I can see how, when you compare the series to Buffy, the Twilight books fall short of any feminist expectations. While these books aren't exactly a representation of feminist theory, they are a lot of fun. In the 3rd book, readers find that Bella does start to stand her own against what had been a rather controlling Edward (picking her friends and sorting out when she is going to get turned into a vampire, as well as doing about of saving the day towards the end). Most people who read the series dislike the second book most of all, for the exact reasons you mentioned. I don't think that Stephanie Meyer's book are feminist fiction, but her books also aren't anti-woman. Also, once you get to the end of the series, particularly in the last book, Bella certainly holds her own. While I don't think she ever reached Buffy levels of feminist superhero-dom, she achieves at least a Willow level of supernatural heroism and saves the day when Edward falls short.

I don't see how anyone can consider Meyer as anything but anti-feminist. In the first book, Bella is nearly gang-raped, and after Edward's rescue he makes her calm him down, showing no consideration for her feelings. One of Ed's sisters tells Bella of her rape, saying that if she'd just had a baby it wouldn't have happened, and she would have been happy. Bella's werewolf friend kisses her, and she almost breaks her hand punching him--and her father laughs it off and applauds her aggressor. The werewolves "imprint" on people, making them soul mates and completely removing free will from the equation. And mind you, it's always the man doing the imprinting (after which he becomes creepily attached), and the imprinting has been preformed on both a two-year-old, and Bella's newborn daughter.

Bella gets tough in the end of the book, tougher than the other vampires, but she's still relegated basically to housewife, and without ever deciding that that was the right path for her. Edward was never supposed to be able to get her pregnant, if anything her decision was to never have children because of that. While it's not outright said, the books teach that the only path to true happiness for a woman is being a wife motherhood, and only motherhood, outside of Edward Bella has no interests, no hobbies, and she barely cares about her friends outside of Ed's family. Lucky for Bella, the Cullens will be an eternal family, with the children all teenagers forever and the parents there to parent them eternally.

In Defense Of Breaking Dawn SPOILERS

Now, as an LDS-member, I doubt Stephanie Meyer meant for any part of her book to come of as being pro-choice (I'm NOT saying you can't be LDS and be pro-choice, but I'm just saying that in general MANY people of Christian faiths do not believe in abortion), however, the major plot point of Breaking Dawn was a pro-choice argument.

Bella finds herself pregnant with Edwards baby. The baby reaches full gestation at (I think) two months and keeps breaking her bones as it moves and kicks. It's HUGE and it's going to kill her. Edward, Jacob, et al want to "take care of" Bella's fetus (ie: abort it). But she won't let them. And ultimately Esme and Carlisle set their foot down and says it ABSOLUTELY MUST be Bella's choice and they will support WHATEVER she wants to do. It is reiterated several times that it has to be her decision.

In general, Bella isn't my favorite character and I don't think she has a lot of growth and development throughout the series, but she does put her foot down and say she's going to make her own choice about her own body and everyone is forced to respect it - what more could a feminist want?

Well...lots more. But still. I consider the books to be pure teen romance drivel and I don't expect them to do anything but meet those expectations.

Of course I agree that we SHOULD have awesome feminist messages supported in our most popular books, but I don't blame one book that isn't when our whole culture isn't.

Other reasons I like the Twilight series:
1. The "oh, we can't get pregnant, married sex is wonderful, who needs birth control? OH SHIT, we CAN get pregnant and we just did" (it can happen to Bella and Edward, and it can happen to you young folks)

2. Rosaline's rape. This is NOT something we typically see address in YA books, EVER. Unless it's the major plot point that the entire book is based on (ie: speak) rape never happens. I really like that it was addressed in the series, that the rapist was someone she knew and loved and trusted. I don't condone that she killed her rapists, but I definetly understand that feeling.

Bella finds herself pregnant with Edwards baby. The baby reaches full gestation at (I think) two months and keeps breaking her bones as it moves and kicks. It's HUGE and it's going to kill her. Edward, Jacob, et al want to "take care of" Bella's fetus (ie: abort it). But she won't let them. And ultimately Esme and Carlisle set their foot down and says it ABSOLUTELY MUST be Bella's choice and they will support WHATEVER she wants to do. It is reiterated several times that it has to be her decision.

