My friend Phil pointed out an article in bitch magazine called “Bite Me (or Don’t)” which is a feministy literary criticism of Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series.
Do not read the article if you hate spoilers, the article covers events that happened throughout the entire series. I’m not much worried about spoilers, so I didn’t mind, but I know other people might. Stop reading here if you hate spoilers… you have been warned.
The article presents the Twilight series as an example of of “abstinence porn” or a story that “convinces us that self-denial is hot.” It asks whether this messages is one we want to send home, points to some of the real-life implications of the apparent message, and also discusses how the book inverts messages about sex through Edward and Bella’s relationship. The article argues that the thrill of the first three books is, in part, because of the tension that Edward and Bella haven’t had sex yet. Once they do, the relationship fizzles out and the story becomes much more traditional:
Perhaps some of this bitter disappointment stems from book four’s departure into adult territory, where Bella becomes a traditional—and boring—teenaged mom. The removal of the couple’s sexual tension reveals two tepid, unenlightened people. Neither character has much to offer outside the initial high school romance storyline: Bella doesn’t have any interesting hobbies, nor is she particularly engaged in the world around her. Her only activity outside her relationship with Edward seems to be cooking dinner for her father. Edward hangs out with his family, but the bulk of his 24 hours a day of wakefulness seems to go to either saving Bella from danger or watching her when she sleeps—you know, that age-old savior/stalker duality. Romantic!
As someone not finished with the series, I don’t feel comfortable commenting on the article much. I will admit that the feminist part of my brain kept feeling uncomfortable as I listened to Twilight because I didn’t like the dominant and submissive dynamic between Edward and Bella. As much as its romantic to have a big strong vampire to get your out of jams, Edward can be more than a little condescending (in my humble opinion). I don’t know if I’d go as far as this author on her criticism, but maybe you have an opinion?
What do you think about the argument of this article? Does it change what you thought of the Twilight series? Do you think the author is just reading too much into the whole thing?
Updated September 10, 2009: There’s been a lot of discussion and comments on this post, so I’m updating it to add links to a few other feminist and literary criticisms of Twilight and vampire stories in general. I also want to comment on one criticism that’s come up in the comments on this post — that Twilight is just pop culture crap so it doesn’t merit literary criticism.
I strongly disagree with that argument; anything that is a cultural phenomenon deserves to be looked at critically. In the case of Twilight, I think it’s important to consider the underlying values the novel is predicated on (not Mormonism, but the values Meyer sets up as acceptable in the world of the story). Those values should be talked about because it’s always important to think about what we’re being told. Even if you think Twilight is fluff, there are still people reading it and it’s important to talk more deeply about what the books are saying. </Soapbox>
Anyway, here are some other articles or posts I’ve found interesting on this particular topic that you might enjoy too:
- Nymeth (Things Mean A Lot) pointed me to a post on The F Word called “Feminism and the Vampire Novel” that puts some of the Edward/Bella stuff into a context of the vampire stories canon. This article is a nice complement to the one this post was originally about.
- Kellen Rice wrote two post for Politics. Sports. Anything. that are also quite critical of the series — ‘Twilight’ Sucks… And Not In A Good Way and Twilight: A Follow Up and a Promise. The second is especially funny.
- This defense of Twilight argues people who haven’t read the book should judge and that current feminist criticism is elitist.
If you have more Twilight literary criticism, please feel free to send it my way. I’ll continue to update this post for a little bit longer because I feel like it could use some more defenses to make the post more balanced. Enjoy the updates!
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
I think that argument is spot on in this case. I really wanted the books to end with book 3, but Meyer felt the need to write book 4, which fell flat for me.
I think the submissive/dominant relationship with bella and edward only works in the context of their abstinence.
A very good article. And about time.
Hi Kim,
This hasn’t got anything to do with your post, but I had to come an thank you for the comment you left at my place yesterday, concerning making a link in my post. It works!!!! I have posted a link list for the Blog Improvement Project and really works!!!! Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! Now I can put links in my post! Can you tell I’m very excited! This has been a curse on my blog for 2 years now, and now I can do it! Once again, Thank You, if I could do it, I would give you a big hug!! Have a great day!!
Sherrie
Definitely don’t disagree with the article, as it pretty much makes the same points that I have in discussions regarding why I dislike the books and the series. I understand that Meyer tries to backpedal when it comes to some of these objectionable themes by arguing that it’s a fantasy series, but… they’re targeted at young girls, primarily. And they will read the books and think that Edward is the type of boyfriend they should want, that his behavior is ok, that Bella *is* a role model (no matter what Meyer says) to them. Sure there are elements to the stories that will never ring true, but the human themes (sacrifice for love, damsel in distress, etc.,) are things that can shape their worldview and not necessarily in a good way. If I had a 12-year old daughter and she looked up to Bella, I would be really upset.
