TA TALKS BACK: CALLING ALL BOYS!!!

TA Forum member JW Healy bring us: While I know there are some Twilight-transformed boys out there, most of the male species are swearing off on this timeless love story between a quiet girl and a sexy vampire. Inreality, they should be committing the book to memory. Read on for the reason why.

I have a teenage son; he just turned 17. He works hard at his studies, is a Peer Support leader, plays jazz and rock drums and is on the varsity volleyball team. Most people who meet him think he’s handsome. And, in addition to his good looks, I think he has a great personality. Despite all of these glorious attributes, one thing is missing from his life: Twilight. In fact, I’ve told him he MUST read Twilight. He looks at me like I’m nuts. “That’s a girl’s book, Mom,” he says.

But I have a very good reason for insisting that my son and all teenage boys (and their fathers, for that matter) immediately run out and buy their own copy of Twilight and read it thoroughly. In fact, they should read it over and over again. Study it like a required text. Take notes. Memorize it. No, they should not read it for its plot, character development, relationships or literary appeal. (Truth be told, Stephenie Meyer’s writing isn’t in the same category as Austen or Brontë or Eliot. But, to be fair, that wasn’t really her intent in the first place. Her intent was to tell a timeless love story and she very much succeeded at that goal.) All teenage boys (and their fathers) should read Twilight for one reason and one reason only: to study Edward Cullen. By observing and adopting Edward Cullen’s mannerisms, personality and particularly the loving and respectful way that he treats women, all boys and their dads will automatically become more likable men.

It was no surprise to me that Robert Pattinson became the “It” guy after females saw his portrayal of Edward in the movie. Pattinson’s sultry, smooth voice; his drop-dead, gorgeous good looks; his translucent skin; his shock of bronze hair; his beautiful, deep-set eyes; and his phenomenal acting skills helped the young actor create a vampire for the ages. (If you go back to the book, I defy you to picture anyone else in that role. You can’t. He has made an indelible impression as Edward and no one else in the world could ever embody this character except for Robert Pattinson. He may consider that an unfortunate career situation for himself but all of us girls thank God that he personified Edward so well.)

But, despite Pattinson’s memorable portrayal, Edward could have been played by the ugliest guy in Hollywood and girls still would have swooned. Pattinson has admitted as much in interviews. He has said that the girls are screaming for the character, not for him. Listen to Rob: he’s right!

And, do you know why we are so attracted to this “monster?” (Boys: are you still with me?) Because Edward is a remarkably loving, considerate and strong male figure whose old-fashioned romanticism is unlike any modern-day male’s more crass sense of romance. Edward is a turn-of-the-century romantic in a 21st century world – Edward slow dances while the modern-day boy pops; Edward listens to Debussy while the modern-day boy listens to Diddy. Although some women will say that Edward is nothing but a control-freak vampire, I would argue that his old-fashioned sense of romance makes him protective and loving – and these are attractive traits to any woman no matter what century she is born in.

Let’s look more closely at Edward’s love of Bella. It’s not because she’s super-hot or has a reputation for being fast and loose; it’s not because she hangs with the “in” crowd or likes doing wild things; it’s not because she has money, a nice car or expensive clothing. Although the first time Edward meets Bella, he actually wants to kill her, he also is mystified by her. After that first bout of emotional distress, he begins wondering exactly why he is so attracted to her. Slowly, as he gets to know her, he is intrigued by her until he finally can’t live without her. But, therein lies the key to his appeal – he gets to know her.

Upon reading Midnight Sun, you’ll see that he carefully observes Bella and begins understanding her character a little bit at a time. When she talks about moving to Forks to give her mom some much-needed alone time with Phil, Edward thinks of Bella as “selfless.” When he notices her driving slowly and carefully in inclement weather, he considers her “a serious person, a responsible person.” After the accident, when Carlisle examines her and she says nothing’s wrong even though Edward can see she’s in pain, he thinks she’s “brave.” These small clues to Bella’s personality give Edward a window into her soul and he falls more deeply in love with her until he is completely smitten and can’t live without her.

What woman wouldn’t want a man to be completely smitten by her? What woman wouldn’t want a man to think he can’t live without her? What woman wouldn’t want a man to consider her selfless, responsible and brave? What woman wouldn’t rather have her inner beauty be judged than her exterior looks? What woman wouldn’t want a man to love her so much that he strives to overcome his biggest conflict – a desire to kill her – and transfer that murderous desire to one of protection and ever-lasting love? What woman wouldn’t want a man to get to know her more deeply? Guys, you should understand this…every woman wants those things!

Today, in our fast-paced, high-energy, superficial, MTV-style, pop-culture world, no one takes the time to get to know – really know – the other person. Instead, we categorize people into types: She’s smart? She must be boring. She’s got a nice personality? She must be ugly. She’s a cheerleader? She must put out on the first date. She likes computers? She must be a nerd. Not only are these biased and unfair judgments, they are judgments based on nothing. People aren’t types; people are human beings with hearts, souls and brains. If we only got to see into those hearts, souls and brains, we might be happily surprised at what we find. But, who takes the time to do that these days? I’ll tell you who: Edward Cullen.

Guys, pay attention! In Twilight, Stephenie Meyer has written a primer on how to be the perfect boy friend! And, this is precisely why I want my son to read it. While not every boy can be an Edward Cullen, even if you try to have just a little bit of Edward in you, you’ll be ahead of the game. So, go today and buy a copy of Twilight (or, borrow your girl friend’s…she’ll willingly let you take it if you tell her you want to be her Edward). Read it. Commit it to memory. Then, treat your girl friend as she would like Edward to treat her. You’ll be shocked at how well your new romantic visions will be reciprocated. Your girl friend will thank you. And, you’ll thank me.

Ladies…what do you think? Wouldn’t you want an Edward Cullen to call your own?

Guys…what do you think? Don’t you want to satisfy your girl friend in the Edward Cullen Way? So, why are you still in front of your computer reading this? Get out and start reading Twilight!

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