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‘BREAKING DAWN’: WHAT DOES THE COVER MEAN?

Posted June 27th, 2009 By: Team Switzerland 20 Comments »

Q. What does the cover mean?

A. Breaking Dawn’s cover is a metaphor for Bella’s progression throughout the entire saga. She began as the weakest (at least physically, when compared to vampires and werewolves) player on the board: the pawn. She ended as the strongest: the queen. In the end, it’s Bella that brings about the win for the Cullens.

- Stephenie Meyer

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Questions:

Do you like the cover of Breaking Dawn?

When first saw the cover, was the meaning obvious to you?

Do you feel that the pawn is an appropriate metaphor for the Bellaâ€™s role in the saga?

Did you expect that she would ultimately bring about the win during the battle in Breaking Dawn? What did you think about Bellaâ€™s gift?

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Lisbeth

I don’t think Bella brought all the victory to the Cullens in the end… she did have a lot to do with the win, but ALICE was the one who appeared and saved them all. Don’t you think?
JoselynMasenCullen

yes i agree
I think it was Alice who saved the Cullens in the end
misty

They would of been dead before Alice got there if Bella hadn’t shielded them. Remember Jane was trying and Alek were trying to attack from the beginning.
Midori

My interpretation of the cover was correct. I also thought Bella was the weakest link in the beginning. However, by the end of the story, as Stephenie states it she becomes the strongest, the queen. She is able to protect her entire family with her new found power. As in the beginning Edward couldn’t read her mind…it was just a sign of what was to be…her destiny.

I agree with misty…they would of been dead before Alice got to them..Bella shielded them. Jane was constantly attacking Bella from the very beginning.
Tenshioflight21

I could go either way on this one. While it makes a lot of sense, I don’t believe Bella was ever the ‘weakest’ link. Physically, maybe, but her stubbornness and refusal to stay away from Edward brought him out of his shell and helped to complete the family, I think.

Yes, I do agree that Bella’s shield was the key turning point in the battle, but if it weren’t for Alice, Bella’s shield alone would not have saved them. I like to see that as a collaborative effort, if that makes sense. Equal praise to go around.

But as far as if the explanation makes sense and if I agree… Yes, it makes sense. I don’t know if I agree. On one hand I do. On the other hand, I found Bella to have a stronger personality, so I’m not sure how I feel on that aspect.

Love the explanation, though. It’s nice to finally know what the cover actually represents.
Kayleigh

Really? I always thought that the cover ment something different, the white chess piece symbolizes Edward and the red was Jacob. I thought it showed that Edward was her final choice and she would always be with him but showing Jacob in the background showed that he would always be there in some way. Atleast thats what I thought before I read the book, I think it fits.
Irishtwilighter

Thats a cool explanation. I never realised the meaning behind the cover. As for the saviour of the day, I agree with both sides but ultimately Bella kept all safe untill Alice got there.

Actually I’m reading the book again for probably the tenth time. I just cant seem to tire of it. I think its the best in the saga & cant wait to see the movie. As I am reading it this time, knowing that they have signed on to do it, I seem to be picking out pieces that they can leave out but I cant see how they will fit it into a two hour movie. Note to the script writers….. keep it all in…we wont mind sitting through it!
Courtney Marie Cullen

Well, I never would have guessed that this was the reason behind the chess peices on the cover of Breaking Dawn. I think that is very creative, and definately very true, though Alice did help Bella “save the day”, but as you must remember, Alice told Bella: “So forgive me and try to be satisfied with being the superhero of the day.”
But also, when you think of it, the same stance applies to Edward aswell, but the queen chess peice is obviously not appropriate for Edwards side…
But, in the beginning, Edward was very weak aswell, it was extremely difficult for him to even be around Bella, let alone breathe near her, talk to her, or be her friend. Throughout the Saga, he gains better self control through the practice of the burning painful sensation of Bella’s scent. He changes so much, and then by Breaking Dawn, he needs to suffer no longer because she becomes immortal, and he is no longer in fear of slipping up, and hurting her.
All in all, I think that was a very creative choice for a book cover, with a great meaning behind it.
http://twilightersanonymous.com Cassie