I haven’t read any of the Twilight series and I never will probably because of these very issues. As the previous commenter said, if my daughter looked up to these characters, I’d be kind of upset — and worried.
Great article — and timely. I have some of the same issues with the series even though I never did finish all 4 books. My friend who has a teenage daughter really, really dislikes the Edward & Bella dynamic; her daughter thinks it’s great.
I find these statement to be right on the money, but I do feel also that the 4th book is the only one that should have been made into a movie. There is definite action, it’s not just stalker Edward and obsessive Bella drama. And the final confrontation (I won’t ruin that for those that are still reading or haven’t read it yet and will) was well played other than the werewolf cop-out. When you read it you’ll know what I’m talking about. I think the thing that bugged me the most was Bella was so “I just want to be a vampire only to do a total flip and have her be like I want to be a mother and I don’t care what you say.”
Wow, I expected more disagreement about this article! It seemed pretty inflammatory to me, even though I agree with some of the main points.
Serena: That’s interesting, I’m curious what I’ll think of book four when I finally get there.
Jeanne: Ha ha
Steph: I agree, I think the fantasy argument only goes so far, especially with a book that is so intent on creating Bella as this sort of smarter-than-average everygirl. From book one, there are things about Bella to look up to, but some stuff I don’t think are good either.
Rebecca: Yeah, I don’t think I’d want someone looking up to them, but they are entertaining. I think it’s interesting to think about how the books (1-3) make an abstinence argument (something most people would say is good), but in exchange it sets up a relationship that is worrisome in other ways.
Melanie: I would have wanted an Edward when I was younger too
Amanda: I haven’t seen the movies yet, but I’m thinking about it once they are out on video. That’s interesting about Bella’s flip.
While I agree with the arguments made in the article, I personally believe that the author knew good and well that anything to do with Twilight (good or bad) garners attention and readership right now. And that’s why they wrote it.
Here’s the thing about Twilight. It doesn’t hold up to literary criticism, because the book is complete fluff. A seventeen year old is so obsessed with a boy, she goes into a catatonic state for six months?? (In New Moon). Ummm… yeah, I think teenagers are more adaptable than that. When logic is applied to the book, the book falls away. It honestly doesn’t make me feel differently, because when I read the book I took it for what it was… fluff.
Thanks for that link. I am normally not much of a feminist, but this article is spot-on. I despise the whole Twilight franchise exactly for those same reasons, although I couldn’t have put it quite this succinctly.
I read only the first book and constantly fought the urge to throttle Bella, because she is so pathetic and stupid. And Edward is the quintessential scary stalker-type – I really don’t get what is supposed to be so fascinating about him. Then again, I never really got the sexual fascination for vampires anyway – to me it just seems like necrophilia.
And from what I read about the other books (there’s a fantastic and hilarious recap of them available on LiveJournal) they are even worse.
I used to really hate Twilight, but nowadays I just laugh about its ridiculousness. Insofar literary criticism is really wasted on it. I have read fanfiction written by 12-year-olds that had more literary merit than Twilight.
If I had a daughter, though, I would by far prefer she watched Buffy than read Twilight.
I think the article definately highlights the downfalls of the Twilight series. I hated that Bella especially had no other hobbies or interests.
Michele: Well I’m sure publicity is part of it — it helps to write about things that are current, but I don’t think that makes the arguments less valid
Kim L: I have to disagree a little bit, actually, at least on the idea that you can’t use literary criticism to look at a book as fluffy as Twilight. Sure, drowning in symbolism and stuff probably isn’t useful, but I think you can use a critical eye to see what values a book is presenting to readers. In this article, I think the author accurately points out that there are varying sets of values present in the book. Some, like abstinence, are pretty obvious, but some of the other themes the author mentions don’t come out until you analyze part of what the book is about. Certainly I wouldn’t expect to see Twilight become a classic that academics take on, but I think it’s still worthy of some assessment even if it is just fluff
Samulli: Ha ha! I wanted to take a few minutes to have a chat with Bella during the first book and have her get her head on straight, but I feel that way about a lot of characters in the books I read. I want to find the Livejournal recaps, I’ll have to look.
