Meyer’s ‘Twilight’ series may be on to something
Erica Tiffany
Stephanie Meyer’s “Twilight” series has created a sub-culture of vampire-loving readers. The Twilight series is comprised of four books. Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn; all best-sellers.
Twilight is a book about a 17-year-old girl named Bella Swan who quickly falls into a can’t-live-without-you love with a vampire named Edward Cullen.
It is hard not to coincidingly fall in love with Edward within the turning of the first few pages because Edward is portrayed as nothing less than the perfect man. He is selfless, talented, incredibly powerful, beyond rich, gorgeous, and I think most importantly, he is chivalrous.
There are countless blogs on the web with all ages of women discussing the series and why they idolize Edward. Twilight fan bumper stickers are pasted all over girls’ facebooks, with sayings like “Only a vampire can love you forever,” “I have OCD (Obsessive Cullen Disorder),” and “I was normal, until I read Twilight.”
The popularity of the series can be described as nothing less than a phenomenon.
While I am a fan of the Twilight series myself, I can tell the difference between fiction and reality.
This perfect man that Edward embodies simply does not exist.
But that doesn’t stop many from wishing the line between fiction and reality was a little more blurred.
While the search to find a perfect man is a lost cause, I do think Stephanie Meyer is onto something.
To me, Edward’s most alluring characteristic is his old-fashioned nature.
He is the ultimate gentleman.
Since he is immortal, he lived in the time of true gentlemen and ladies.
And though he has adapted and changed with the times, he never let his merits fade. He is courteous, generous, honest, loyal, courageous, respectful and polite.
In essence, his demeanor is timeless.
I’m not saying that chivalry is dead in our day and age, but I will say from experience that it is rare.
Even little things like opening my car door, carrying my books, or standing when I enter the room catch my attention and set a guy apart from the rest.
And by the immense popularity of the Twilight series, I don’t think I am the only one who values a little chivalry.
Twilight re-introduced the concept to young readers, and is beginning to convince ladies everywhere not to settle for anything less.
While vampires do not exist, I refuse to believe that chivalry is make-believe as well.
So I say, cautiously leave the world of fiction behind, but keep Edward in mind when you give someone a chance.
They may surprise and impress you with their mannerly ways.
There are still a few gentlemen out there.