I had no clue what the cover was about. thanks for sharing!
Alli

i think the chess pieces does a great job of describing bellas progression. at first, i thought it was something different, but i knew there was something i was missing. now, i fully understand what the cover means, and i think it makes perfect sence.
claire

you forgot the colors of the chess pieces. The red pawn represents her human self, now in the background as she has given up on that life. The white queen represents her vampire, blood-less new life. Just felt like adding that.
#1twilighter08

i always thought that the pawn might have been Renesmee(after reading the book)and that the queen might have been Bella, but it makes much more sense now!

i have to agree with both-alice did save them, but bella did keep it from edward the whole time and therefore from aro and she also did protect them when it came to the battle and wen jane and alec were attacking them.
Jessica

i thought the covers to the series were just for the color contrast with the black background – twilight had the red apple, white hands, and black background, new moon had a red-and-white ruffled tulip and black background, eclipse had the red ribbon and black background, and breaking dawn had the red and white chess pieces and board and black background. bella, being the main character in the book, was obviously going to be the hero of the story in my mind.
http://twilightersanonymous.com/twilight-series-fun-facts-breaking-dawn-book-what-does-the-cover-mean.html#comments EmmettCullen4Eva

Hey, I like all the ideas of what every one thinks.
its really creative to try and guess what the meaning of books mean.
I got the meaning sort of rite I didnt guess it fully though me and my friend worked it out together.

I noe the comment was prob posted ages ago… but I have to comment on what Courtney Marie Cullen said… If ytou think about it why would one of the covers represent anything to do with Edward… I mean just considering that the whole series is all about Bella… so I jus assumed that all the covers had to do with her…
Sheryce

I did understand the cover of Breaking Dawn as soon as I looked at it. I think that the pawn was a perfect description of Bella a her journey into Edward’s world begins. As I read Breaking Dawn I did see were it was headed as far as Bella gift was concerned and loved it the strength that emerged from her was awesome. I feel that the chess piece (the Queen) representing Bella leave us wondering as a hint towards a fifth book Bella Queen And Edward King as they take down the Volturi and begin a new royal line. You have to admit it would make for an interesting read with their daughter at their side would love to read that hope Stephanie think about that as a concept.
cari

I liked the meaning behind the cover and i think it is the best choice for the cover of breaking dawn but at first (because someone told me about nessy be4 i read the book) i thought that the pawn was bella and the queen was nessy and it meant that nessi was stronger that bella but bella still prospered and didn’t die giving birth.I also like kayleigh’s response more.It would of made better sense in Eclipse though.

In the end I think that everyone helped save everyone cuz Emmett had the idea of witnesses,The wolf pack scared Caius at first,Bella had the shield,nessy won over the witnesses to help,and Alice found the kid.Also,alice (with her gift) helped them know the volturi were coming.

Lastly,I think Breaking Dawn is AWESOME but, i want the twilight saga to continue.The only thing i would change is Irina NOT dying though she did cause the WHOLE problem at the end.
TwEEkY

let me first start by saying that Breaking Dawn is the ****!

i love that book to death! i do think that, without Bellas shield, every cullen in that clearing would’ve been blind and deaf and burning thanks to jane and alec! yall know that is true so…yea. but i also think that aro wasnt really sure what verdict he was gonna decide on until alice showed up with nahuel and proved that someone like renesmee could survive with them and also keep their secret. and the werewolves scared the crap out of caius! lol!
lowela

well,for me breaking dawn means you are craving for more.just like fetus inside her body its craving for blood.that’s why bella put into danger.
http://www.naturalk9supplies.com/Dog-Food/merrick-before-grain-tripe-can.aspx Merrick Before Grain Tripe

I just want to say simply… great work.I never expected that she could win.
Casd

thanks for the answer(: