Cullen A vampire in the Cullen family who possess unusual strength. Alice Cullen A vampire in the Cullen family who takes a strong liking to Bella and possesses precognitive powers. Rosalie Hale A vampire in the Cullen family who takes a strong dislike to Bella and is Emmett's mate.
Jasper Hale A vampire in the Cullen family who possesses the ability to influence people's emotions. Carlisle Cullen The adoptive father of the Cullen and Hale children. Esme Cullen The wife of Dr. Cullen, adoptive mother of the Cullen and Hale children. Jacob Black The fifteen-year-old son of Billy Black, who tells Bella about the Quileute legends about werewolves and vampires. James A vampire who visits the Cullens and hunts down Bella. Victoria A vampire who visits the Cullens and works with James. Laurent A vampire who visits the Cullens with James and Victoria.
Minor Characters Phil Dwyer The new husband of Renee, a minor league baseball player. Ms. Cope Forks High School Receptionist who gives Bella her class information on the first day.
Mr. Mason Bella's English teacher. Jefferson Bella's Government teacher. Eric Yorkie Befriends Bella and becomes romantically interested in her. Mr. Varner Bella's Trigonometry teacher. Jessica Stanley Befriends Bella and is romantically interested in Mike. Angela Weber A silent and shy girl who befriends Bella. Mr. Banner Bella's Biology teacher. Mike Newton Befriends Bella and becomes romantically interested in her. Coach Clapp Bella's Gym teacher. Tyler Crowley Drives the van that almost kills Bella on an icy day. E.R. Nurse Cares for Bella after her near-fatal accident with Tyler's van. Lauren Mallory A standoffish girl who asks Tyler to the dance. School Nurse Takes care of Bella and Lee Stephens when they react poorly to blood tests. Lee Stephens A boy who reacts poorly to the blood test in Biology class.
Mrs. Goff One of Edward's teachers. Ben Cheney One of the boys who goes on Mike's beach outing. Conner One of the boys who goes on Mike's beach outing. Lee One of the girls who goes on Mike's beach outing. Samantha One of the girls who goes on Mike's beach outing. Sam Uley A nineteen-year-old boy from the Quileute reservation. Jessica A girl from the Quileute reservation. Rachel Black A daughter of Billy Black. Rebecca Black Another daughter of Billy Black.
Great-Grandfather Black A tribal elder who made a treaty with Carlisle Cullen many years ago. Port Angeles bookstore proprietor A woman whose bookstore is devoted to New Age topics. Four Port Angeles men Trap and almost attack Bella during her visit to the town. La Bella Italia Host Seats Edward and Bella and is interested in Edward. Amber The server for Edward and Bella at La Bella Italia, also interested in Edward.
Carlisle's Father A pastor in 1630s London who hunted supernatural creatures. Ancient Vampire Hunted down by Carlisle Cullen and turned Cullen into a vampire. Dr. Snow Works at the same Forks hospital as Carlisle Cullen. Solimena An Italian painter of the baroque era who befriended Carlisle and other vampires. Aro An Italian vampire Carlisle befriended. Marcus An Italian vampire Carlisle befriended. Caius An Italian vampire Carlisle befriended. Edward's parents Died of the Spanish influenza epidemic. Esme's child A boy who died days after birth. Hyatt Shuttle Driver Picks up Bella after she escapes Alice and Jasper at Sky Harbor Airport. Cab driver Drives Bella from Sky Harbor International Airport to Renee's house in Scottsdale. Nurse Cares for Bella while she's in the hospital. RN Nurse Administers pain medication to Bella while she's in the hospital. CONFLICT Protagonist
Bella Swan, a human teenager who moves to Forks, Washington. Antagonist
For most of the novel, Edward Cullen is the antagonist, as they both come to terms with the powerful attraction they feel for each other. However, the tracker vampire James becomes the antagonist in the last third of the novel, as he hunts down Bella to kill her and provoke Edward. Climax
James tricks Bella into coming to him in order to save her mother.
Outcome
Bella is saved by Edward and his family, though Edward refuses to turn her into a vampire as she wishes.
