The Trouble With Twilight

Herein Salad Sister Liz explains why she thinks it is in Invisisis's best interests NOT to read Stephenie Meyer's vampire romance novel Twilight. In the process, she discusses her observations about the ways that romantic relationships are often depicted in books, movies, and other media, and shares her opinions and personal experiences regarding the effects such depictions can have.

I'm very excited about the discussion that this video has sparked. So many of you have such excellent points to make on all sides of the issue. I encourage continued discussion in the comments, and/or if you want to get into even more in-depth conversation, we've now got a forum on this subject at the SisterSalad ning: http://sistersalad.ning.com/forum/topics/twilight-and-other-romantic Check it out!

WARNING: This video contains some mild Twilight spoilers starting about 3 minutes in. I don't disclose any specific plot points; I just talk about some general facts about the characters and their relationships. And I warn you in the video when the spoilers are about to begin, so feel free to watch the first part of this video even if you have not yet read Twilight and don't want to know anything about how the story goes before you do.

Category:

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Tags:

• bella
• edward
• cullen
• dating
• book
• review
• young
• adult
• fiction
• sister
• salad

[dillenbeck53531]

The other day I was in Barnes and Noble with my wife. While I paused to look at what section we were in, she turned and said in a slow, disbelieving, dead-pan voice "New.... Teen.... Supernatural... Romance." Yup, an entire shelf of it followed by several shelves of 'just' Teen Supernatural Romance. *sigh* Apparently, teens did not heed your warning. Of course, I am disappointed that you did not cover the impossible archetype is has created for boys - millions will go dateless now....

[sistersalad]

@dillenbeck53531 Yikes. And you're certainly right that the Twilight novels set up negative expectations for males as well; a topic for another video...

[piratejayne]

I understand your point of view , but that is why I disagree with you. I believe that all girls crave that sweep you off your feet romance. Since romantic tales have been around for a long time: it has probably been an on going thing. Most of us have come to the realization that this is an invalid expectation, and therefore live vicariously through tales of said splendor. I do agree that it is dangerous to mix fantasy with reality. As long as a reader takes the story as a great vacation.

[sistersalad]

@piratejayne I don't know - I think if you look at literature throughout history and world culture, you'll see that our current understanding of romance has not been a constant of human culture. Marriage was, for a long time in many cultures, largely considered a property acquisition.

[prairieair]

I read (and enjoyed) the series after my teenage daughters started reading it. To me it seemed like a great tool to open up a dialog about aspects of healthy and unhealthy relationships. There are many good things modeled in the books as well as some bad. I think it may even have been the author's intention to get young women thinking about these things. Whether or not they look past the Twilight mania and think about the deeper issues is up to the individual reader.

[sistersalad]

@prairieair I definitely think the Twilight books can be a helpful teaching tool by providing an example of negative relationships, but only if the topic of what makes a relationship (and attitudes towards romance in general) healthy versus unhealthy is explicitly discussed. I would disagree that this was the intent of the author herself, simply because those themes are not drawn out by the books themselves - rather, Edward and Bella's relationship is ultimately painted as desirable.

[dreaminsleepin]

Hermione taught me that even when the love of your life is away, you can still fight and be brave and in her case, continue to find information leading to the downfall of a dark lord.

Bella taught me that girls are nothing without a man and should curl up in a ball and jump off a cliff if he's away

[magmaesteele]

Well written!?!?! Have you seen Alex Day reads twilight? She is a complete shit writer.

[NSCGalaxy]

I completely Agree with your statements...dont worry about the people who have a problem with your opinions (the haters) on the Twilight books, sadly their all suffering from a mental disorder known as "necrophilia";) and to all the parental units who green lit this abusive and obssesive relationship for their children; I suggest you re-evaluate your own relationship with your spouse. psychological and emotional abuse should never be encouraged. (and yes i've read every chapter of every book.

[MomoHasMuffins]

the first two minutes made me sub :D you're great :)

[katnissblue99]

charlieissocoollike reads twilight is brilliant.

I have read twilight (i know people who say they hate it without actually reading it) and i hated it. I have also been in relationships, and i don't find it worthwile, and the end of it is not worth the happiness at the beginning. Why do we read this stuff? b/c imaginary love stories are perfect. Life isn't perfect, and we aren't perfect so why do we expect relationships to be perfect?

[HOUSTONTEXASSCREW]

dam you on some pcp or some other shit

[victoriaisntsosecret]

that *are, I meant. Sorry!

[victoriaisntsosecret]

Your eyes are profusely massive...I love them! Completely off the record, as I am a thirteen year old girl and have read the entire "saga" (God, that word is so irrelevant in this situation). I find the writing awfully repetitive in nature, making it uninteresting in the highest caliber. The plot, in my opinion, is just so incredibly dead that it's practically unfathomable in this sense. I dispise the infatuation, sexism, and sexual disorders that is flooded throughout this book.

[Culture261]

@sistersalad Agreed, thankfully this book isnt about that.