TWILIGHT SAGA BOOK CLUB: BALANCING, CHAPTER 12
Welcome to the Twilight Saga Book Club Chapter 12 Balancing. TA Staff member Emily is back with Chapter 12. Enjoy:
In Chapter Twelve, “Balancing”, Bella and Edward begin to realize just how difficult it will be to have a relationship together. Not only do they have to deal with Edward’s thirst for Bella’s blood, but they must also deal with the opinions of their friends and family. With what seems like the world against them, Bella and Edward head out on their ‘first date’ together and what will most likely be a pivotal moment in their lives.Although he doesn’t say anything directly to Bella, Billy Black’s intense, anxious stares let her know exactly what he thinks about her involvement with the Cullens. She is tense about the possibility of him telling Charlie, but luckily, Charlie is only concerned about her anti-social behavior by not going to the school dance.
In the morning, Bella is feeling cheerful that it is Friday and only a day away from an entire day alone with Edward. She is disappointed to hear that he will be leaving school early in order to hunt and that things are just as tense for Edward at home with his siblings, except for Alice, regarding their relationship. They fear the consequences should this not work out. Understanding this fear, Bella wishes Edward a “fun” hunt as she continues trudging through the rest of the school day, only to be harassed by Mike Newton yet again.
To help quell the Cullens’ fear, Bella keeps up the pretense that she began with Mike about her plans to go to Seattle being cancelled and tells Jessica and Charlie the same. Keeping her promise to Edward to ‘be safe’, Bella does some perilous laundry to pass her time and contemplates her choices.
Saturday morning arrives and Bella is anxious about her day with Edward. As promised, Edward lets Bella drive, taking the passenger seat and giving her directions. The light mood that started with the mocking of Bella’s old truck darkens when Edward finds out that no one knows where Bella will be today. The tension softens slowly as they hike deeper and deeper into the forest towards the Meadow. Bella is awestruck by the beauty of the Meadow until she remembers a promise that he had made to her; to show her the enigma of Edward and the sun.
Characters Involved:
Bella Swan, Edward Cullen, Charlie Swan, Jacob Black, Billy Black, Alice Cullen, Mike NewtonCharacters Mentioned:
Renee Dwyer, Jessica Stanley, Angela Weber, Rosalie Hale, Emmett Cullen, Jasper HalePlaces Visited:
Charlie’s house, Edward’s Volvo, Forks High, Bella’s truck, the MeadowSignificant events
Bella is cautious about Billy Black and his suspicionsEdward and Bella deal with scrutiny by friends and family over their relationship
Edward and Bella have their first date in the Meadow
Memorable Quotes
Bella Swan: “I’ve never minded being alone – I’m too much like you.” pg 241Bella Swan: He grinned his crooked smile at me, stopping my breath and my heart. I couldn’t imagine how an angel could be any more glorious. There was nothing about him that could be improved upon. Pg 241
Edward Cullen: “If I’m going to be alone with you tomorrow, I’m going to take whatever precautions I can.” pg 243
Edward Cullen: “They don’t understand why I can’t leave you alone.” Pg 244
Edward Cullen: “I told you – you don’t see yourself clearly at all. You’re not like anyone I’ve ever known. You fascinate me.” pg 245
Bella Swan: I realized slowly that his words should frighten me. I waited for that fear to come, but all I could seem to feel was an ache for his pain. Pg 246
Bella Swan: “Safe in Forks – what a challenge.” Pg 247
Edward Cullen: “For you it is a challenge. Promise.” Pg 247
Bella Swan: “I promise to try to be safe. I’ll do the laundry tonight – that ought to be fraught with peril.” Pg 247
Bella Swan: Because there was nothing more terrifying to me, more excruciating, than the thought of turning away from him. It was an impossibility. Pg 248
Mike Newton: “Are you going to the dance with Cullen?” pg 248
Edward Cullen: Be safe. pg 249
Charlie Swan: “You’re sure easy to live with, Bella.” Pg 251
Edward Cullen: “Were you planning to make it out of Forks before nightfall?” pg 253
Bella Swan: “This truck is old enough to be your car’s grandfather – have some respect.” pg 254
Edward Cullen: “So you’re worried about the trouble it might cause me — if you don’t come home?” pg 255
Edward Cullen: “Are you so depressed by Forks that it’s made you suicidal?” pg 255
Edward Cullen: “I can be patient – if I make a great effort.” pg 257
Bella Swan: I knew he thought it was fear that upset me, and I was grateful again that I was the one person whose mind he couldn’t hear. Pg.257
Bella Swan: Edward seemed to take a deep breath, and then he stepped out into the bright glow of the midday sun. pg. 259
Questions for consideration:
Is there something you noticed about this chapter that you’d like to discuss with the book club?
What did you think about Billy Black’s reaction to Bella when visits Charlie?
Did something or someone in this chapter catch you by surprise?
Do you understand Edward’s frustration at Bella for not telling anyone about her whereabouts?
If you were Bella, would you have told Charlie where you were going? Why?
Knowing that things might “end badly” - would you spend the day with Edward?
Would you like to go hiking on a first date?
What is your favorite quote from this chapter?
Did you see any particular symbolism or little detail you have never noticed before while re-reading this Chapter?
Reply here or discuss it with us on the forum here
Each Friday we will post a new chapter. Please read along with us and jump into the discussion. Add your thoughts, questions, insights, etc….We look forward to hearing from you.
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Point: Should Bella have told her father before going to the meadow ?
In considering this question I think, that we should remember :
Bella is already an adult woman. She is significantly more mature than her mother. And provably more ‘adult” than her father.
Stephanie Meyer told us that one of the books that continually inspired her as she composed “Twilight” was “Romeo and Juliet.”
Let’s analyze the parallel scenes from these two works.
“Twilight ”
Without telling her father: Bella is on her way to the meadow, with the vampire who may be her executioner. In a few minutes she will even joke “OK no neck then” just moments after Edward nearly killed her. But she accepts the inherent risk to be with the man she loves.
“Romeo and Juliet”
Without telling her father: Juliet (age 14) Goes off against her father’s wishes, to meet and marry Romeo. The old law of “Pater Familias” (the right of a father to kill a disobedient child) has been revoked. But Juliet is well aware that her actions will lead to the end of her life, as she has known it.
I don’t think it was coincidental that neither Bella nor Juliet informed their fathers, before undertaking a potentially life altering action, to be with the men they love. Stephanie may not have consciously had Bella mimic Juliet’s actions. But, as we know, every story ever composed was written by both the author’s conscious and unconscious minds.
And remember like us, Bella knew full well that:
“These violent delights have violent end,
Which as they kiss consume.”
William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, 2.3
Thank you Emile for raising another excellent question.
Most sincerely,
Doc B
Counterpoint:
Abraham Lincoln suffered from Melancholia all of his life. He discovered one day, that he psycologicaly felt better after he finished reading a certain book. So he started reading it over and over again He later told friends that he felt confident that he had “read that book more times than any other American.” (professional actors possably exempted Abe said)
What was the book.
And how is it related to Bella?
“It wasn’t Romeo and Juliet.”