Friday, 08 May 2009

• Why I Jumped on the Bandwagon.

  I thank Facebook for introducing me to Edward Cullen.
  
  I was spending a boring day perusing the thousands of pages of Bumper Stickers I could send my friends and noticed that someone named Edward Cullen was pretty famous, as nearly all of the stickers on each page emblazoned his name. I sat there, scratching my head. A new celebrity? I never heard of him. I switched the tab to Google and searched. I laughed when I realized Edward Cullen is a fictional character, a vampire even. Teenage girls are ridiculous; the multiple love affairs with a made-up man confirm it.
  
  I gave up the bumper sticker search, sick of seeing reasons why "Edward Cullen is better than your boyfriend." I clicked on the television and much to my annoyance, I saw a commercial for the movie version of Twilight. I groaned and remember shouting, "Seriously?!"
  
  I started seeing Twilight everywhere. At school, girls were carrying it around campus and reading in various classes. Target had a shelf devoted to the series. Voices in my head began hounding me with the names of the books, and then Robert Pattinson's handsome face when make-uped as Edward. I couldn't take it anymore. I had to see what all the fuss was about. I had to see what made this stupid, childish book series turn into pandemonium.
  
  I succumbed to the popularity on my next trip to Target, where I purchased the first book for the everyday low price of $8.99.
  
  Once at home, nestled in the corner of my comfortable couch with a blanket and a hot cup of tea, I began reading. Within two days, I had finished the 300-and something page book. It wasn't nearly as stupid as I thought. In fact, there were many good things about the book that I found myself really enjoying, even though the story is written at a sixth grade reading level.
  
  A story about teenage vampires, werewolves, Forks, Washington and Volterra, Italy, is more culturally relevant than one might think.
  
  The first thing that is great about this not-so-well written series is the fact that it represents much of the turmoil of the teenage years accurately. Sure, we don't have vampires and werewolves pining over as as we try to adjust to a new school in a new state. We do, however, often have to make friends with people who are very different from us, even if this means making personal adjustments and being open to new, unheard of things. Bella's the same way; it just so happens her potential new friends are ancient mythical creatures. It also portrays the struggles of relationships with which teenagers so often deal. There's always a question as to whether or not a new significant other's family is going to approve of not only the relationship itself, but the new mate. Edward's family does some pretty serious judging that Bella has to persevere through as her relationship blossoms. And a final purpose of the teenage years is to decide what direction you want your life to take. For many of us, we chose to go to college. Some chose to jump right into work, or the military. Bella's making that same choice, only one of her alternatives is different. She can choose between college or eternal life. It may not be the most realistic of situations, but it still parallel's everyone else's life-changing choice.
  
  Romance is another thing that has allowed for Twilight to reach the epic status that it has. While nothing is too racy or sexual, Edward embodies one literary archetype: the fairy tale prince. I digress, Edward is a stone-cold, pale teenage boy with sharp teeth, which could be frightening. However, Stephanie Meyer did not create Count Dracula, part two. She constructed the vampires in a way that made them docile and beautiful, allowing them to capture their prey by captivating them. This beauty, therefore, compels teenage girls to flock to him and be mystified. Also, Edward says all the right things, all the things a teenage girl thinking she's ready to fall in love wishes on a star to hear. "You are my life now." What young, easily swayed girl with an ounce of romantic desire in her heart wouldn't want to hear that? Yes, even I found myself pretending someone was saying that to me after I read it. Creepy? Perhaps, but I never once said that I didn't find any of this creepy. I simply said it's interesting and captivating.
  
  Finally, the most important thing that has allowed me to find myself liking the books and perpetuating the Twilight bug: it is getting teenagers to read. I wouldn't be able to count on my fingers and toes the number of girls I saw reading the books in high school that had never cracked open a book that wasn't required for a class, much less read it in the light of day in front of harsh peers who would quickly mock their nerdiness. Maybe it's the future English teacher in me, hoping that one day, all people will find a love for something so great as reading. Until that moment comes, though, I cannot allow myself to continue to hate a book series that is sparking interest in reading.
  
  So there you have it. The reasons I jumped on the Twilight bandwagon. Yes. I did just write a blog about Twilight. Go ahead, laugh. It's juvenile and silly, but hey, it's fun. Try not to hate too much.

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