A Christian Perspective on Twilight
Examining Themes of Temptation & Abstinence in the Book and Movie "Twilight"
Twilight, the uber-popular book (and movie) by Mormon mom Stephanie Meyer, is that rare phenomena - a sexy book about virtue, conscience, and good, old-fashioned morals and manners. If you enjoy old Bronte sisters and Jane Austin novels about brooding, noble, self-sacrificing heroes, this book is for you.
Teenage vampire Edward Cullen is an unexpected delight, a breathtakingly handsome super-hero who COULD easily be a demonic villain but makes a conscious decision to put aside his powerful drives and urges to be a better, more "human" being. This is what makes Edward the hero in Twilight - his innate sense of right and wrong, his concern for the state of Bella's soul and his own, and his willingness to pursue what is right, even if he suffers in doing so.
Edward Cullen has been around for over 100 years, but he is forever 17 (and played in the upcoming Twilight movie by 22-year-old Rob Pattinson). He falls in love with 17-year-old Bella Swan while battling his overwhelming urge to kill her and drink her scintillating blood which calls to him in a powerful way.
Bella Swan (played by Kristen Stewart who really is 17) is "Everygirl" - an average girl coming into her own, discovering her strengths and inner beauty through the eyes of the man, in this case a vampire, who loves her.
In Twilight, one could easily substitute the words "drink her blood" and "change her into a vampire" with "have sex with her" and the end result would be the same -- Edward overcomes ALL his baser desires to protect Bella's life, her virtue, and her soul. Edward has learned a lesson few humans are willing to comprehend anymore -- there are some things more precious than gratification. And even though as a predator Edward is equipped with all the seductive qualities to trap his prey, whether as food or for sexual pleasure, Edward rises above each temptation throughout the book and the series.
Although the Twilight story is told from Bella's point of view, and her qualities are also quite admirable, Edward Cullen is the true hero of Twilight. Bella is the apple - the temptation for Edward, and Edward is also the temptation for Bella -- hence the symbolic apple on the book's cover. This book is truly about temptation and abstinence in all its forms. It may be a little mature for young teens and tweens.
Christian viewers and readers will find much to appreciate in the Twilight books and movies if they will think of them more in line with Christian fantasy by C.S. Lewis and less in line with other vampire novels. Twilight is also an action-packed thriller which should appeal to anyone who loves a good super-hero as well as a ruthless villain. Read the book Twilight ; then see the Twilight movie ... or vice versa!
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Content Source: A Christian Perspective on Twilight - Bukisa.com
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