WHAT DOES THE TITLE ‘NEW MOON’ REFER TO?

Posted February 7th, 2009 By: Team Switzerland 16 Comments »

Q. What does the title refer to? Is it a werewolf reference?

A. Nope. The term “new moon” refers to the phase of the moon opposite a full moon. It is when the sun is on the opposite side of the moon from us and thus the bright side of the moon is not visible from earth. This is the darkest kind of night. New Moon is the darkest period of Bella’s life.

-Stephenie Meyer

To read more, click here.

Questions:

What do you think about Stephenieâ€™s response? Do you like the title? Do you feel that Stephenie chose a good analogy for this dark period in Bellaâ€™s life?

Did you ever consider that the title New Moon might refer to the werewolves?

Before reading New Moon, were you aware of the term â€œnew moonâ€ and its meaning?

TA has done some research on new moons and what they are believed to represent. Below is an excerpt from The Astrology Examiner:

Astrologically, new moons and full moons are both auspicious. Western astrology favors new moons as a time for new projects related to the sign where the moon occurs. Vedic astrology favors full moons as a time for rituals and ceremonies marking new phases of life, from the right time to begin feeding new food to baby to weddings and housewarmings.

To read more, click here.

Questions:

Do you like the articleâ€™s astrological analysis on new moons?

What do you think about the reference to the werewolves?

Do you think that Stephenie meant to have a double meaning for the title?

How do you think the filmmakers will use the title in New Moon the movie? Do you think moviegoers will infer that it relates to the werewolves?

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shantal

wow… that makes perfect sense…CAN’T WAIT FOR THE MOVIE!!!!!!
jdhuston

That makes so much more sense! I thought it was a werewolf thing…. boy I was wrong. I gave thought to the changes that Bella experienced too but not to the “it was her darkest time”. (Although I think it was for her and the readers!)
Brttnyann

Mmmm Deffinately a good response. I figured this is what it ment i knew what a new moon was long before the book. i think this is a perfect analogy and goes along so well with the twilight. title. :]
lulu

i think stephenie chose the perfect name for the book. it was definitely the darkest part of her life.
nicki

i always thought new moon referred to the quote “my life without you was like a moonless night” that edward tells bella after he comes back. but either way i think thats the perfect title for the book!
RachelCullen

I always thought that it was a good title for the book and properly know the reason behind it now makes me like it even more.
can’t wait till the movie! XD
AllisCullen

I always kinda figured the meaning of New Moon related to the darkness Bella feels, when Edward leaves.

Am I remembering correctly that there was a NEW MOON the night that he LEFT?!

Damn, gotta read the books AGAIN!!! Lol
Autumn

AllisCullen:

Yes, there was a new moon the night Edward left Bella.
aida.m.go.go

I think it’s genius! Not only that, but eclipses occur on a new moon. Eclipse symbolizing how Bella has to choose between Jake and Edward.
If Edward hadn’t left, there would be no New Moon, aka Bella’s darkest time, then there wouldn’t be doubts crossing Bella’s mind, no eclipse either. It would have gone straight to Breaking Dawn or more like Forever Dawn. But he did, so there is an New Moon, later causing the Eclipse. I Hope this makes sense!!!!
Courtney

Yeah that does make sense…I like it. and I AM SO FREAKING EXCITED ABOUT THE MOVIE!!!!!! HAHA
rochelle

whoops, commented on the wrong page. anyway, yes…i did know what a new moon was and i did relate it to being a dark period in bella’s life (and edward’s, as we find out later when he gives her his blackest blashemy ‘speech’). i think it, and all the titles, are very aptly named.
Marianne

I knew that “New Moon” did not refer to werewolves as it is mentioned in the book – as the title of each book, Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn, is mentioned/referred to somewhere in the respective book.

I am counting the days (well almost) until New Moon hits the theaters!
Allison

Definately the perfect title for the book. Bella was definately going through a dark period in her life during this book. Oh the trials and tribulations of true love.
Molly

It’s actually new moon because all the books are in the order of the night time:

1. Twilight- the moon appears
2. New moon- The type
3. Eclipse (pretty self explanitary)
4. Breaking Dawn- The morining

I think.xxx
LexiconAficionado

I loved her explanation. Molly’s observation is also astute. Stephenie probably played with the words that way. Too wicked! She’s truly an enchantress!
my_epiphany

i dont have any idea that new moon is supposed to be the darkest time, all i know is that it’s the darkest 7 months of bella’s life… now i know its connected, i supposed before it’s connected with jacob’s transformation to a werewolf… now jacob is a nonsence character, lol i hope nobody gets mad… peace…