History Analysis / Twilight

!!Literature/{{Twilight}} and Mormonism

This whole series seems to be infused with Mormonism, which is understandable considering the author. Edward is described physically as Joseph Smith; Carlisle is in many ways portrayed as God; even Rosalie Hale is quite obviously a reference to Smith's first wife, Emma Hale. Similarly, the [[MoralGuardians morals in the story]] are largely Mormon: No sex before marriage, when it happens no attempts are made at birth-control. Free choice only exists so a person can choose to be virtuous by choosing to suffer, which Bella and the Cullens do continuously throughout; Bella by moving to Forks and taking on all kinds of domestic chores afterwards, the Cullens by abstaining from human blood which weakens them and causes them to always be longing for it.

When Bella becomes a vampire, [[{{Anvilicious}} she does it by dying - and being reborn as a Saint]], finally equal to her angel Edward. The sparkle-in-sunlight effect is comparable to a body-sized halo, such as saints are seen to have in certain paintings. Of course, once one is a vampire one is practically omnipotent - there is nothing you can't do - [[EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory like a God]].

Meyer herself has admitted to being influenced by Mormonism in her writings, although she denies intending it as propaganda.

However, when Bella sees Edward's "phase" of murdering people in his vampire youth as "natural", it is more reminiscent of Meyer's views on youthful mistakes - like giving Jacob a free pass on his sexual assaults and pedophilia - than of anything an actual person who isn't a sociopath would say.

!!How becoming a vampire affects you
The Website/LiveJournal site Das Sporking has a rather interesting analysis of how going from human to vampire changes a person and enhances their core personality traits - just not the way Meyer intended. Check it out [[http://das-sporking.livejournal.com/489710.html#cutid1 here]], starting about half-way down the page.

But to summarize: Turning into a vampire seems to solidify and intensify your beliefs to the point that you treat them as reality no matter what the actual reality is, and your wants turn into needs and you feel entitled to them no matter what. Also due to the first point you are unable to reconsider them in any way. Also it enhances more than your core personality traits – it has this effect on everything you are.

!!Why The Series Is So Widely Loathed
(This is going to crib heavily from Creator/LindsayEllis.) While ''Twilight'' was critically panned and undeniably flawed, much media is, but ''Twilight'' is unique in the level of hate it gets. While it may be cliched and unrealistic, there are many wildly successful and critically disdained works that are (the ''Film/TransformersFilmSeries'' comes to mind.)

So what's the difference? ''Transformers'' is based on male WishFulfillment- getting hot girls, seeing robots beat each other to pulp, etc. By contrast ''Twilight'' is based around ''female'' WishFulfillment- being rescued by a super-rich, super-handsome, super-powerful sparkly vampire. As such,it is widely seen as making Bella seem passive and the narrative sexist- when ultimately, the misogyny may be (almost certainly unintentionally) with the person criticising it for being sexist, YouBastard.

!!Racism
Additionally to its sexism, the series portrays people of color as villainous, dangerous and animalistic. The werewolves being the most prominent example. From their hyper sexualized presentation in the movies, to the men being aggressive and forceful, posing a danger to the white vampire family and Native American culture being appropriated and altered. With the Quileute tribe also being offered no financial repay for the racist portrayal of them but the Mormon church getting 10% of Stephanie Myers’ earnings, the racism is evident in the real world too.
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!!Twilight and Mormonism

So what's the difference? ''Transformers'' is based on male WishFulfillment- getting hot girls, seeing robots beat each other to pulp, etc. By contrast ''Twilight'' is based around ''female'' WishFulfillment- being rescued by a super-rich, super-handsome, super-powerful sparkly vampire. As such,it is widely seen as making Bella seem passive and the narrative sexist- when ultimately, the misogyny may be (almost certainly unintentionally) with the person criticising it for being sexist, YouBastard

But to summarise: Turning into a vampire seems to solidify and intensify your beliefs to the point that you treat them as reality no matter what the actual reality is, and your wants turn into needs and you feel entitled to them no matter what. Also due to the first point you are unable to reconsider them in any way. Also it enhances more than your core personality traits – it has this effect on everything you are.