SHORT SUMMARY (Synopsis)
Isabella "Bella" Swan moves from Phoenix, Arizona to Forks, Washington to live with her father Charlie. While unhappy with this decision, it is one she makes on her own as she wants to give her mother Renee the chance to follow her new husband Phil, a minor league baseball player, to Florida. Bella adjusts well to her new high school in Forks, but notices the five Cullen siblings: Edward, Emmett, Alice, Jasper Hale, and Rosalie Hale. They are all adopted by the young doctor Carlisle Cullen and his wife Esme, are unbelievably beautiful, and tend to keep to themselves. Bella is shocked when she finds that she has to share her Biology class table with Edward, and even more surprised when it seems that Edward takes an instant dislike for Bella without even speaking to her. Edward disappears from school for several days and when he returns tries to be friendly with Bella, which confuses her. The next morning, she is almost run over by a van and only saved by the unnatural strength and speed of Edward, who swoops in to rescue her from sure death. He asks her to keep quiet about what she had witnessed about him, and she abides by his request. She tries to be friendly with Edward in the aftermath, but he does not acknowledge her existence for the next six weeks. As the girls' choice dance approaches, Bella is asked by several boys to take them to the event. She refuses them all, but Edward starts speaking to her again, asking if she would go with him to Seattle instead, which was the excuse she gave for not attending the dance. Edward starts to show unusual attention to Bella, which others notice. However, he does not go with Bella when she invites him to come along to a beach outing planned by Mike Newton, one of the boys who's interested in her. She goes on this outing to La Push and meets the Quileute Native American
teen Jacob Black - Jacob's father Billy Black sold Charlie the truck that he gave to Bella as a gift. Through Jacob, she finds out that the Cullens are "cold ones" - vampires - and struck a peace agreement many years ago with the Quileute, who legend states possess werewolves among their number. A few days later, Bella goes to Port Angeles with two of her friends, who want to go dress shopping for the dance. Alone, Bella is trapped by four men, but is saved by Edward in his car. They wind up having dinner together and begin to discuss what exactly he is. They take turns asking each other questions: Bella interrogates Edward on being a vampire, on his abilities, and his family; Edward interrogates Bella about the details of her own life and personal history. Edward convinces Bella not to go Seattle on the day of the dance, as he has other plans for her. However, complications arrive one evening when Billy Black sees Edward and Bella together, and he unsuccessfully tries to convince Bella to stay away from the vampire. On the morning of the dance, Edward instead takes Bella on a long hike and she sees why vampires avoid sunlight: their skin glistens diamond-like when exposed directly to the sun. The two admit their love to each other during this idyll. The following morning, Edward takes Bella to meet his family at their home and tells the story of how Carlisle became a vampire and assembled the Cullen family as they now stand. That evening, Edward takes Bella to watch a baseball game played by his family, which due to their strength and speed must be hidden by a thunderstorm. The game attracts a pack of nomad vampires, however, and one of those vampires is a tracker names James. James decides to hunt Bella after discovering she is a human, but the Cullens protect her: Alice and Jasper take Bella back to Phoenix, Arizona to hide, while Edward, Emmett, and Carlisle try to chase James and ambush him. However, James flees to Phoenix and tricks Bella into thinking he's holding her mother hostage. She goes to James willingly only to find her mother is not with him; further, James plans to record his killing of Bella so that Edward would try to avenge her. Bella is attacked by James but saved by the Cullens: Edward pulls James off Bella, Emmett and Jasper kill James, while Carlisle and Alice care for Bella's broken body. They discover Bella was bitten by James, and Edward sucks out the venom so that she won't become a vampire. Bella survives and is hospitalized, and a cover story is fabricated to hide the truth of what happened. Edward stays with Bella while she recovers at the hospital and Bella asks why he didn't let the venom change her into a vampire. He refuses to do so, as she doesn't want her to become a monster. She finds out that Alice, who has precognition, had a vision where Bella becomes a vampire; however, Edward points out that she also saw Bella die and that didn't come true. Bella and Edward repeatedly profess their love for each other, but Bella still wants to be transformed so she can be with Edward forever. Weeks later, back in Forks, Bella is surprised when Edward takes her to the prom; Jacob Black is also in attendance, with a message that his father still wants her to break up with Edward and that they'll be watching. Bella confesses to
Edward that she was hoping he would turn her into a vampire this evening but he continues to refuse. For the time being, their love for e ach other is enough. THEMES Major Themes
Based on one of its genre traditions, Love and Romance is the first major theme of Twilight: that is, the way two people become attracted to each other and become mates. While the main characters Bella and Edward are the pairing readers focus on, there are others that serve as a striking contrast to further develop the idea. Change and Risk is the next theme: the way people make choices that places them in danger, what those choices mean, and why they do it. Stemming from another of the novel's genre traditions, horror and the supernatural, Humanity and Mortality: it is by looking to monstrous creatures that readers determine what qualities make humans unique and even redemptive. Family is the last of the major themes, providing another important way for people to bond: the traditional familial structure is practically non-existent in this book, and yet it is that sense of obligation and belonging which leads to many conflicts.
Minor Themes
Popularity is one of the minor themes of the novel, as it explores the way people develop relationships and hierarchies - in this novel, in the context of high school. In a related fashion, Beauty is the other minor theme,
MOOD
The mood is serious and at times melodramatic. This is in keeping with both the horror and romance genres that Twilight embodies: in both traditions, situations and emotions are heightened beyond the usual everyday concerns, often becoming life-and-death struggles with consequences beyond the lives of the main characters. There are frequent flashes of humor -sometimes sarcastic, sometimes morbid - which help break up the mood and make the serious sections more dramatically powerful.
Stephenie Meyer - BIOGRAPHY
Stephenie Meyer was born on December 24, 1973 in Connecticut. She grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She married in 1994 and has three sons, and is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Stephenie Meyer The inspiration for Twilight came to her after a dream on June 2, 2003, that involved a human girl and a sparkling vampire sitting in a meadow. (This would become Chapter 13 of Twilight.) She wrote what would be Twilight - which originally was titled Forks - and signed a three-book deal with Little, Brown and Company. Twilight was published in 2005 to great success and critical acclaim. The second book in the Twilight series was 2006's New Moon, followed by Eclipse in 2007. The last book in the series, Breaking Dawn, is set for 2008, as is a companion novel Midnight Sun, which tells the story of the first book Twilight from the perspective of Edward Cullen. The Twilight series has earned a strong and dedicated fan following, and a movie adaptation of the first book is set to be released in 2008. Meyer has also published a science fiction romance, The Host, in 2008.
LITERARY / HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Twilight follows several literary traditions, combining them in an interesting fashion. The most important traditions worth noting are: romances; supernatural horror, specifically vampire stories; and Young Adult. The romance genre in the broadest sense involves any story that focuses primarily on the relationship between two people who are attracted to each other and, after some obstacles are presented, eventually come together. In a more narrow sense, the romance refers to a specific marketing category in modern publishing which often follows a specific formula in terms of plot and characterization. This includes: an initial misunderstanding between the two main characters that sets them in opposition at the start of the story; a romantic rival of some sort, either male or
female; and the male being a physical Adonis who presents himself as a stoic distant figure despite possessing great emotional sensitivity. While there is often strong critical disdain for the modern romance, it is the most popular category of fiction in the modern publishing world and some academics (most notably Janice Radway in her book Reading the Romance) see a powerful social function that romance novels provide for th eir regular readers. Horror fiction has its roots going back to various myths, with monstrous creatures figuring largely in how earlier civilizations understood the world around them. Vampires in particular have a long literary tradition, going as far back to ancient legends before surfacing as we know it today in John Polidori's 1819 story The Vampyre. (The social meeting that inspired this work also led to Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley writing Frankenstein.) Among the many literary works about vampires that have appeared in the following two centuries are the penny dreadful Varney the Vampire by James Malcolm Rymer, Sheridan Le Fanu's Carmilla, Samuel Coleridge's Christabel, and Richard Matheson's I Am Legend. Of course, the best known work about a vampire is Bram Stoker's Dracula, a structurally innovative novel which also helped establish many of the conventions regarding vampires as a popular culture icon. Young Adult literature is often set in high school and involves rites of passages such as first loves and epiphanies about the true natural of the world. As a genre, it emphasizes strongly with the challenges that are presented when making the transition from childhood to adulthood. Young Adult fiction has also long included novels with horror, supernatural, and fantasy elements. They not only provide strong visceral thrills for readers, but also employ the fantastic elements of these genres to dramatize those everyday concerns of teenagers as powerful metaphors. While best known for his scary books for younger readers, R.L. Stine originally wrote young adult horror novels such as Blind Date and the Fear Street franchise. Another popular writer of young adult horror novels is Christopher Pike, whose works include Slumber Party, The Last Vampire series and Fall Into Darkness. Further, there are many notable horror authors who have works that are often considered Young Adult friendly, including Stephen King's Carrie, Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire, and Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes. Perhaps the most obvious comparison that can be drawn with the Twilight series is the television version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a major multimedia franchise with a strong female protagonist who juggles everyday high school concerns with supernatural adventures. Buffy, like Bella, falls in love with vampires - but while Buffy is charged with killing monsters, Bella wishes to become one because of true love. "And so the lion fell in love with the lamb..." (13.130) "Hey, what's up with the apple?"
