Twilight the Movie

The sight outside the window is a lovely winter scene with a blanket of snow on the ground and on rooftops. Trees are covered in white and after two days of snow the sky is clear—temperature drops to the teens.

Some time ago newscasters wondered why there was such a huge following of the Twilight series,four books written by Stephanie Meyer with the first book making its appearance in 2005. After the fourth book came out and with the announcement of a movie, Alanna encouraged me to read the books,perhaps I should qualify that with "annoyingly." I relented only because the series was done and I wouldn't be left to wonder what would happen next.

The theme that is most prevalent is the message that people who find themselves in circumstances beyond their control can find ways to overcome the weaknesses they are faced with and not give in to the temptations or the natural tendencies of their condition. Simply stated, we can rise above the weaknesses of human nature and difficult conditions. What we learn from the Cullen family is that if there is a desire, or a will, there is a way to overcome and be successful. Each family member had to accept who they had become—a powerful and deadly immortal who, without restraint, could wreak havoc on an unsuspecting populace. With an understanding of who the once were, becoming a vampire was an ugly situation and they each decided not to become a slave to the nature of their kind of immortality. Staying faithful to the goodness they developed as humans, they desired to continue in that development by finding alternatives to satisfy their appetites, and in some instances, to delay satisfaction to protect the innocent.

The magnetism of Edward is that he accepts what he can do to Bella and satisfy his desires, yet he abandons that ability because he loves her and desires that she experience life in all the ways that he cannot. He also desires that she not experience the hardship and loneliness of being a vampire. Edward is the epitome of a gentleman—one who cares for and defends the honor and virtue of women, even to the denial of ones own passions. A characteristic not easily found in many young men or suitors. Edward even encourages Bella to control her desires because if he is tempted beyond his ability to control himself, the result is deadly.

The series is riddled with virtues from a moral compass that is difficult to maintain, yet we find success in a family of people with very dangerous abilities. They use the abilities to help others. They seek to treat humans with the respect and dignity they deserve. We follow the examples of Carlisle and Esme who are without guile. Carlisle is able to be around humans without difficulty because he is so practiced in his control that it has become his nature.

Perhaps the idea of a controlled and unselfish vampire didn't draw a lot of true vampire followers. I thought the idea for the story was brilliant and hope that one will read the books and find all those hidden virtues that may not be so evident to the young reader as it can be for the older one. Moreover, find joy in this family of socially ostracized beings and rejoice in their goodness and know that we can become good people if we so desire.
We can be better than who we are. We have seen such advances made by many in our community, and even in our own families. We can realize our goals by accepting who we are and realize that with a desire to become and the determination to work hard we can be successful.