Michelle: Yes, it does. Bella needs a hobby — too bad she is too clumsy for almost everything
For those that are interested in the livejournal Twilight recap it can be found here:
ttp://cleoland.pbwiki.com/Twilight#Bookdiscussionentries
I haven’t read the books yet, but they’re on my TBR list. Especially as I love both vampire and romance. Which brings me to the main aspect of the ‘Twilight’ series – they are commercial fiction, not literary fiction. Not intended to be heavy, but calling them fluff when their intent is to entertain is kind of missing the point. Fluff makes the writing seem pointless, when it has garnered enough interest to inspire feminist criticism.
My cousin Julianne MacLean, a historical romance writer, absolutely loves the series for their expert use of sexual tension without anyone going to bed.
I am not sure that I would call Meyer’s use of “sexual tension” expert… I mean, Bella & Edward hold off having sex for the first three books by essentially having the same conversation over and over again (”I want to have sex with you!” “Not unless you marry me” “But I don’t want to get married (but I’m totally up for you making me a vampire, something that is totally irrevocable)!” “Then we won’t have sex AND I won’t make you a vampire” “Now I’m going to sulk and whine…”), which doesn’t require much skill. I mean, plenty of tv shows have worked on the principle of keeping characters apart for a while, because it’s well-established that people like the whole lead-up to things and then get bored once the characters are together. So on that level, what Meyer is doing isn’t even that novel (ha!).
Amanda: Thanks! I started to read the LJ piece, and it’s pretty funny.
julia: Good point, although I think Twilight garnered this sort of criticism because of it’s cultural impact (and nothing to do with the writing, fluff or not). There are plenty of fluffy books that could be analyzed, they just don’t have the current events ring that Twilight does (as Michele pointed out).
Steph: Ha ha, that entire conversation made me laugh! Spot on summary.
Haven’t read the books, but I find it interesting that people are so into the ’sexual tension’ part…I think that’s the easy part to write either for TV or in books… the low hanging fruit. The difficult part (in real life or in fiction) is creating an adult relationship that is dynamic sexually and emotionally and mentally and spiritually. I think that would make for a good book!
Uhm, that’s not the LJ review I meant. I meant this one here:
http://stoney321.livejournal.com/317176.html
One of the funniest things I ever read, on LJ or elsewhere. After reading that I just couldn’t hate Twilight anymore, I could just feel sorry for anyone who actually takes it seriously. LOL
@samulli – ha ha that ones great too. I didn’t know about that one. But it was definitely worth reading.
I haven’t read the books and although I think that they have been translated into Danish and that the younger crowd may have begun reading them, there has not been the same buzz over here re. this series.
So I can’t say anything about the books, the writing style etc. But the “conversation” Steph refers to above looks like it could’ve been taken from any of the first Anita Blake books (written by Laurell K. Hamilton) where Anita is also, repeatedly, saying NO! to her two love-interests, the vampire Jean-Claude and the werewolf Richard and maintains that she wants to stay a virgin. Although she is not asking to have them marrying her, it is definitely the same tension that makes for some interesting stories. I have to say, though, that this series most definitely is not for kids. When there is sex involved, it is often pretty weird and hardcore stuff, although not so much in the first couple of books in the series. But it does sound to me like the author of the Twilight series has been inspired by this other series….?
I have to completely disagree with these comments. This series was created for young teens and people have just torn apart the storyline to analize every bit and piece of the story. Do you honestly think that young teenagers actually think about these things. Meyer’s has written a book series that gets kids interested in reading. I see kids glued to these books and talking about them 24/7 with their friends. Leave it to the critics to tare apart a good piece of work and try to turn kids away from getting interested in reading.
hi..!
i think that your post is really interesting because yes is a little stupid that bella is the pet of edward i mean the girl do whatever edward says! I feel really bad when the 4 book was over because is was so… Predectible. An almost good series of book become one of a thousand books, the little thing that was special was over and i belive people like it because the way is written i have hear that is poor and maybe it is but people love it is simple and easy to follow.
At the end is just an other book to relax not a master piece but just a book.
Im sorry about the mistakes on my writting but this is not my language so… I try my best.
The post was…
very disturbing. I admitt i’ve read the books, but its only recently have i made these connections with just how wrong these books are.
As a teenager, you don’t IMMEDIATELY notice these things, but teens have noticed it.
Teens are not stupid. We can make connections with books, and such.
Yeah, these books are awful.
i think these are disgusting books to be aimed at young girls. bella is uninteresting (what are her redeeming qualities? she’s plain and falls over constantly. attractive.), and uninterested. She falls head over heels for her boyfriend at 17, and gives up her entire life for him, including college, her parents, and almost her life. twilight is an allegory for abstinence, anti-choice, and submission in women.
