Did the book come to a satisfactory closure for you? Why/not?
The ending of Twilight came to a very satisfactory closing in a predictable, romantic novel sort of way. And at the same time, no conclusion was ever reached. How frustrating is that!!!
(P.S.- do not read further if you don't want the ending spoiled.)
So, of course the bad guy (or vampire) was defeated. Murdered, really. Edward's family took care to remove any traces that James ever existed. During all the heroic stuff, though, Bella did get bitten. Typical of the damsel in distress. The theory goes that if you get bitten by a vampire and not killed, then you are infected with the poison, which will turn you into a vampire. The only way to prevent that is to have the poison removed by having a vampire suck it out, without killing you. Ironic, huh? The very thing that poisons you is the one thing that can save you.
So, there is Bella, lying on the floor, slowly turning into a vampire. Now, Edward must make a choice. Let Bella experience this excruciatingly painful transformation into a vampire so that she may live with him forever, or suck the venom out and risk potentially killing her. Edward sucks. Fortunately, he did not kill her (go figure!). After Edward saves Bella, the rest of the book basically discusses Bella's wish to be turned into a vampire verses Edward's refusal to make her one of the undead.
The end of the book leaves the reader knowing that one day Bella will get her wish, but also leaves room for a potential sequel, which I guess would have been suspenseful if I had read Twilight when it first came out. Like I mentioned before, the relationship between Edward and Bella seems way too surreal, no thanks to them telling each other how much they love one another at least three times a page for the last forty pages!!!!!!!! However, considering the type of book Twilight is and the audience it is meant for, the conclusion would satisfy many teenage girls. Maybe I'm too rational, I don't know. But I will admit that the end was much more captivating than the rest of the book. The bad guy had a very interesting plan to lure Bella out of hiding. Overall, not a bad book.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Twilight (IV)
What do you think is the defining moment for the main character/person in you book? Why?
There are several scenes in Twilight that alter the following events. However, one scene alone completely transformed Bella and Edward's relationship, and everybody else's along with it. The night Bella travels to Port Angeles with her two friends changes everything. She goes off on her own in the creepy little town (stupid girl!), wanders off way too far, and ends up getting into trouble with some (I don't even know how to properly describe them) men. They begin by following her. Then, they split up and circle around her in an attempt to trap her. And I'm thinking that mugging was NOT on their mind. Right as they were about to pounce, Edward drives up -almost running the men over-, opens the door, and Bella hops in. What a rescue! And talk about perfect timing.
They go out to dinner, which is the first time their ever alone together. This, of course, gives them the chance to talk. That night Bella finds out about Edward being a vampire and all his other secrets. This scene determines the rest of the book. Once Bella made her decision to continue seeing Edward despite what he is, changes their relationship. The whole rest of the book occurs because of what happened that night in Port Angeles. After that night, they are practically inseparable.
There are several scenes in Twilight that alter the following events. However, one scene alone completely transformed Bella and Edward's relationship, and everybody else's along with it. The night Bella travels to Port Angeles with her two friends changes everything. She goes off on her own in the creepy little town (stupid girl!), wanders off way too far, and ends up getting into trouble with some (I don't even know how to properly describe them) men. They begin by following her. Then, they split up and circle around her in an attempt to trap her. And I'm thinking that mugging was NOT on their mind. Right as they were about to pounce, Edward drives up -almost running the men over-, opens the door, and Bella hops in. What a rescue! And talk about perfect timing.
They go out to dinner, which is the first time their ever alone together. This, of course, gives them the chance to talk. That night Bella finds out about Edward being a vampire and all his other secrets. This scene determines the rest of the book. Once Bella made her decision to continue seeing Edward despite what he is, changes their relationship. The whole rest of the book occurs because of what happened that night in Port Angeles. After that night, they are practically inseparable.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Twilight (III)
Does the author seem to have a friendly, unfriendly, or some other type of relationship with the content of the book? Why do you think so?
At first glance, the reader would assume that Stephenie Meyer has a friendly attitude towards vampires. The majority of the non-human characters are good people, who are trying to live a normal life. They are kind to Bella and never cause any trouble. However, on deeper inspection, I think the author's relationship with vampires is much more complicated.
Meyer is intrigued by the possibility of the existence of vampires (otherwise she wouldn't have written this book series) but is wary of their presence. Many times throughout the book she acknowledges the "facts" that they hold the potential to rip Bella to shreds in an instant. They thirst for human blood, and it is only through their moral conscience that they are able to resist the smell. Such limitations on their natural instincts can only be held back for so long. The Cullen's family could tear the town of Forks apart. With this knowledge, Meyers keeps her distance but still reveres the possibility of their strength.
At the same time, Meyers (through Bella's character) reveals that she is not necessarily fearful of vampires' thirst for humans. Rather, she accepts it. Much like a pack of wild animals, James and his group are called "hunters". They travel in small hunting packs and feast upon their kills. This way of life is natural. They can't help it, just like a lion can't help hunting and eating a baby lamb. There's no point in trying to condemn their species because they eat other animals. Meyers very rational puts up with vampires' thirst for human blood without judgement because that is their nature. You cannot change who you are.
At first glance, the reader would assume that Stephenie Meyer has a friendly attitude towards vampires. The majority of the non-human characters are good people, who are trying to live a normal life. They are kind to Bella and never cause any trouble. However, on deeper inspection, I think the author's relationship with vampires is much more complicated.
Meyer is intrigued by the possibility of the existence of vampires (otherwise she wouldn't have written this book series) but is wary of their presence. Many times throughout the book she acknowledges the "facts" that they hold the potential to rip Bella to shreds in an instant. They thirst for human blood, and it is only through their moral conscience that they are able to resist the smell. Such limitations on their natural instincts can only be held back for so long. The Cullen's family could tear the town of Forks apart. With this knowledge, Meyers keeps her distance but still reveres the possibility of their strength.
At the same time, Meyers (through Bella's character) reveals that she is not necessarily fearful of vampires' thirst for humans. Rather, she accepts it. Much like a pack of wild animals, James and his group are called "hunters". They travel in small hunting packs and feast upon their kills. This way of life is natural. They can't help it, just like a lion can't help hunting and eating a baby lamb. There's no point in trying to condemn their species because they eat other animals. Meyers very rational puts up with vampires' thirst for human blood without judgement because that is their nature. You cannot change who you are.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Twilight (II)
Last semester in Psychology, we held a unit on Social Psychology, which is the study of interactions between humans. One thing we talked about was the natural instinct to judge people's mental abilities based off of their physical aspects. Similarly, Bella states about the Cullen family, "I couldn't imagine any door that wouldn't be opened by that degree of beauty" (32). As wrong as I think this sounds, it is so true. People are judged based on looks. And it's not just their personality or morality that is questioned but also their mental depth.
I can't tell how many times I've had adults that I don't really know say how intelligent I must be based off of a 30 second conversation. They don't know me. All they see is a semi put together young lady who maintains eye-contact and smiles politely. That's all I give them to work with, and yet I've already been judged and classified.
Back in the fall, I went to several scholarship competitions. The one thing I learned (besides the fact that I SUCK at interviewing!) was that the better dressed, nicer looking students had a greater chance of winning the scholarship money. Every person in that room got there based on grades, class rank, and SAT scores. Everyone was smart, and everyone deserved the money. However, as soon as you walked in the room to meet people for the first time, you automatically dismissed people as "no way will they get it" based on their attire.
Unfortunately, this unfair practice remains quite common in everyday situations. The bad thing is that some people since they look nice, give the impression of being smarter, which can make their job/workload easier. How curious it is that our brains automatically connect physical appearance with brain function!
I can't tell how many times I've had adults that I don't really know say how intelligent I must be based off of a 30 second conversation. They don't know me. All they see is a semi put together young lady who maintains eye-contact and smiles politely. That's all I give them to work with, and yet I've already been judged and classified.
Back in the fall, I went to several scholarship competitions. The one thing I learned (besides the fact that I SUCK at interviewing!) was that the better dressed, nicer looking students had a greater chance of winning the scholarship money. Every person in that room got there based on grades, class rank, and SAT scores. Everyone was smart, and everyone deserved the money. However, as soon as you walked in the room to meet people for the first time, you automatically dismissed people as "no way will they get it" based on their attire.
Unfortunately, this unfair practice remains quite common in everyday situations. The bad thing is that some people since they look nice, give the impression of being smarter, which can make their job/workload easier. How curious it is that our brains automatically connect physical appearance with brain function!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Twilight
By Stephenie Meyer
2005
Twilight has been the rave for teens and tweens for the last year or so. Since the release of the movie version, even more popularity has built up over the past few months. My friend, who had read the first book, and I went to see the movie (I mainly went for the viewing of the lead character Edward). Afterwards, she mentioned that the movie had differed quite a bit and had cut out many details and events. Curiosity got the best of me, so I decided to read the book.
First off, I would like to ridicule those girls' cynicism for saying that the movie was way worse because of the lack of detail. That book is freakin' long!!! There is no way a movie could have followed the book exactly. The movie would have been five hours long. The Sound of Music movie was three hours while the book was only about 200 pages. Now take a 500 page book and make the movie follow it word-for-word. I'm personally glad they cut the movie short. They explained enough for the audience to understand.
Second, I'm typically an optimistic person, always looking for the good and pure in things. However, the romance between Bella and Edward in the book is completely unrealistic!!! He tells her that he loves her on their second date. Who does that (and actually means it, anyways)??? They are drawn to each other, which I completely get. But, as the rate their going, it's got to be lust. Tons of readers were swooning over Edward and his relationship with Bella. But I say there's no way. Fortunately, the movie reflected modern reality much more precisely than the book did. Thank goodness too, otherwise I might have gagged. Overall, though, the book was every bit as intriguing as the movie.
2005
Twilight has been the rave for teens and tweens for the last year or so. Since the release of the movie version, even more popularity has built up over the past few months. My friend, who had read the first book, and I went to see the movie (I mainly went for the viewing of the lead character Edward). Afterwards, she mentioned that the movie had differed quite a bit and had cut out many details and events. Curiosity got the best of me, so I decided to read the book.
First off, I would like to ridicule those girls' cynicism for saying that the movie was way worse because of the lack of detail. That book is freakin' long!!! There is no way a movie could have followed the book exactly. The movie would have been five hours long. The Sound of Music movie was three hours while the book was only about 200 pages. Now take a 500 page book and make the movie follow it word-for-word. I'm personally glad they cut the movie short. They explained enough for the audience to understand.
Second, I'm typically an optimistic person, always looking for the good and pure in things. However, the romance between Bella and Edward in the book is completely unrealistic!!! He tells her that he loves her on their second date. Who does that (and actually means it, anyways)??? They are drawn to each other, which I completely get. But, as the rate their going, it's got to be lust. Tons of readers were swooning over Edward and his relationship with Bella. But I say there's no way. Fortunately, the movie reflected modern reality much more precisely than the book did. Thank goodness too, otherwise I might have gagged. Overall, though, the book was every bit as intriguing as the movie.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul (VI)
Stressed is just desserts spelled backwards.
-Brain Luke Seaward
I first saw this saying at a little boutique store carved into a piece of wood meant to hang on a wall. Seeing it again in this Chicken Soup book still gave me the same feeling of almost instantaneous de-stressing. I'm not exactly sure why but thinking about stressors as nothing more than yummy desserts makes stress appear less vile and more friendly. Stress, of course, surrounds our lives daily and is necessary for our survival, but in today's times stress overwhelms the vase majority of the population. In a world that moves faster and faster each day, the number of stressors present only multiplies.
An important cure to stress is numbing some of those stressors by creating happiness elsewhere. For example, desserts always help to calm you down and provide a short time away from the rush of things. Actually, I recently read an article that talked about one way of relieving stress is to give/receive a hug or kiss everyday from someone. Even if you're just hugging your dog. Hugs and kisses are proven stress-relievers just like chocolate.
This school year in particular has been extremely stressful. With the Senior Project, college aps, scholarship competitions, AP classes, family and friends, and lacrosse, finding time for myself has become a rare thing indeed. Then there's deciding on my future while trying to maintain my present life. Wow! Keeping up with everything would be difficult for even the most organized person, let alone a seventeen-year-old girl. However, I find that leaving out a little time each day to de-stress always helps keep me sane. Anything from eating a piece of chocolate to hugging a friend to taking a leisurely bath helps tone down the intensity of life's stressors. By the end of the day, I have accomplished a few tasks and added on about twenty. But no matter. After all, "stressed is just desserts spelled backwards."
-Brain Luke Seaward
I first saw this saying at a little boutique store carved into a piece of wood meant to hang on a wall. Seeing it again in this Chicken Soup book still gave me the same feeling of almost instantaneous de-stressing. I'm not exactly sure why but thinking about stressors as nothing more than yummy desserts makes stress appear less vile and more friendly. Stress, of course, surrounds our lives daily and is necessary for our survival, but in today's times stress overwhelms the vase majority of the population. In a world that moves faster and faster each day, the number of stressors present only multiplies.
An important cure to stress is numbing some of those stressors by creating happiness elsewhere. For example, desserts always help to calm you down and provide a short time away from the rush of things. Actually, I recently read an article that talked about one way of relieving stress is to give/receive a hug or kiss everyday from someone. Even if you're just hugging your dog. Hugs and kisses are proven stress-relievers just like chocolate.
This school year in particular has been extremely stressful. With the Senior Project, college aps, scholarship competitions, AP classes, family and friends, and lacrosse, finding time for myself has become a rare thing indeed. Then there's deciding on my future while trying to maintain my present life. Wow! Keeping up with everything would be difficult for even the most organized person, let alone a seventeen-year-old girl. However, I find that leaving out a little time each day to de-stress always helps keep me sane. Anything from eating a piece of chocolate to hugging a friend to taking a leisurely bath helps tone down the intensity of life's stressors. By the end of the day, I have accomplished a few tasks and added on about twenty. But no matter. After all, "stressed is just desserts spelled backwards."
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul (V)
My company mascot is the bumblebee.
Because of its tiny wings and heavy body,
aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be
able to fly. But the bumblebee doesn't know
that, so it flies anyway.
-Mary Kay Ash
The first time I read this poem, I laughed and dismissed it as just comical. Bees shouldn't be able to fly, not with their fat, round bodies. You would think that bees would plummet to the ground the second they jump off of a flower petal.
Then, of course, I confirmed exactly why I don't often read poetry as my realization that this poem has nothing to do with bumblebees hit me. It was a comical metaphor, though. I fully appreciated Ms. Ash's humor.
To the author's point, just because one is born with limits, or is even declared by others as unworthy, does not mean that hope or courage should be forgotten. This actually reminds me of a movie (I mean educational video) that I saw in Biology called Gataca. It's a sci-fi futuristic movie about a man predetermined to fail in life. Because of his statistically bad genes, no one expected him to succeed at anything in life other than maybe living long enough to work a few years as a garbageman. Lucky for him, his stubbornness made him determined enough to chase his dreams of one day becoming an astronaut.
So, I know this sounds a little cliched, but... no one should feel limited or unworthy based on what others say. The only person who does the limiting is yourself. Like the bee, fly despite aerodynamics. Ignore the pessimism and do what you want.
Because of its tiny wings and heavy body,
aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be
able to fly. But the bumblebee doesn't know
that, so it flies anyway.
-Mary Kay Ash
The first time I read this poem, I laughed and dismissed it as just comical. Bees shouldn't be able to fly, not with their fat, round bodies. You would think that bees would plummet to the ground the second they jump off of a flower petal.
Then, of course, I confirmed exactly why I don't often read poetry as my realization that this poem has nothing to do with bumblebees hit me. It was a comical metaphor, though. I fully appreciated Ms. Ash's humor.
To the author's point, just because one is born with limits, or is even declared by others as unworthy, does not mean that hope or courage should be forgotten. This actually reminds me of a movie (I mean educational video) that I saw in Biology called Gataca. It's a sci-fi futuristic movie about a man predetermined to fail in life. Because of his statistically bad genes, no one expected him to succeed at anything in life other than maybe living long enough to work a few years as a garbageman. Lucky for him, his stubbornness made him determined enough to chase his dreams of one day becoming an astronaut.
So, I know this sounds a little cliched, but... no one should feel limited or unworthy based on what others say. The only person who does the limiting is yourself. Like the bee, fly despite aerodynamics. Ignore the pessimism and do what you want.
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