When you think of Twilight, you probably think of love at first sight. The novels and movies are filled with examples of people falling head over heels in love at first sight. But is that really what happens in real life when you meet your Twilight?
The books and films are certainly romantic comedy gold, but they were also inspired by true events. The most famous example is how author Stephanie Meyers based the character of Bella on herself. One of the first times readers meet Bella, she’s lying in a cemetery wearing a black dress and holding a glass rose. This is a clear reference to Meyers’ tumultuous early life, which she described in her bestselling memoir, I Messed Up. The same goes for Jacob, the werewolf who becomes Bella’s lifemate. The character is heavily inspired by Meyers’ ex-boyfriend, Carlisle. According to legend, the character of Jacob was based on Stephenie’s younger brother, Charlie.
So while the original Twilight series might leave you with a happy ending, it’s important to remember that it was also based on Meyers’ real-life struggles. And that, as we’ve come to expect, isn’t a storybook romance. When it comes to real-life Twilight, most people have two thoughts. One is that of Edward Cullen, the vampire who sees Bella as nothing more than a food source. The other is that of Bella’s best friend, Alice White, who struggles with anorexia. It’s these thoughts that make up the majority of the negativity surrounding Twilight. If you share these thoughts, then you’re going to have a hard time enjoying the series. But if you believe that there’s more to love than just food, then you might find that Twilight has a lot to offer.
The Food Issue
It’s important to note here that no matter how many calories you might consume while watching Twilight, you’re going to have a lower impact than you would if you were watching an episode of Game of Thrones. Because at least with the former, you’re still alive at the end. To put it plainly, Edward Cullen is not the greatest role model when it comes to nutrition.
In the books and films, vampires are often depicted as being slim and attractive. While this might be the case for the fictional kind, it doesn’t hold true for all of them. In fact, some vampires have been known to eat their victims. So if that’s something you’re into, best to know beforehand. Vampires are also known to drink the blood of animals and humans alike. This can cause them to grow fangs, which is why in most cases, they hide their identity when not eating. The most infamous example of this is Carmilla, the vampire queen from Thomas Ingleson Wright’s 1897 Gothic novel, The Vampire_.
This kind of thing doesn’t just go down on the page, either. In 1922, the American Medical Association published a list of the health drawbacks of drinking animal blood. One of the reasons given was that it could lead to addiction. And while some might argue that this is no longer an issue, given the chance, most people would still choose to indulge. And who are we to deny them? There are already far too many overweight adults in the world as it is, and the last thing we need is for there to be more sugar coursing through their veins. At the end of the day, it’s all about moderation.
The Anorexia Issue
While Edward Cullen might not be the healthiest role model in the history of film, he does have one quality that the average flatworm doesn’t posses. The guy can’t get enough of Bella. And that’s what makes him so appealing.
In the Twilight universe, vampires have an advantage over humans. The most basic of which is the ability to stake them through the heart. While this might not seem like an advantage to humans, trust me, it is. At least when it comes to keeping your weight down. This is because when a vampire consumes a human, the nutrients in their blood feed the vampiric cells within. This, in turn, triggers a physical change in the body of the feeder. They start to crave blood, which makes it easier for the creature to maintain a healthy weight. So while it might not be the most positive depiction of the human condition, it’s important to remember that there’s more to Edward Cullen than meets the eye. And for that, we should be grateful.
The truth is that outside of the Twilight universe, a lot of vampires wouldn’t be able to maintain a healthy weight anyway. Anorexia is one of the main health problems that dogs suffer from. Between the poor nutrition and the stress of living in a place where there’s always something new to smell or taste, it’s no wonder many canines suffer from this distressing condition. It also helps that the condition is a lot easier to diagnose in dogs than it is in humans. This is fortunate for those who are afflicted, because it means they can get the help they need a lot sooner than they would if they were human. This, of course, doesn’t mean that dogs aren’t still subjected to prejudice and ridicule. One famous example of this was when a group of children chased down and kicked a dog for the amusement of their peers. So while there might be more than meets the eye when it comes to Edward Cullen, his inner wolf still suffers.
Is Edward Cullen The Best Role Model For Adolescents?
When it comes to adolescents, there’s no question that Edward Cullen isn’t the best role model. At least not by conventional standards. To begin with, the majority of adolescents experience a rapid growth spurt during this time, which means they’re either already fairly large or else they’re going to grow exponentially during their teen years. So if you compare this to the characters in the Twilight series, who grow slowly until their mid-20s, it’s easy to see how Edward could be viewed as a role model of a different kind. He might not be the healthiest role model, but he’s definitely the most convenient when it comes to getting an A in English. Which, as we’ve established, is more than likely what counts when you’re an adolescent.
A more suitable role model for adolescents would be Bill Clinton. Now, before you click away in disgust believing that we’re comparing the US president to a fictional creature who never really existed, let us remind you that everything in The Twilight Saga is entirely fiction. Even the names of the places and the people who live there have been fabricated. One of the most glaring examples of this is Emmett, the small town in which most of the action in Twilight takes place. Or as the residents of Emmett like to call themselves, ‘the unwitting victims of Stephenie Meyer’s literary genius’. This is an especially apt description, given that most of the inhabitants of Emmett are unaware that they’re just characters in a novel. This delusion is exemplified in Twilight’s opening chapter, in which the main character, Bella, declares that “Emmett is just a little town”. In reality, Emmett is a small collection of farms and ranches surrounding a grocery store, a post office, and a church. The population might consist of a few hundred people, the most prominent of which are probably the ones that live in the fictionalized versions of the town’s most famous buildings.
But it’s not just about appearing suitable as a role model. There’s also the issue of whether or not you’d want to be associated with someone of the opposite sex. Let’s be honest, in our day-to-day lives, there aren’t many opportunities to interact with members of the opposite sex. For most people, this would probably only happen at work or school. So if you happen to be blessed with the presence of a soul mate, who happens to be of the opposite sex, it’s not hard to see how you might feel nervous or intimidated in their company. It could even be difficult to look them in the eye.
Edward Cullen is obviously fictional. But despite this, there are a lot of men and women who try to emulate his behavior, which can occasionally lead to problems. One of the issues that plague these people is trouble relating to the opposite sex. This isn’t a problem that affects Edward’s followers exclusively. There are already numerous accounts on the Internet of men and women who have had issues with their spouses or lovers emulating Cullen’s behavior. So if you’re one of these people, then it might be better to steer clear of Edward, at least for a while. There might also be some other characters in the Twilight series that you should avoid, as well, if this problem is something that plagues you.