The LiveJournal site Das Sporking has a rather interesting analysis of how going from human to vampire changes a person and enhances their core personality traits - just not the way Meyer intended. Check it out [[http://das-sporking.livejournal.com/489710.html#cutid1 here]], starting about half-way down the page.

However, when Bella sees Edward's "phase" of murdering people in his vampire youth as "natural", it is more reminiscent of Meyer's views on youthful mistakes - like giving Jacob a free pass on his sexual assaults and pedophilia - than of anything an actual person who isn't a sociopath would say.

This whole series looks to be infused with Mormonism, which is understandable considering the author. Edward is described physically as Joseph Smith; Carlisle is in many ways portrayed as God; even Rosalie Hale is quite obviously a reference to Smith's first wife, Emma Hale. Similarly, the [[MoralGuardians morals in the story]] are largely Mormon: No sex before marriage, when it happens no attempts are made at birth-control. Free choice only exists so a person can choose to be virtuous by choosing to suffer, which Bella and the Cullens do continuously throughout; Bella by moving to Forks and taking on all kinds of domestic chores afterwards, the Cullens by abstaining from human blood which weakens them and causes them to always be longing for it.

Meyer herself has admitted to being influenced by Mormonism in her writings, although she denies intending it as propaganda.

When Bella becomes a vampire, [[{{Anvilicious}} she does it by dying - and being reborn as a Saint]], finally equal to her angel Edward. The sparkle-in-sunlight effect is comparable to a body-sized halo, such as saints are seen to have in certain paintings. Of course, once one is a vampire one is practically omnipotent - there is nothing you can't do - like a God.

This whole series looks to be infused with Mormonism, which is understandable considering the author. Edward is described physically as Joseph Smith; Carlisle is in many ways portrayed as God; even Rosalie Hale is quite obviously a reference to Smith's first wife, Emma Hale. Similarly, the [[MoralGuardians morals in the story]] are largely Mormon: No sex before marriage, when it happens no attempts are made at birth-control. Free choice only exists so a person can choose to be virtuous by choosing to suffer, [[{{Anvilicious}} which Bella and the Cullens do continuously throughout]]; Bella by moving to Forks and taking on all kinds of domestic chores afterwards, the Cullens by abstaining from human blood which weakens them and causes them to always be longing for it.

When Bella becomes a vampire, she does it by dying - and being reborn as a Saint, finally equal to her angel Edward. The sparkle-in-sunlight effect is comparable to a body-sized halo, such as saints are seen to have in certain paintings. Of course, once one is a vampire one is practically omnipotent - there is nothing you can't do - like a God.

This whole series looks to be infused with Mormonism, which is understandable considering the author. Edward is described physically as Joseph Smith; Carlisle is in many ways portrayed as God; even Rosalie Hale is quite obviously a reference to Smith's first wife, Emma Hale. Similarly, the [[MoralGuardians morals in the story]] are largely Mormon: No sex before marriage, when it happens no attempts are made at birth-control. Free choice only exists so a person can choose to be virtuous by choosing to suffer, [[Anvilicious which Bella and the Cullens do continuously throughout]]; Bella by moving to Forks and taking on all kinds of domestic chores afterwards, the Cullens by abstaining from human blood which weakens them and causes them to always be longing for it.

This whole series looks to be infused with Mormonism, which is understandable considering the author. Edward is described physically as Joseph Smith; Carlisle is in many ways portrayed as God; even Rosalie Hale is quite obviously a reference to Smith's first wife, Emma Hale. Similarly, the morals in the story are largely Mormon: No sex before marriage, when it happens no attempts are made at birth-control. Free choice only exists so a person can choose to be virtuous by choosing to suffer, which Bella and the Cullens do continuously throughout; Bella by moving to Forks and taking on all kinds of domestic chores afterwards, the Cullens by abstaining from human blood which weakens them and causes them to always be longing for it.