Or maybe it's pro-life because Bella, the hero of the novel, wants to keep it and the smelly vampires want her to abort it. I don't know, I gave up after about 200 pages of Twilight. There's only so many adjectives for "pretty" one can read before one wants to kill something.

The problem with any kind of pro-choice message, is that even though Bella really wants the baby, Edward is basically like, "Oh, I would force abortion the thing if it weren't for Rosalie."

He really didn't give a damn what Bella wanted.

It seems like many of you are writing off the series as anti-feminist simply because the main character chooses to follow more traditional gender roles. I feel that feminism is about making it acceptable for women to choose the lifepaths they want. In Bella's case that was more of a homemaker. In Rosalie's case and Alice's case, they chose different paths. I also always felt that Bella, having an eternity to do what she wanted with her life, might pursue study or other tasks at a later date. Nightengale, when Rosalie talks about being raped, she said marrying for love and thus having a baby would have saved her from being raped by her cruel fiance, not simply having a baby would have saved her. Also, when a werewolf imprints, the woman always can choose not to be with the werewolf (this is specifically mentioned in the second book when Bella is particularly disturbed by imprinting, misinterpreting the process in the same way you did). It is also explained that imprinting is not always sexual but can be familial or simply companionship. Bella's father laughed off Jacob kissing her because he thought Jacob was the right choice for Bella and knew that Bella would not stay angry long. Bella chooses Edward fully, but many other women in the book choose different paths. Bella chose to be a housewife, to be a mother and to be with Edward. She decides to have that define her, other women in the books choose differently.

When it comes to whether the book is pro-choice or pro-life, I agree that it is mostly pro-choice. Pro-choice gives the WOMAN the right to choose her path and despite the concerns of many in the Cullen family, they allow that choice. I would also like to point out that those who wanted to abort the fetus were aware of the potential for harm or death to come to Bella due to the pregnancy. I appreciated that the issue was shown not to be black and white, as the issue of abortion never is that simple.

Nothing can ever live up to Buffy. Buffy was a magical program, how else can you describe something that made David Boreanaz a sex symbol?

Hell even Xander was kind of sexy on that show, at least enough so that you didn't wonder why Anyanka wanted to marry him (still never hot enough for Willow, nerdy + magic powers + freckles = trumps every woman alive.

In regard to the original post, I kind of agree that Edward and Bella's relationship can be a little dubious, but I don't think it is ultimately abusive, maybe just not ideal.

I think you have to give a little allowance for the fact that this is a trashy vampire romance novel (not that there's anything wrong with these!) and that not everything is supposed to be realistic... eg vampires and werewolves!

I mean Edward temporarily not wanting Bella to be friends with Jacob, whose friends are werewolves and capable of accidental violence (such as in Emily's case), doesn't strike me as controlling, rather he is being perhaps necessarily concerned. If this was realism, and Jacob was a human, maybe Edward's behaviour would be worrying, but Jacob does happen to be a werewolf!

Also, not wanting to put Bella through extreme pain and have her risk regretting a choice she can never revoke by turning her into a vampire is not abusive, because this a fantastical story, not realism.

I agree with everyone that the Twilight series is not really feminist (unlike Buffy!), I just don't think it is anti-feminist. I agree with Kelsey on most things, except I think Jacob forcing Bella to kiss him is completely crap, although I think Bella and Edward's anger makes sure it isn't portrayed positively.

I hate Twilight, and think that not only is it disgustingly anti-feminist, it is simply poorly written, with hugely Mary-Sue main characters. I am writing a sort of essay on it at the moment, perhaps I will post a link later.

no. the vampire-baby scene in breaking dawn is most definitely NOT pro-choice. it is, in fact, extremely ANTI-choice. the baby is fucking KILLING bella and she's like "no! we can't abort this mutant vampire freak because **it's edward's BABY**. blah blah blah." the basic message is that the "baby's" life is more important than bella's life. what a fantastic pro-choice message!

Who are any of us to say how an author should write a book. Really...it is FICTION...Hello! Bella is left to make conscious choices, not all of those choices are the best, but they were hers to make. Tons of women make choices based on the man they love. Does it make those choices right...maybe not in everyone's eyes, but if they are right to that person at that time then so be it. Bella is a young girl with a lot a maturing needed. We learn from our mistakes do we not? Bella to me was very independent and head strong. She stuck to her guns on a lot of things that were important to her. But her love for Edward always put him first. And for those of you who think that making a choice to be a "house wife" is a bad thing...why is that? If that is how a woman wants to live her life then so be it. How is that feminist at all. I really think that to much is being made out of a fictious story. If you want to talk about a book that is anti-feminist, pick up a bible. Hmmm don't remember reading about any woman in the bible that had free will and was able to make her own decisions.