It makes me laugh…all the critics having their say about what messages the books send…the Twilight series of books are basically centre around a mythical storyline – something that I think teens and/or tweens will be able to comprehend (the smart ones anyway…) and realise it is just fantasy…no subliminal message or a purposeful fly in the face of feminism as many would have you believe!!!
As for, ‘if Edward wasn’t a vampire..” comment – in the storyline he IS a vampire so the point is moot…if we want to go down ‘what if’ and scenario changing lines, then we could argue that if the main female lead, Bella, was changed into a vampire (aka eternal life) then she would have copious time on her hands to study etc…
at the end of the day, these books are for entertainment and to tell a story…to get teens/tween interested in books again.
Seriously, let authors have fun with different storylines and genres…the smart readers will know its just a fictional, mythical story…
I think the criticism is silly. If you dislike it so much then why is all this time spent talking about it? I mean, I agree with the fact with all the 12 year olds running around chanting “Twilight” need go get a life as they should read the book when they are a little older (since the books deal with more young adult/adult conflict), but what I really don’t understand is how you can criticize something if you haven’t experienced it? True criticism comes from watching, reading, or taking part in something and analyzing its value, not by what rumor comes down the grapevine. People are so intrigued by this story simply because it’s an intense love story. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but honestly move on to something else. Please.
Whenever a cultural phenomenon comes along, I like to form my own opinion of it, and my opinion is that “Twilight”, which I finished reading today, is an utterly vile book. I reviewed it here.
Bella is so pathetic and weak it’s untrue, and the whole thing just reeks of an unbalanced and abusive relationship. I actually found the book really disturbing.
I’m a man of 34, so I’ll admit I’m way out of the target demographic, but I have a daughter aged 7. I’d rather she didn’t read books like this when she’s older, as I’d like to think she’d aspire to more than just simpering over handsome bad boys.
I heard a lot about Twilight, and my friends all instantly split into two camps: “OMG I LOVE IT” and “OMG WORST BOOKS EVER.” Now, I’m a Literature major, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s to read a book honestly and thoroughly before forming an opinion.
Twilight did not give me this choice.
Allow me to explain: I began reading it, and while the juvenile writing style hurt my brain a bit, it was all right. All of Isabella’s “I’m so unpopular–oh wait people here are falling for me right and left” annoyed me, but, no matter, I can ignore it.
The point when I actually quit was this:
It’s that part where Bella goes to another town with her girlfriends to shop for prom, then wanders off in typical heroine fashion. She gets catcalled and eventually followed and cornered by some creepy guys. Now the problem was that this part was actually well written–it was realistic! By the time she realized “these guys may not just be after my purse” I was riveted. How would she get out of this situation?
And then Edward drives up in his flashy car and whisks her away. Crisis averted.
I was LIVID!! What is the implication there? That a woman in a bad situation better hope someone comes along to bail her out?
I felt tricked, basically, and a book that tricks me is never a book I can look kindly on. I still have the book–maybe one day I’ll finish it–but right now I only have to look at it for my irritation to rise. How dare he!
All I want to say is that you can not look at the relationship as a human/human relationship. it is a human and a vampire, and if you read the books while paying attention to details, you would realize that a vampire in its most basic form hunts humans, so they are very alluring to humans. that is why bella is so obsessed with edward. however, edward, due to the fact that he is a “vegetarian” vampire, is able to overcome that basic animalistic desire. this pushes them beyond the basic vampire eats human storyline and thus a relationship is created. the story is how their relationship transforms. you cannot judge edward and bella’s relationship and compare to our relationships as humans. he is a vampire, so the relationship must be different.
Hi Kim,
I haven’t read the Twilight series and have no desire to read them. Vampire stories just isn’t my thing. So I can’t really make a comment. But I also don’t see why this series is so poplar. My opinion only. Have a great day!
Sherrie
See, I think the problem is that teens wouldn’t think about it and the book presents a scenario that we wouldn’t normally think is ok.
For example, there’s a line in the second book where Bella says that when it comes to her future, college is her second choice and her first choice is turning into a vampire to be with Edward forever. That sounds romantic and stuff, but if you make Edward not a vampire then what the book is suggesting is that finding someone you love is enough of a reason to just derail your future. That, to me, doesn’t seem like a message that a mom would want to send her daughter, yet that’s the message the book seems to send.
AMEN, SISTER! it seems like Twilight only gets praise, and that if you criticize it, the twilight freaks will have their revenge. so it’s refreshing that someone actually spoke the truth about these books!
Damn right. Twilight is low reading age pap.