After 498 pages of Twilight here are my observations: First, I am not a vampire, in love with a vampire, a werewolf, or werewolf lover. Second, there is not a single part of me--and I am completely aware of my unwillingness to "suspend my disbelief"--that thirsts after this series. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably impressed with Stephenie Meyer's creativity and ability to take such a simple story line and write over 1500 pages. Uncanny.
The Stake High Council is meeting Thursday night so my babysitter is going to that meeting and my sister will be here visiting as well. Knowing Nannette she will have great, thought provoking questions. I hope it will be a great discussion and I may try to sneak over for a little bit to hear insights since Nannette's house is so close. Since I won't be there,however, to hear the questions and corollary discussion I have some of my own questions for the blog that I would love to hear other people's thoughts on:
By what criteria do we determine which literature, art, music etc is "virtuous, lovely, of good report or praiseworthy"?
Do artists who are members of the church (or if you'd rather) members of the church who are artists have any responsibility to promote the principles and values of the gospel through the medium with which they work? Why or why not?
What is the difference between say an Anne Rice vampire novel and a Stephenie Meyer novel?
What makes a classic "classic?" Will this series endure like Bram Stokers "Dracula" has endured?
I liked how Meyer chose to break with tradition to create "monsters" on her own terms. She was wildly creative in how she enhances the drama of the book by mocking traditional vampire characteristics and by highlighting the new traits she gives them (i.e. them glistening and sparkling in the sun to a dazzling degree). I was obviously affected by the "beauty" she creates in these predators and definitely felt the flight in the "fight or flight" response. I know. I know. Nothing physical happens. I know Edward and the others of his clan are "chaste." Yes and so they seem but in my world view isn't that how it starts? Aren't we all initially dazzled by Satan's ability to make evil appear harmless, even wide-eyed and innocent?
I question my own priorities when I can spend hours devouring a book while my personal scripture study, prayer and meditation fall by the way side not to mention piles of laundry, dishes and a floor strewn with toys. Now, I love and hate it all at the same time. I love living in a world that is beautifully crafted with characters that have great dialogue and mystery woven throughout. That is a vicarious life at its best and I think a way for me to "sharpen my saw," as Covey recommends. But I have to personally be careful not to be consumed by it. At another bookclub which a friend of mine attended a woman was quoted as saying, "my husband calls this my 'vampire porn.'" I know it was meant to be a joke but if you think about how men respond visually while women respond and connect emotionally maybe the husband's statement was not so farcical. Now before anyone flips out upon hearing the "p" word associated with Meyer's novels -- I am not saying that that is what she is writing or attempting to write. There is obviously literature more salacious and deplorable being printed under the glorious banner of "freedom of speech," and without the use of the misunderstood sieve of censorship. But I do question the nature of that which she writes and the seeming addiction her novels seem to spark.
The other thing that bothered me was it's lack of secondary and tertiary story lines. Perhaps those show up in the two other novels.
Lesley, in the previous post, brought up some invaluable insights. Lesley...you must be a formidable student!! Great catch on the words she uses to describe Edward vs. Jake. I must be missing Meyer's symbolism entirely and taking it too literally, if that is possible with fiction/fantasy. I was also glad to see I wasn't the only one grossed out by the age difference though the same aforementioned friend thought that perhaps Edward stayed 17 emotionally and hadn't progressed like a regular human. I question that as well though because Carlisle seems to have progressed. Do vampires then get stuck at the age and stage when they were bit?
Finally, I would just die laughing if after four novels Bella finally turns into a vampire and then Edward is unattracted and nonplussed by her. True love Transylvania style. Isn't that how the rush and thrill of romantic love goes? Maybe there is still hope for Meyers to make something more out of this novel than a creative teenage yarn.
Great choice for October!! Looking forward to November.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Oops. I, Sylvia Sudeth, wrote "My take since I will also be 'in absentia' on Thursday.
Sylvia
Thank you for claiming your post! I got to the end and was dissapointed that it was not signed. Whew. And I am glad to hear you aren't a vampire. Whew again. :)
Well, since I am also unable to be at the book club, I will respond here. You touched on at least one thing (and if only I had more time, more than one thing) that I just have to make a comment on: the 13th Article of Faith and potential criteria for determining how various media stack up against it.
I devoured this series books. And in return, these books devoured my every waking thought and several dreams for a week or so after I finished Eclipse. And it was fun to think about these books, and I happily allowed them to occupy my thoughts. But there was one thought I kept having about them that I didn't want to entertain, but eventually had to: perhaps these books are not virtuous. The endless description of kisses, the boy who stayed all night in a young woman's room and who sometimes slept in the young woman's bed, the talk of sex before marriage, the endless obsession with lust and young love, deception... all things that I would not allow my (hypothetical) daughter to read about, especially if she was a teen, and therefore falling into the intended audience for this publication.
I realize that many would consider this book tame compared to much of the media that is available to the young adult audience. But I would not want my daughter to think that this type of behavior was acceptable for an LDS young woman, no matter what its competition is.
So these books have caused me a sort of inner conflict for the last month or so. While I feel committed to Meyer's characters, I know that for me, Lesley Larson, they do not stand up to the 13th Article of Faith. I guess then my criteria for determining what worthy media would be is to gauge whether I would feel like the themes and messages are consistent with what I am trying to teach my children. So, despite the immense enjoyment I found in reading these books, they don't pass my test.
Post a Comment