Really I am on the fence. Its not one or the other. Its feminist and antifeminist (in ways I could see everyone's point) but I do ask you to remember when Edward was BORN and RAISED. The early 1900's!! It was only in 1869 that Wyoming allowed WOMEN to vote, to have their voice. So Edward was raised to believe that Men are our protectors and women are of a lesser being. (Granted we came from the Man's Rib blah blah blah-Men seem to look at that the wrong way) I in no way see that Edward is always in the wrong as some you you claim. I almost whole heartedly agree with freedom_is_slavery's and amberlust's posts. But back to Edward-He was raised in an Anti-Feminist TIME. And you can all say "he's lived though all the history changing events and probably studied them so he should be feminist"-but do we not still have people that are racially prejudiced, etc even after they came through the Civil Rights Movement. Quite frankly-If Edward could have become human again to be with Bella, I think he would have. And whats not to intrigue the mind about having an eternity to find your soul mate, your one true love, etc. And Bella quite frankly is a Bad Ass if you dont mind me saying so, she is strong in so many ways! Now on the the abuse thing-After Edward hurt her when they slept together the first time, he said no more but she made many advanced and played many a game to get him to sleep with her again. As for Renesmee (yes that vampire thing has a NAME) I think that Bella made the right choice to put her foot down and ask to keep the baby but I also think that Edward was making the right choice in nearly forcing her to abort her pregnancy. Its a fine line there between protection and taking away her rights-but still it is a interesting view of the topic. And quite frankly though Edward ticks me off by being there all the time isn't that what most women want in a significant other? Someone that is there for them always, look at how willing Edward was to leave her completely alone if she chose Jake, he never said "PICK ME OR I WILL SUCK THE LIFE OUT OF YOU" and quite frankly Bella needs someone indestructible by human force to watch over her-the girl is an accident waiting to happen. Now that I have ranted long enough I hope some of you can see by point here :D

The Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer is completely anti-feminist literature. The main character, Bella Swan, falls in love with a vampire, Edward, who does not feed on humans. Throughout the books Bella is describes as incredibly clumsy and is often tripping and falling throughout the novels. She says, “I [don’t] have the necessary hand-eye coordination to play sports without humiliating myself – and harming both myself and anyone else who stood too close.” (Twilight, 10) The first time Edward goes away hunting (animals for blood) after they become friends he says, “Try not to fall in the ocean or get run over or anything.” (Twilight, 109) She is constantly putting herself down by saying things like, “Physically, I’d never fit in anywhere. I should be tan, sporty, [and] blond.” (Twilight, 10) Later in the novel Bella almost gets gang raped, is rescued by Edward and he asks her to calm him down.
In the second novel Edward leaves Bella “for her own good” and she becomes so mentally distressed that she stops eating, stops hanging out with her friends, stops doing anything that isn’t necessary. When he leaves she says, “Love, life, meaning…over.” (New Moon 73) She claims to be “broken beyond repair. (New Moon, 219) That is until she finds out that being with and old family friend, Jacob Black, can help fill the hole in her chest left by Edward. (New Moon, 145) Jacob becomes a werewolf about half way through the novel and stops seeing Bella for a while. To this she says in almost a delirium, “Not as bad! Not as bad! Not as bad, but bad enough.” (New Moon, 273) Throughout this time she went back to being her half of a self, “ She found that if she ever did anything dangerous she hears Edwards voice in her head, she needed that delusion so much that she bought two motorcycles, one for her and one for Jacob, and decided to go cliff diving.
In third book Edward is back and he is more controlling than ever. Bella’s mother, Renee, says, “The way he watched you – it’s so … protective. Like he’s about to throw you in front of a bullet to save you or something.” (Eclipse, 67) and Bella is more emotionally involved, this is shown when her mom says, “You orient yourself around him without even thinking about it. When he moves, even a little bit, you adjust your position at the same time. You’re like a … satellite, or something. (Eclipse, 68) Edward would not allow Bella to see Jacob because “young werewolves are too dangerous.” One day when Edward is hunting she leaves to go to work, finds out that she doesn’t have to work and suddenly decides to leave and see Jacob. Because it was such a split second decision Edwards psychic sister, Alice, was unable to see the decision and warn him of Bella’s intentions before it was too late. The next time Edward goes away hunting he enlists his sister to invite Bella to sleepover, Bella sees though it and says, “You’re kidnapping me, aren’t you? (Eclipse, 145) nearer to the end of the novel during the big fight scene Bella shoves a sharp stone into her arm to distract the “bad” vampires so that Edward could get an advantage. (Eclipse, 550)
In the last book of the Twilight series Bella becomes a stronger character however this is mostly due to the fact that she becomes a vampire. In the beginning of the book Bella is driving a new car that Edward got her as an engagement present. She is stopped by two male tourists who ask if she would allow them to take a picture of her car. While they are doing so she overhears them say that her new car has, “missile-proof glass and four thousand pounds of body armour.” (Breaking Dawn, 7) Ironically it is called a Guardian. This underlines how over protective Edward is and how fragile he thinks that Bella is. During her wedding Bella is about to go down the stairs and she is so worried about her clumsiness she tells her dad, who is walking her down the aisle not to, “Let [her] fall.” (Breaking Dawn, 48) During the honeymoon Bella becomes pregnant with a fast growing human-vampire half-breed that is literally draining her life from the inside. Although as soon as Edward found out that she was pregnant he was ready to make her have an abortion she ran to safety in the arms of Edward’s other sister, Rosalie. This situation shows two anti-feminist examples. One is the face that Edward would be willing to force Bella into an abortion were it possible (Breaking Dawn, 178) but because of Rosalie getting involved he had no one to help him. The second example is Bella refusing to kill the baby to save her own life. When Jacob finds out what is going on he says sarcastically, “Of course, die for the monster spawn. That is so Bella.” (Breaking Dawn, 177) Bella believes that the baby’s life is more important than hers because it is part of Edward. Although later in the novel she becomes stronger as a vampire, more durable and graceful, she takes on the role as a housewife as though that was all she ever wanted from her life.
The Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer is complete anti-feminist literature.

