itsnotmymind: (Default)
itsnotmymind ([personal profile] itsnotmymind) wrote2021-03-02 05:24 pm
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Twilight: Bella's Self-Loathing

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?

[identity profile] itsnotmymind.livejournal.com 2021-03-05 10:25 pm (UTC)(link)
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.

[identity profile] supernutjapan.livejournal.com 2021-03-07 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
My understanding was the author was criticized by many for this exact reason. Seems it is not up to feminst standards.