Guest Blogger: Row Miers
As part of the recent “Twilight Saga” journey that I and a number of my friends have embarked on, a topic that has been hotly debated is which team we are on: Team Edward or Team Jacob? Which guy is Bella Swan best suited to?
On the one hand there’s the vampire Edward Cullen, with his smouldering good looks, super human strength, excessive wealth, intelligence, good manners and old fashioned values and his unfathomable love, commitment and protectiveness of his soul mate Bella Swan. Then there’s the alternative, the werewolf Jacob Black, with his powerful and muscular physique, selfless courage, fun-loving disposition, and his enduring patience and loyalty towards Bella.
The argument could go on. A further question that I feel is also up for discussion is, what has Team Bella got going for it? From the books it clear that she has many good qualities: she is generally thought of as being quite physically attractive; she seems to always do her homework; she keeps on top of the cooking and cleaning around the house; she’s keenly aware of caring for the needs of her mother and father and showing due respect to them; she doesn’t speed; and she’s fun and adventurous.
Despite these good qualities I feel they are outweighed by Bella’s many vices: she’s a bad friend and uses people to deal with her own issues without regard to their needs; she is ruled by her impulses and whimsical desires; she cannot be trusted to keep her word; she’s a klutz and a danger magnet; she is indecisive and leads both Jacob and Edward on; and she is unfaithful to Edward by kissing Jacob when she is engaged to Edward.
Back onto the original topic though, in summary of the potential suitors vying for Bella’s affections I’ve got these conclusions: Edward’s love for Bella is truly selfless where for no other reason than he loves her, he commits to always love her, how can you compete with true love!!! (for those readers who love the bible I think here is a nice little parallel here to God’s love for his people throughout salvation history, Deuteronomy 7:7); On Jacob’s side, in considering Bella’s circumstances, Jacob is aware that he is better placed to care for Bella’s human needs in ways that Edward never could without requiring Bella to sacrifice her humanity.
Team Edward or Team Jacob? In the end both guys have a lot going for them such that the only objective conclusion I can draw is that I’m definitely not for Team Bella. My advice then to any young vampires or werewolves looking for a potential soul mate, if you some across a Bella Swan, run a mile.
Incidentally I’m a Team Edward fan!!!
Stay tuned for more posts from Row. (See a previous series from Row here…)
i myself am a bit of a twihard and I’m not afraid to admit it. i agree with you row. I find myself continuously aggravated by bella’s whimsical desires and trust or lack there of. Plus the fact that she is so fickle!
the fact of the matter remains i am an edward fan due to his loyalty, selflessness, the fact that is essence edward only “lives” for bella. I think that’s why ppl-mainly girls love the twilight saga. there aren’t that many guys like edward; or for that matter many like jacob either. the ideology of both jacob and edward are quiet fascinating, just cuz the age mean is so vast! just the old school one and only love is a really heart softener :)
I think the sad things with these books is they give young women an all consuming and unrealistic idea of men/future suitors!
Let me explain, I would never want to encourage a young woman to get involved with someone who only “lives” for them. Male/Female relationships are much more significant than that (Ephesians 5). If we were to be totally consumed by our boyfirend/husband we would neglect those other people around us…friends, family and strangers. Our time, energy and money would all be wrapped up in our boyfriend/husband. I would hate to live in a community where thie type of obsession is the norm.
Riley it is interesting that you say ‘there aren’t that many guys like edward’ because I would say there is no one like Edward. Vampires don’t exist!!! But also (now I haven’t read the books, I stopped half way through the first one because it was so painful!- so sorry if I have misunderstood his character) guys with that extreme selflessness is not realistic either. All humanity is selfish with the exception of one man.
One man who willingly died for the selfishness of all people. He is the guy that women can trust and depend upon. He is the one who is truly selfless and who will never disappoint. And he is REAL!!!!!