Twilight: Bella's Self-Loathing

[itsnotmymind]

I read the first Twilight book years ago. I spent the first half of the book thinking, Meyer can't be serious about this. I spent the second half of the book thinking, I think she's serious about this.

I enjoyed it, in the way one enjoys something that is terrible. I enjoyed it, but not enough to read any of the sequels.

However the reality is that it was very popular with many people, and I often try to think about why.

Something that doesn’t get talked about very much is this: Self-loathing.

Bella is very self-loathing character. Much of the book's first person narrative is her putting herself down. She and Edward both bemoan their stupidity for being in love with each other.

So I wonder, why is that so appealing to people? Or at least girls and women?

Comments

[supernutjapan.livejournal.com]

Not appealing. Relatable. People like to read of people they can relate to, I think. I do. I had a lot of self-loathing in high school. I was fat, and big, and shy and it was really hard to love myself for what I was. And I bet there are a ton of people who feel the same. They all wish for someone to tell them that they are beautiful and strong and loveable. So that's why the books were and are popular, I think. I loved the books. I read them over so many times LOL

[itsnotmymind.livejournal.com]

I will never love the books, but I know about self-loathing

(Are you familiar with the P!nk song Don't Let Me Get Me? That was what I listened to when I was high school aged.)

I think it's interesting that I so rarely see that aspect of Twilight discussed.

[supernutjapan.livejournal.com]

My understanding was the author was criticized by many for this exact reason. Seems it is not up to feminst standards.