Low self-esteem, depression, dependency and complete lack of personality are all characteristics that describe the heroin of the “Twilight” saga by Stephanie Meyers.
A new role model for today’s literary teenager, Bella Swan can only be described in relation to the men in her life and the choices that she makes regarding those men. Besides reading the occasional romance novel, Bella has no outside interests from the men in her life.
“New Moon,” the movie that premiered in theaters on Friday, is based off the second book in the “Twilight” saga in which the main male character, Edward Cullen, leaves Bella to supposedly protect her from himself. For months, Bella is so depressed that she does not eat, go out or talk to any of her friends at school. Her unhealthy behavior is only changed when she finds another man to spend her time with.
Edward eventually returns to reclaim his relationship with Bella and becomes extremely jealous and possessive when he realizes Bella has a new male companion. The two never have any conversations outside of telling each other how wonderful they are. His manipulation and control over who she sees and where she goes are portrayed as protection that stems from the true love that Edward has for Bella. Her attachment to Edward has no real premise, and he too easily controls her. After only knowing him for a short time, Bella makes up her mind to become a vampire and spend eternity living with Edward. She is willing to give up her entire life, school, friends and family to become a vampire and sacrifice herself for a man she knows nothing about.
As a young woman character in an extremely popular series, Bella is a role model for teenage girls. Her fantasy world is projected as a healthy way to live life and the normalcy of her depression is a terrible image to project to those who are easily influenced by such media.
As teenagers, women need to be taught that they do not need to sacrifice their own interests and ideas to gain the affection of a man.
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