”a bird locked in the eyes of a snake" (13.38) And then the night closed over me (24)
SYMBOLISM / MOTIFS / IMAGERY / METAPHORS / SYMBOLS Vampirism is the most obvious motif and symbol in the story. It is not a theme in itself, but is used to flesh out all the themes to varying extent. Given the genres embodied by Twilight, the vampire represents the unleashed id, the release of intellect to a more pure, animal passion. The desire and romance that comes with the vampire romance is the notion of passion or love as an insatiable hunger that requires the very essence of the loved one. Of course, passion can also be quite dangerous, and a hunger must know limits or will threaten everyone involved - this is shown by the appearance of James late in the book. Edward knows best the importance of curbing his vampire appetite, as it comes in direct conflict with his romantic desire for Bella. Vampires can also stir great passion in those they touch: Sam Uley and Billy Black are repulsed by them, even with the Quileute agreement; the Cullens are all admired for their great beauty by those who encounter them. Perhaps most striking of all, Bella is a human whose close interaction with Edward makes her more passionate and hungry for her new love, as seen by the kisses where she becomes more aggressive than Edward, forcing him to back off. Thus, her decision at the end of the novel to eventually become a vampire not only reflects her love for Edward, but her decision to embrace the passionate side of herself as well.
Time - or rather, one's sense of time - is used to reflect the experiences of characters, telling readers the importance of what they're going through and how they feel about it. For example, Bella notes how time in Forks is a blur, except for the times with Edward when every second is sharply remembered. Similarly, when she runs to save her mother at the dance studio, she notes how time drags even though she is running. Further, there are clear distinctions in time between species --that is, vampire time is quite different from human time. Vampires have abilities that make them move much more quickly than humans if they desire - as a result, though, they show greater patience since they can react more quickly and also see the world from an immortal perspective. Cars are an important symbol in the book, reflecting their owner in some manner. Bella's red truck is her first solid adjustment to Forks, paving the way for what follows. Further, the clumsiness and slowness of her vehicle reflects her own hu man failings, especially compared to the faster and more exotic Volvo possessed by Edward. Mike Newton drives a S uburban, indicating the affluent middle-class value he possesses as the son of successful shop owners. Jacob likes to assemble cars, which shows how he wishes to make good use of whatever he can find - a reflection on the poverty and diminished status he inhabits. Emmett drives a rough -andtumble Jeep, a show of his own personality; Rosalie drives a convertible BMW, indicating how easily she attracts attention to herself with her beauty. Last but n ot least, the Mercedes with tinted windows that Alice and Jasper drive to Ph oenix with Bella is an excellent symbol of the
Cullen family in general: it is rich and elegant and the cause of envy, but the tints make clear they are hiding in plain sight. School is an important motif, as the community of peers that is central in Bella's life. Many scenes occur in the cafeteria, though the socialization process takes place throughout the day and even involves extracurricular events such as danc es and prom. Two particular classes factor into the novel in a significant manner: Biology and Gym. Biology class is shared with Ed ward, so some of the drama which unites them takes place there. When blood is spilled - albeit in a routine lab experiment - Bella and Edward are drawn closer together through an unusual chain of events. Moreover, biology as a concept also drives the two together: Bella is the p erfect prey for Edward as a vampire, and he must resist that for their mutual happiness. Gym class is a reminder of Bella's clumsiness, as she places herself and her fellow students in very mild danger. She repeatedly refers to how Gym class goes, and how her classmates protect her and themselves from her lack of sporting ability. Further, it is also the sight of social clumsiness, as she has to deal with Mike in that class, not always in the smoothest manner. Thus, when she attends h er prom in the gym, she is redeemed somewhat for her past clumsiness, while the school setting in general shows how much she has adjusted to her new home. Superheroes are another motif, referred to explicitly in two parts. As the y get to know each other, Bella jokes that Edward may be Batman or Spider-Man and even refers to Spider-Man's origin when asking Edward where he got his powers. At the end of the novel, Bella refers to Superman and Lois Lane in one of her arguments for becoming a vampire. A forward-thinking young woman, she does not want to be a constant damsel in distress - the traditional view of Lois Lane but instead wishes to be a true match by taking on super-powers herself - that is, become a vampire. This general superhero analogy is also u seful in that it tends to further romanticize Edward and remove him from the more horror-related imagery associated with vampires.
