One of the most intriguing aspects of the Twilight series is the question of whether or not its male protagonist, Robert Pattinson, eats pussy. The fact that the series revolves around Pattinson’s sex life makes this particular question all the more intriguing. While we may never know the truth about Robert Pattinson’s sex life, luckily for fans of the Twilight series, there is one area where author Stephenie Meyer really does speak on the matter: the cover of her 2006 book, New Moon.
The book’s cover is a drawing of the protagonist, Bella, in the arms of her vampire lover, Edward. On one of her hands, Bella holds a small bowl with a pussy in it. The other hand is raised in the air, suggesting that she is about to bite into the soft flesh of a woman’s genitals, a sure sign that she is, in fact, a vampire.
This image, unsurprisingly, has caused a whole lot of controversy. Some have accused Meyer of glorifying violence against women. While other have pointed out that the image is just a metaphor for Bella’s desire to be closer to her “vampire family.” The point is that this is not a book you would normally put in the average library. It’s definitely a book you would pick up if you wanted to find out more about vampires and their habits.
The Sexuality Of Bella
In the Twilight trilogy, Bella’s sexuality is presented in a very simplistic way. She is either with Edward or with a “vampire family.” These other “half-vampires” are not really given proper names, but we’re given to understand that they are the ones that made Bella the vampire that she is. She never really interacts with any of them on a personal level, except for some fleeting sexual encounters that are completely overshadowed by her relations with Edward. In short, she is a devoted student who just happens to have a rather unusual sexual orientation.
We first meet Bella in New Moon, where she is a full-fledged vampire. She has renounced her human life and her previous way of living. She no longer requires food or water. She sleeps all day and spends her nights drinking the blood of animals or willing humans. She has traded her human physical capabilities for the superhuman instincts of a vampire. In other words, she has become ‘stronger’ and ‘more manly’ (i.e. more masculine) than before. In a way, it is as though Edward had ‘feminized’ (i.e. ‘turned’ or made womanly) Bella.
When Bella meets Edward, she sees a mysterious and captivating man who is also the youngest son of the wealthy and influential Volturi coven. Edward has been raised in a strictly traditional manner, while Bella’s previous experiences have made her crave a more ‘modern’ lifestyle. She wants to rebel against her parents’ conservative ways and embrace a more ‘advanced’ way of life.
This contrast between the old ways of living and the new ways of living infuses New Moon with a certain sexual charge. Bella is still a virgin, but she has already begun to question the nature of her own sex drive. She wonders whether or not she should feel guilty about her newfound sensuality. Should she deny herself the pleasure of being with a man, even if it is her own son? These are questions that trouble a young woman who has tasted blood and wants to taste more. She sets out to seduce the father of her unborn child, with whom she has grown quite fond. Naturally, this affable gentleman has no idea that he is the father of a vampire’s child. He believes that she is just another well-bred girl, whose family is rich and powerful.
This is a common misconception. It would be fair to say that Bella’s family is rich, but nowhere near as powerful as her father, Ampere, has led others to believe. In reality, Ampere is quite weak and lacks the charisma needed to be a leader. He spends most of his time in his study, drinking espresso and pontificating about power and politics. He is a highly educated man, but he has little to bring to the table.
Bella’s mother, Victoria, on the other hand, is a force to be reckoned with. She is a former socialite turned novelist, who helped her daughter get into university. Victoria is a strong and vibrant woman who still enjoys engaging in witty conversation. She is intelligent, glamorous, and very, very rich. Even Ampere admits to being jealous of his wife’s money. He may lack the brains to run a multimillion-dollar company, but he is certainly not short of cash. In an era before the discovery of DNA paternity testing, this alone would have been sufficient reason for Ampere to claim paternity of Bella. However, he is too humiliated to admit to being less intelligent than she is. He chooses to believe that her blood is ‘in’ his veins, and that is why he is her father.
Bella’s other parent, Louis, is not nearly as impressive as his wife. He is a dutiful and loving son who is, nonetheless, not particularly bright. He has devoted his life to being the best possible husband and father that he can be. He is the epitome of a ‘dad bod’ and does his best to be an advocate for his daughter’s welfare. It is no wonder that Bella looks up to him. He always has time for her, no matter how busy he is. Louis is a man of few words but his actions speak volumes. He is a loving and doting father who also happens to be over 6’5″ and very intimidating. It would not be surprising if Bella feared him. What a combination!
Bella’s Sexuality
At this point, we have established that Bella is a very womanly woman, whose only real challenge is the desire to deny herself the simple pleasures of being a housewife. Being the daughter of a wealthy, powerful man does not hurt either. These are the kinds of things that make her special and very, very attractive. It should come as no great surprise that Edward sees her as an ‘older sister’ and begins to look up to her. He does not have the confidence to act on his feelings, but he certainly does not lack courage. He will do whatever it takes to protect her from those who would harm her. This may include a physical altercation, but he will not hesitate to use his superior strength to subdue his opponents. It is no wonder that Bella sees him as a sort of ‘big brother.’
Bella’s Taste For Men
Edward is, without a doubt, one of the most handsome men that Bella has ever seen. Naturally, she is instantly captivated. She wants to experience what it is like to be with a man that is as handsome as he is. Her previous relationships have all been with men that were either very, very unattractive or significantly less handsome than Edward. Naturally, this has made her wary of men and their motives. It is not that she doesn’t desire to be with them. She just wants to make sure that they aren’t after something that she doesn’t want to give. This is a woman who has been raised to believe that men are inferior to women and will never truly understand her needs. As a result, she has learned to be cautious and mistrustful of them.
Bella is extremely flirtatious and enjoys having male company. She takes a keen interest in other men and finds their company exciting and sometimes even educational. It is through these other men that she learns about ‘the way men think.’ She is a woman who has been deprived of the sexual experience and only sees sex in its most primitive and animalistic forms. As a result, she is either attracted to or arouses strong feelings in almost every man that she comes across. Naturally, this can lead to trouble. This is a woman who has learned to rely on her ‘vampire abilities’ to indulge her every whim. She is a nymphomaniac who will stop at nothing to get her needs met. It is no wonder that Edward compares her to an addiction. In a way, he is right.
Ampere’s Daughters
Let’s fast forward a few years. Bella is now a fully-fledged adult. She has given birth to several children, including a set of fraternal twins. Since she is the daughter of a very rich and prominent man, she has learned to rely on her bank account and access to her father’s powerful friends. She uses this network of connections to launch a successful media career. She owns several magazines and newspapers and even launches her own line of accessories. Naturally, there is no stopping her. She becomes the golden girl that her father cannot stop praising. Even Ampere’s other children look up to her. She is unquestionably the most ‘modern’ and ‘up-to-date’ woman in the family. She is intelligent and glamorous, but she is also very driven and ambitious. They will all have to live up to her high standards.