I understand that Stephenie Meyer's writing is not everyone's cup of tea. Even though it saddens me that so many fans of the sci-fi/fantasy/horror genre cut themselves off from enjoying her work for the sake of following a bandwagon of scorn... in the context of choosing from among the many offerings of pop culture, I'm content to let it be.
But in the arena of feminist literary criticism, the persistent misreading of the "Twilight" text (both the books and the films) is striking me as simply irresponsible. Not only from a literary standpoint, but also, even more so, from a feminist one. Frankly, it's not just the gun- and stake-toting butt-kickers that feminism needs to reach right now -- it's the gentle, if moody, introverts who need to know that they can be feminists too. And the "Twilight" bashing in feminist circles can only serve to drive them away from the empowerment they desperately need.
Personally, I love the "Buffy vs. Edward: Twilight Remixed" mashup by Jonathan McIntosh. It's thought-provoking, hilarious at times, and generally well-done. Standing alone, McIntosh's metaphor could be a legitimate force in the battle to win the hearts of girls and women to the task of standing up for themselves and each other. But here's the thing: rather than admit the extent to which the "Twilight" clips are taken out of context, McIntosh goes on in his commentary to berate Meyer's saga as employing "sexist gender roles and patriarchal Hollywood themes" -- a foil for the "pro-feminist," girl-power magnificence that is Buffy.
This is a problem. You see, when you take someone with a different perspective and "other" them, making them into an opponent, and then proceed to take their views out of context to bolster your own claims by comparison, you have lost intellectual integrity. And you have done to your opponent what patriarchalists do to feminists all the time.
The usual feminist charges against "Twilight" rest on a fundamental misunderstanding of the central conflict. "Remix" overemphasizes the "stalker" behavior of Edward and makes it look like he is trying to trap his love interest. But in the original film, Bella is not asking him, "Why won't you leave me alone?" She's asking, "Why are you avoiding me? Why do you hate me?" And his answer is basically, "I don't hate you, but I am avoiding you, because I don't want to hurt you." Edward is not a selfish boyfriend. He's a SUPERNATURAL CREATURE, remember?
This is not a story about male dominance and female submission, man vs. woman. It is a tale of supernatural power and human strength, monster vs. person within the same character, more obviously for Edward the vampire, but also more subtly for Bella the wannabe vampire. She wants to be invulnerable, but there is a risk to her soul that goes along with immortality (as the book sets up the dilemma). Not only theologically, as Edward fears (mostly based on ignorance). But also in very practical ramifications for Bella's everyday life: what would she be like if she crossed over? Would she be strong enough to set aside her predatory instincts as top-of-the-food-chain, and protect the humans as the Cullens do? Or would she be overcome by the rage of the newborn, posing a threat even to the humans she loves?
It is Bella's feminine desire that is at the heart of the saga. She is not a super-woman who follows the traditional Hollywood narrative (hero sets goal, hero pursues goal, hero achieves or fails to achieve goal). This is what makes her so compelling: Bella not only subverts patriarchy (which says her desires don't matter), but also the brand of feminism that tells her that in order to be taken seriously as a woman, she has to behave like a stereotypical macho-man. Bella actually goes through a period of depression in "New Moon" -- not my favorite book of the series, and the film version I found excruciating to watch. Yet I admire Chris Weitz, the male director, for staying true to Meyer's vision (despite the tremendous amount of undeserved flack I am sure he is getting). Bella doesn't always make the right choices (that is sort of the point of a story that employs elements of the cautionary tale!) But she always remains true to herself. She remains Bella. As a budding feminist, I embrace Bella as a different kind of heroine. Yes, many starry-eyed devotees of the actors may miss many of the important thematic points of "Twilight." But the grownups who care about these fans need to do better.
It's time to get off the soapbox and recognize that feminism has a potential ally, a strong ally, in Stephenie Meyer... if not a sycophant.
"Buffy vs. Edward: Twilight Remixed," by Jonathan McIntosh, may be watched at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZwM3GvaTRM
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