...Read Twilight.

I would like to introduce this blog by stating a few facts about said blog:

1. "A person who can write a long letter with ease, cannot write ill."

Throughout my high school career, I refrained from reading any Jane Austen novel in fear of becoming like the rest of the female population: collapsed in a dated love story. However, after being forced to read Pride and Prejudice for my senior English class, Jane Austen became like the yin to my lonely and aching literary yang. I began to read novels, watch movies, and envision situations with the same attitude as this head-strong feminist. I hope this chapter is one of many entries in which Miss Austen's timeless opinion, as portrayed from my knowledge of her personal life and her many works of fiction, can be placed in this aimless modern age.

2. My Enchantment, Disenchantment, and Fallout with Stephanie Meyer's "novel", Twilight.

Before all Twilight-ites begin shrieking complaints as to how I criticize this "work of art" without giving it a chance, I want to make the record clear that I have in fact read all of the books. I feel like I gave this book its fair share of chances. But like a flaky boyfriend, this book just consistently left me hanging. During my freshman year of high school, this novel fell into my lap as a birthday present. The craze had not yet reached its peak and this was simply a piece of literature, not a trend. I must sadly admit that I had become enthralled, albeit for approximately a week, I was indeed taken by the idea of forbidden love. However, as each novel progressed, and as Miss Meyer continued using the same metaphors to describe Edward Cullen's handsomeness and Bella Swan's meek existence, this series and I, like any relationship, hit a brick wall. The fire had gone out in one swift breath and the intimacy of a quiet corner under a bright desk lamp felt like a guest that had overstayed her welcome by a month. I also began to realize the sheer idiocy of the book after watching Alex Day, a fairly popular You-tuber. He reveals the simplicity of Meyer's novel by reading each chapter and adding witty criticism to the superficial lines.





It also aids in your viewing pleasure that he is very English and quite adorable.

And yet, I digress from the true reason of this blog.

One must imagine that the great authoress of the 17th century got her pristine hands upon the 21st century craze that is Stephanie Meyer's book, Twilight.

Imagine a woman whose literature has defied social norms and decorum, pushed women's roles from beyond the grasp of men, and aided in creating a momentous movement, laid her eyes upon the catastrophic shift within the pages of Twilight.

Austen had the ability to create memorable and strong female protagonists, such as Elizabeth Bennett and Emma Woodhouse, whose self-determination and self-confidence overflows. Meyer's protagonists describes herself as lacking coordination and is disgusted at her "pallid reflection" and sallow complexion. Austen's male leads, such as Mr. Fitzgerald Darcy, are the quintessential men. They exude the silent warmth and strength many women yearn for in a mate. Meyer's leading men sparkle in the sunlight and drive Volvos. I have a feeling that if Elizabeth Bennett had the ability to step out of the crisp pages of Pride and Prejudice, she would deliver a harsh reprimand and possibly a swift kick to Bella Swan's lovesick noggin.

The period of time between the day Elizabeth Bennett was introduced into literary greatness and the night Bella Swan meandered her way into popular culture was filled with momentous events for the role of women. In the United States, women were given suffrage in 1920. Occupations expanded beyond teachers and nurses. The United States Supreme Court appointed Sandra Day O'Connor as the first female Supreme Court Justice. Women achieved high positions in their country's government, such as Margeret Thatcher and Golda Meir.

However, as an up-and-coming author in the 21st century, Stephanie Meyer did not follow the golden path of the independent woman. Rather, she created a character that is overly self-conscious, emotionally unstable, and completely unable to function without her "true love", Edward Cullen. And today, a positive role model is in dire need for young women. Body issues, domestic violence, and teen pregnancy plague the modern world and the most popular female character is self-loathing and is "nothing" without her vampire mate. Meyer has not used her power as a writer to create a healthy character. One moment in the second novel that particularly stands out in my mind is the chapter in New Moon in which Edward leaves Bella after a particularly frightful event involving some bloodshed and a very hungry Cullen. After their breakup, Bella spends a good majority of her time in the fetal position. I may not have a wide experience with relationships, but I have been through a breakup and I don't believe I ever once found myself in the fetal position. This act symbolizes Bella's de-evolution from a woman in love to a lost child. Meyer has tried to defend her work by stating that this separation is unlike any teenage romance, but as a woman losing the love of her life. However, being a teenager myself, we see each significant other as "the one". Whether we enjoy long relationships or gain a new one each week, each has its own strong hope for the future. By allowing this behavior to be attached to this teen romance shows young women that it is acceptable to wallow endlessly over this kind of loss. Bella Swan's dependency issues scream out at such a deafening volume throughout the four book series, my ears bled. Bella is only sane, and I do use that term loosely, when she is in the strong, cold and pale arms of Edward, her sparkly vampire.

Miss Austen would have some serious issues with this melancholy heroine. Through Elizabeth Bennett's actions and words, Austen is able to display her feelings towards a woman's "necessity" to have a man. She is also able to portray her attitude toward the restrictions of the Pre-Victorian/Victorian Age tat kept women "in their place". Bella Swan and Stephanie Meyer's unhealthy Vampire/mortal relatioship has erased centuries of hard work on behalf of the feminists.

So, thank you, Stephanie Meyer, for creating a ridiculous craze of a mythical and destructive affair for twelve year-olds to obsess over. Thank you.