1.19.2012

Why I Hate Twilight: Part II D


Why I Hate Twilight Part II: Relationships are Toxic and Abusive
Part D: Edward Physically Abuses Bella



Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it's that time again. If you remember, last discussed was the various examples of mental abuse throughout the series. But we can't overlook the obvious. 

Bella has taken a beating. Literally.



Now first let's get out of the way the notion some of you may have that Edward doesn't want to hurt Bella, and that he's warned her constantly that he can hurt her with the smallest touch. Guess what? It doesn't work that way.

Imagine an abusive husband being tried in court for domestic violence trying to explain himself, "I mean, I TOLD her that I have strong hands. It's not my fault that I threw her out the window. I didn't want to repeatedly beat her. It's not my fault."

That wouldn't fly. 


And yes. Though it is true that Edward hates himself every time he hurts Bella in any way, it doesn't change the fact that she still has bruises over her body. And it also doesn't matter that Bella doesn't seem to mind. Because, as already discussed, Bella is slightly insane.


So. When does he abuse her?  

On page 89, my friends.


Under the dusting of feathers, large purple bruises were beginning to blossom across the pale skin of my arm. My eyes followed the trail they made up to my shoulder and then down across my ribs. I pulled my hand free to poke at the discoloration of my left forearm, watching it fade where I touched it and then reappear. It throbbed a little. (Breaking Dawn, 89.)


Hmmm yes. I can tell his intentions were honorable as he ravished her in this way.



Also. There's that time when he like rips open her uterus or whatever when she's in labor, and then, like, turns her into a vampire. I think that also counts as abuse. Because even though he was just trying to save her from the demon child, he's the one who put it there.


Perfect.


Anyway. The point you can't overlook is the fact that Stephenie Meyer has gotten away with making this abusive main character desirable because he's proper, depressed and self-deprecating. This is not okay. This is called single-handedly destroying everything the Women's Rights Movement has achieved with a single sparkly fruit of a character. 




Or at least that's what it seems like in my mind.



16 comments:

  1. No that's what it is. It's refreshing to see a girl who doesn't tear of her clothes at the thought of that sparkly fruit as you put it. I'm pretty sure that she also passes out from the pain during...what I guess passes for sex, and she gets broken ribs, and dear God the birthing part. Why did you have to remind me? Why? Have I hurt you in some way?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sorry! I know how you feel because I didn't even read that part. I refused. I just skipped that page. I saw the mention of way too much blood and just skipped it.

      Delete
    2. You're lucky. Just imagine Alien if you've seen it, where the Alien comes.

      Delete
    3. Luckily I haven't seen that either. Though, that does not stop my mind from picturing a mucousy mess of grossness and horrid. Is that accurate?

      Delete
    4. Add a werewolf that wants to mate with a foetus and you've got a pretty accurate picture.

      Delete
  2. I knew an abusive family and the father went out of his way to be friendly despite hitting his three children and his wife in secret. Even someone who causes abuse can hate himself for what he or she did yet that in no way excuses what happened. I've hated Twilight for a number of reasons but when I heard about that it sealed the deal for me. Personal taste is one thing but this series is so popular among young girls, and you can't tell me they're all smart enough to see through it and not let it happen in real life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right. I definitely think that if Twilight doesn't necessarily encourage spousal abuse, it could definitely lead to tolerance of it in the minds of young women.

      Delete
    2. This is true. If they accept "I didn't want to do it" as an excuse for abuse, they're going to be more desensitized to it. There is no excuse for abuse and they shouldn't think their is.

      Delete
  3. Love the blog Lex. You're so pretty!

    www.nmephotoblog.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I quite enjoy your take on twilight. Makes me happy. I want to print this and start putting it up around my university. haha

    ReplyDelete
  5. I had honestly never thought of it that way. I mean obviously I thought it was stupid of her to be with someone who bruised her while they were making out... or well you know. But it does send a terrible message. I mean, was the sex really worth it?

    ReplyDelete
  6. I totally agree. I'm also a fellow hater of Twilight, and Breaking Dawn is probably one of the worst movies I've ever seen. She almost dies for goodness sakes! I don't even want to read the books anymore. Thanks for posting this! I'd love it if we followed each other:)

    Shelby xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  7. Another brilliant installment!!!

    Honestly, that whole post-wedding night sequence really bothered me when I first read it. I mean, hello, Bill and Eric don't go all wife-beater on Sookie in True Blood (of course, they do bite her with her consent, but I'm guessing it's a vampire thing). :/

    ReplyDelete
  8. hahahaha. amen amen amen amen amen... you are a genius. Twilight is messed. up.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Agreed! I nominate a name change, too! SHDEtWRMHAwaSSFoa - acronym.

    ReplyDelete