Twilight series goes beyond a basic, teenage love story
The books and movies allow followers to enjoy fun escapism
“And so the lion fell in love with the lamb.”
Twilight’s most-quoted line is almost more recognizable than Dickens’s, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”
The Twilight series portrays frail but headstrong (albeit socially stupid) Bella Swan and her sparkly vampire boyfriend Edward Cullen.
Such a plot has made many girls, and possibly a few guys, swoon and hit the floor.
Ginger Buchanan is one of them. After reviving, the 19-year-old UNC Asheville student said, “I love Twilight. It’s entertaining because it doesn’t have to be.”
The history, psychology and education student said the best part about it is the characters’ relationships.
“They’re so good to read and they give you completely unrealistic ideas about life. It’s great,” the Hayesville native said.
Although scarily true for some over-obsessed individuals, the stories can rejuvenate long-dormant feelings of optimism in a dismal and pathetic young-adult world.
With mundane assignments and bizarre friends, anybody feeling the least bit socially ostracized may find comfort in these tweeny books.
Almost better than chocolate, and that is a very heavy almost, they do not even have calories.
But the books provide more than just comfort. They are entertaining, in the sense that maybe it is possible for the unknown to exist in the neighborhood.
It captures the world in an entirely new perspective, and allows readers to interpret different scenarios with new imagination.
Good vampires, protecting the townspeople, makes a human-interest story at its very best, complete with love triangles, coming-of-age story and family drama.
Buchanan votes Team Edward in the books.
Although a gentleman with romantic ideals, Edward Cullen is not perfect. It is justifiable to resist the idea of a boy scaling the window and watching you sleep.
On the other hand, does anybody Facebook creep? How about do a drive-by and attempt to run into someone?
When it comes to love, nobody does the right thing.
However, the intentions are good and that is where the fascination is.
There is just something so appealing about an imperfect romance.
Pick up any Harlequin Romance novel off the shelf and flip to page 50 or 100, and, if it is long enough, 150. Guaranteed, the page will be either the middle of wild sex, or foreplay.
Real romance is not formulated. Nothing against the super sexy pseudo-novels, but it is easier to grow fonder of characters with real personalities.
It is imperfect and strange and, just like the book allure, you cannot figure out exactly why you need it so much.
UNCA student Sam Iglesias introduced her mother, Elsa Iglesias, to the series, who said she read all four in only a week.
“It’s just entertainment, you don’t have to think too much,” said the Asheville mom of three. “It’s like eating potato chips. After a while you are just eating them because you enjoy the taste, not necessarily because you are hungry.”
This is probably the best description of the series.
Another popular term used to describe the addictive and bad-for-your-intellect nature of the books is “brain crack.”
Historically portrayed as dark, mysterious and sexual, these untraditional, friendly and virgin vampires take away the fear of the unknown and peak your curiosity.
Iglesias said the new twist on an old idea revived the vampire story, especially having good versus bad vampires.
“It is natural in storytelling, you always want to root for the good guys,” the TC Roberson math teacher said.
She compared the Cullens to the fictional Godfather characters.
“We root for the Corleones because the other guys are really bad. In this new vampire world, the Cullens help people, they want to be a family, they fall in love, (and) they are just like you and me, except they need blood to survive. That is classic storytelling right there.”
For anybody who watched the first movie and ran for the hills, the second is a lot better. Legitimate acting, more developed (physically and emotionally) characters and sex appeal grace the second installment, New Moon.
Iglesias said she appreciated the fact that the movies stayed close to the books. Just like in the Harry Potter series, the writers changed some things to make space, but are mostly on target. Again, with the potato chip analogy, logically they should be bad, but they are so addictive.
True to stereotype, more women than men are reading the series and giggling about the movies.
However, guys are starting to jump on the bandwagon as well, even if it is because their girlfriends drag them.
If men are really desperate, they should try a midnight premiere of the series at the movies.
In a packed Biltmore Grande theater, there were only eleven men. Just try to get creative with your pick-up lines. Do not forget you are competing with a Romeo-quoting vampire and an extremely muscled and sensitive werewolf.
Ben Kimzey, a self-proclaimed romantic at heart, said he appreciates the emotional nature of the stories.
“I like it because it helps you connect with girls,” the business management student said.
Kimzey, a sophomore, said he is a monogamist and enjoys being able to bond with his girlfriend and close female friends.
Lesson learned: reading Twilight will not make your brain mush and drip out of your ear. It will not ruin you, nor will it ruin your chances of dating.
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