Review Detail

The gendered stereotypes that are prevalent in Twilight are dangerous.  First, young girls grow up with the dreams of being a Disney Princesses and once they are out of that stage they are hit by societal norms and pressures. Then they are hit with Twilight.  In this novel, Bella, a smart, young woman moves into a small dreary town only to develop a small group of friends that she is never fully satisfied with.  Boys are drawn to her because she is new, but the only person she is drawn to is Edward Cullen.  Soon they begin a slow courting process and soon Edward reveals that he is actually a vampire and that the reason he is so attracted to Bella is because he would actually like to feed off of her.  Throughout the novel Bella plays the damsel in distress, constantly finding herself in trouble no matter where she is.  But do not worry, Edward Cullen will come and save her& EVERY time.  This book is problematic because it teaches young adults that this kind of behavior is acceptable.  Edward is very forceful and he tells Bella what to do throughout the entirety of the book.  He tells her when he thinks she should eat and even who is driving.  The only time that Bella does not listen to him, she ends up putting herself in danger.  Thus, future perpetuating the idea that she should have listened to Edward or gotten his approval first.  This mindset is dangerous because not only does Twilight make it sound okay to be bossed around but it also makes it seem okay to put your life in danger by getting involved with someone that is not good for you.  Yes, this is just fiction, but what happens when that mindset gets mixed in with a more factual one?  This book only teaches young people that it is okay to treat women like they do not know anything but also that it is acceptable to give up everything for someone you barely know while completely putting your own wellbeing in danger.