One of the major issues which inspires great debates about Twilight is the issue of Edward denying Bella access to Jacob.
To me, there is not enough of this to make an issue. Edward stops Bella from seeing Jacob a total of two times from what I can tell. (when he takes apart her engine and when he has Alice 'kidnap' her). And during the second times it happens, he comes to the realization that he is being judgemental and unfair. He apologizes and compromises with Bella to come to a decision that satisfies both of them (that he gets to drive her to the border, etc).
Furthermore, I feel that Bella was a bit at fault for Edward not understanding sooner. She never sits him down and explains to him why Jacob is not dangerous to her (that he shows control around her). She could have drawn parallels between the two of them, but she only defiantly states that she wants to see Jacob, that it's safe, and that he's being unreasonable.
What do you think?
Yes, this is a big bone of contention for people who believe Edward is abusive and controlling. This is one of the problems with "If your real-life boyfriend did this..." scenarios, because, as far as I know, my real-life boyfriend wouldn't have been a 100-year-old vampire, and my best friend wouldn't have been a werewolf!! :)
ReplyDeleteI think that Edward's overly protective response makes perfect sense given his age and experience. He was reared in a time when men were protective of women and were expected to take control in dangerous situations. Of course his first instinct would be to "forbid" Bella from seeing Jacob! We only have to hear the story of Emily to know that there was good reason for Edward's concern.
The fact that Jacob was continually inappropriate and manipulative didn't improve the case, either.
However, Edward did give in once he thought about it. He admitted he was wrong. I find that admirable.
I personally find it admirable that Edward didn't attack Jacob when he kissed Bella against her will. The fact that she broke her hand trying to get him off of her really riled me, so I was really surprised at Edward's composure.
ReplyDeleteI think the scene with the three of them in the tent is one of the best-written scenes I've read in a long time. The tension between Edward and Jacob is so palpable.
ReplyDeleteMy only complaint about the broken-hand episode was Charlie's reaction. I know he clarified it later, but him laughing and saying, "Good for you" to Jacob really seemed out of character, to me. I loved Edward's reaction, though. It really showed his maturity and restraint.
I have to say I was disappointed in Bella's lack of anger at Jacob after his "I'll kill myself unless you kiss me" fake-out. That was really the only time in the whole series that I got disgusted with Bella's self-blame.
That whole scene had me outrage - her father's unconcern, Jacob's jovial mood about what he had just done. If I were Bella and I had just been assaulted like that and my father said, "Good for you!" to the man who had done it, I think I would have cried right there. I'm glad she had Edward to go to for support.
ReplyDeleteAnd his reaction made that part of the book so much better. He was angry, yet composed. He said all the right things, made it clear that it was up to bella who kisses her and that he would make sure she was never assaulted like that again.
That should have been close to what Charlie's reaction had been.
Jacob's arrogance throughout Eclipse really turned me against him. However, Edward and Bella's interaction in that scene really illustrate why their relationship is so strong.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how her first reaction was to call him to come pick her up - she needed his support and he was right there for her to whisk her away from two men who were supposed to support and care for her who'd made her home an unsafe place for her to be at that time.
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