Please understand what I am about to wirte is all based on my personal opinion and beliefs. I am not a basher on anti-femenist (or else I wouldn't be here =D) Just remember that I believe that as humans we were too once 'animals' in our minds and so we also have instincs. (even after we have evolved grown up etc) please keep that in mind while you read this. thank you very much. ^_^

I don't believe this is anti-femanist at all. I mean from my stand point- in this book its all about the writers thoughts.In my mind its all about prefrence and the authors own feelings growing up. Maybe when the author was Bellas age she had the fantasy of wanting a man like Edward. What better way to portray a strong dominant man then a vampire. The body and mind work in strange ways- We all have our fantasyies and we deny them cause they are "wrong". But there is no such thing as 'wrong' because your body tells you what you need and want. It never lies. Your body tells you this naturaly.

Which leads everything back to instinct. If You know 15-18 year old girls are into this kind of thing I say let them. They are totaly ignoring the fact that there is a "controlling relationship going on" (which isnt the case here) In instict (whether they know it or not) they are more worried about The attributes of Edward. They are shaping their IDEAL man: Strong, protective, watchful, and dominant.(dominant going towards strong and able to protect the girl againt outside parties: IE bad guy burgler etc) This is how women would chose a mate back in old times but with todays standars things have changed do to media. Now granted a girl can protect herself but some times there comes a time when a man needs to protect his 'female', lover etc.

In all honesty to sum this up it comes down to the fact that inside evryone there is an 'Instinct'- I would even go as far to say a primal factor when looking for a man and the most common is: Strong, dominant, and protective. Yes, some men that are immature can take the controlling factor and keep the girl from doing anythign but the problem there is the failure of trust in which case has nothing to do with anti-feminism. Thats more in the lines of psychology and learning to trust. Buuuut I don't want to go too far off an a tangent. Just understand that in this story that Edward is showing his ULTIMATE love for Bella by trying to keep her safe.

I say in no way is this anti-femenist. If anything at all its all about what most female/girsl invision their traits for a man and how we shape our ideal male. You may deny it because once again its "wrong" on the stand point of womens rights but something primal inside you says different. Its just now a days most women choose to ignore it.

Amyway, I am done here with my rant. =) I appreciate you all listening =^_^=