This Week

Twilight took over the world when first released in 2005. It’s success of its books, five movies, and countless fan fictions struck the attention of many. In the story, Bella Swan, an everyday high school teenager was swept off her feet for Edward Cullen the immortal Vampire. His desire for Bella’s blood is equal to his love for her. Meyer has created this romance that appeals to readers (aimed at mainly women) of all ages, but mostly appealed to younger readers. It presents romance in an unrealistic way that endorses domestic violence and discourages female independence. At a young age I saw how everyone reacted to Twilight. The girls in my classes went crazy. It seems that up until now, being older and more mature, everyone is starting to realize what was wrong with the stories and how the characters were portrayed. It exposes young readers to a patriarchal society in subtle and it attacks and shows unconscious desires for romance in adult women. Twilight shows readers that women can only be helpful if they are following a model of male success. In other words, women succeed when their men are chivalrous, dominate, and lovable despite all their signs of danger. Given the situation, Twilight implies that women should follow Bella’s model and act only as a confused but horny teenager.