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Theorizing Twilight: Critical Essays on What's at Stake in a Post-Vampire World
Since the publication of Twilight in 2005, Stephenie Meyer's four-book saga about the tortured relationship between human heroine Bella Swan and her vampire love Edward Cullen has become a world-wide sensation--inciting screams of delight, sighs of derision, and fervent pronouncements. Those looking deeper into its pages and on screen can find intriguing subtexts about everything from gender, race, sexuality, and religion. The 15 essays in this book examine the texts, the films, and the fandom, exploring the series' cultural reach and offering one of the first thorough analyses of the saga.
255 pages, Unknown Binding
First published August 9, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 17, 2022
Really loved the comparisons of Edward to Byronic (or rather anti Byronic) heroes and the general comparisons and contrasts to work of Austen, the Bronte’s etc. Also really enjoyed the detailed exploration of Twilights cultural impact, with the discussion of tourism etc. The validity of the romance genre was also really refreshing, to see the genre approached so critically and with such sort of ‘love’, rather than dismissal, of romance.
However, some of the comments on gender and the sort of ‘toxic relationships’ fell a bit flat, but perhaps that’s just because I’m writing an essay arguing against such claims lmao. The series definitely has its issues, but the the reduction of female characters to damsels in distress, or that the saga is a danger to teen girl viewers, felt a bit unwarranted and over exaggerating.
However, some of the comments on gender and the sort of ‘toxic relationships’ fell a bit flat, but perhaps that’s just because I’m writing an essay arguing against such claims lmao. The series definitely has its issues, but the the reduction of female characters to damsels in distress, or that the saga is a danger to teen girl viewers, felt a bit unwarranted and over exaggerating.
January 21, 2012
- I received a copy from LibraryThing Early Review in exchange for a fair and honest review -
Twilight. Whether you love the series or love to hate it, no one is exempt from having heard of the phenomena, making this book perfect for anyone. This collection of essays are an attempt at an academic and intellectual critique of the series, looking at Twilight, "the phenomenon surrounding it, and the cultural and popular effects and implications of the saga" (page two), in a way that the authors hope is "entertaining but enlightening, thought-provoking but user-friendly." (also page two)
Divided into three main sections, this book covers all sorts of topics including, but not limited to:
fandom, the effect of tourism on the town of Forks, franchising and the utilization of fans by filmmakers, The Hero's Journey and the psychological underpinnings of the saga, feminism, the transformation of vampires from villains to prince charmings, race and economic class, "how fairy tales and literary tropes such as the Byronic hero inform the saga (page 6), patriarchy, "how the series taps into our culturally constructed notions of age, gender, love, romance, and sexuality" (page 6), age and age relations, comparisons to Wuthering Heights and works by Austen, post-feminist backlash, rape myths and violence towards women, the hetero-normative world view, biblical themes and the saga as a re-writing of Adam and Eve, and the creative feminine.
These essays, we are told, "offer a deep exploration of the saga; one that teases out the implications of its popularity ans asks readers to examine more deeply their own reactions to the cultural phenomenon that is Twilight." Meant to be an "enjoyable, thought-provoking exploration of the saga and its widespread cultural impact." (page 8)
I may not have agreed with the points every essay had to make, but I do admit that this book was a very interesting read. It was nice to be able to look at the series in a more in depth way, especially with references to other literary works (such as Wuthering Heights and fairy tales). There is, I believe, something for everyone within the various approaches found within the pages, and would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Twilight, whether as a fan or as a critic of the series.
Twilight. Whether you love the series or love to hate it, no one is exempt from having heard of the phenomena, making this book perfect for anyone. This collection of essays are an attempt at an academic and intellectual critique of the series, looking at Twilight, "the phenomenon surrounding it, and the cultural and popular effects and implications of the saga" (page two), in a way that the authors hope is "entertaining but enlightening, thought-provoking but user-friendly." (also page two)
Divided into three main sections, this book covers all sorts of topics including, but not limited to:
fandom, the effect of tourism on the town of Forks, franchising and the utilization of fans by filmmakers, The Hero's Journey and the psychological underpinnings of the saga, feminism, the transformation of vampires from villains to prince charmings, race and economic class, "how fairy tales and literary tropes such as the Byronic hero inform the saga (page 6), patriarchy, "how the series taps into our culturally constructed notions of age, gender, love, romance, and sexuality" (page 6), age and age relations, comparisons to Wuthering Heights and works by Austen, post-feminist backlash, rape myths and violence towards women, the hetero-normative world view, biblical themes and the saga as a re-writing of Adam and Eve, and the creative feminine.
These essays, we are told, "offer a deep exploration of the saga; one that teases out the implications of its popularity ans asks readers to examine more deeply their own reactions to the cultural phenomenon that is Twilight." Meant to be an "enjoyable, thought-provoking exploration of the saga and its widespread cultural impact." (page 8)
I may not have agreed with the points every essay had to make, but I do admit that this book was a very interesting read. It was nice to be able to look at the series in a more in depth way, especially with references to other literary works (such as Wuthering Heights and fairy tales). There is, I believe, something for everyone within the various approaches found within the pages, and would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Twilight, whether as a fan or as a critic of the series.
January 4, 2012
Really nice collection of essays covering all aspects of Twilight from fan culture to religious subtexts to Meyer's use of Byronic tropes and misuse of Native American myths. I particularly liked the essay that examined Edward as a neutered version of Heathcliff - the Byronic hero who is dangerous to know, but who isn't really mad or bad. I also thought the essay about Edward's controlling and abusive tendencies was pretty interesting - not so much the "stalking" behavior that has gotten so much attention, but his attempts to control Bella's life - who she hangs out with, her decisions about her family and their wellbeing, even whether she looses her virginity. In many ways Edward exhibits classic abuser behavior. Is it justified because the circumstances are so heightened? Debatable. The same essay also examines Bella's complete internalization of her own worthlessness.
Though the authors of these essays are never condescending towards the books, films or the fans themselves, the conclusions they draw about the Twilight worldview are disturbing - the absolute denial of female agency, the unstated but pretty obvious need to put everyone in a male/female couple (apparently, a very real part of Mormon theology, as marriage and reproduction lead to heaven), the Othering of the Native characters. Much food for thought here.
Though the authors of these essays are never condescending towards the books, films or the fans themselves, the conclusions they draw about the Twilight worldview are disturbing - the absolute denial of female agency, the unstated but pretty obvious need to put everyone in a male/female couple (apparently, a very real part of Mormon theology, as marriage and reproduction lead to heaven), the Othering of the Native characters. Much food for thought here.
June 19, 2021
What this collection does particularly well is presenting academic research in a conversational tone that is easy and quick to read. Any of these articles would make great additions to any syllabi that include the Twilight media, and the subject material ranges from the impact of the films on actual Forks, WA, to the racist stereotypes at play in the depiction of the Quileute people. I particularly enjoyed the chapters by Heather Anastasiu, Ananya Mukherjea, Melissa Miller, Natalie Wilson, and Anne Torkelson. A valuable book for anyone interested in engaging critically with the series (or for considering potential impact of passing the series on to a new generation).
December 27, 2011
This collection of scholarly essays thoroughly investigates and critiques the Twilight series. From Noble Savage stereotypes to Edward as a not-quite-there Byronic hero, to the perpetuation of rape culture, patriarchy, and ageism, this book covers it all! No matter how much you know about the books (and despite your level of love or hate for them), the depth to the underlying issues detailed here will seduce you quicker than a sparkly-skinned vegetarian vampire.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews