I have been reading Breaking Dawn (yes, again…) and it has me thinking of the criticism that the character of Bella is an empty shell, or a passive participant, and that Stephenie Meyer wrote her so that the reader could simply project herself into the role. Having read the Saga a few times over, I am just not buying it. It’s true that a lot of the events in the books are Edward and Jacob trying to decide Bella’s fate. I shall emphasize the word “trying”. Both men are woefully unprepared for the effect that she has on them, and they both make the mistake of trying to impose their will on her, ostensibly in efforts to “protect” her, but I think that they are acting in their own best interests as well; Bella’s well-being is intricately linked with their own.
Further, Bella is h
aving none of it. This is especially so in Breaking Dawn, the last book in the series, when Bella’s character is older and more developed…because her character changes and grows more into herself…like a real person does, like a well-developed character would. Edward tries to second guess her after their honeymoon night, and she gets pissed off, in one of the funnier moments in the Saga; “You are killing my buzz, Edward” makes me laugh every time. I really hope that part is in the movie. If Edward would stop thinking he’s so damn smart and listen to Bella, he would save himself a lot of heartache…but then the Saga would have been much shorter, wouldn’t it? And he does slowly come around to her way of thinking, because, you know, his *character develops* (sigh. Are these critics reading the same book I am reading?). She gets pregnant (spoiler? well, not for the Twilighters crowd…), and if she were simply passive, she would have allowed Carlisle to perform the abortion that he deems medically necessary. But she doesn’t. She recruits Rosalie, and despite protestations from all sides, she decides what is right for her and for her body. It is, again and again, her choice. Always. There is a large part of Breaking Dawn that is not told from Bella’s point of view, and even so, it is clear that she has made her decision. She knows what is going on inside her.
Slightly off topic, but related: I know a lot of the Twilight community is young, but Stephenie has three kids, and I have one, and I have been pregnant, and I know that it’s fairly…uncomfortable. Amazing, beautiful, and powerful, but, well, weird. So while it is sweet that Edward and Jacob and the vamps are seriously freaked out, I love how Bella is all “I got this” about it. Obviously Bella’s pregnancy is extreme, but some pretty weird things happen even with normal babies. I was always amazed when I would call the doctor to say, “Wow, this really hurts,” and they would say, “Yep. It does! Have a nice day!” So, for me, her serenity and total assurance and willingness to do what she has to for her and Edward’s baby makes a lot of sense to me. (side note to the side note: there are things to discuss about choice, and young motherhood, and all of that, but this is not the place nor is it the focus of this article.)
I am currently on the last book of the Hunger Games series, which I am really enjoying. However, I just don’t have a sense of the characters, of who they are. I can’t relate to them, and I don’t care about them in the way I care about everyone in the Saga. It might have something to do with me not 
having to hunt for my own food, or overthrow a totalitarian government in a dystopian future. But then, I am, sadly, not at present being wooed by a vampire or a werewolf, either, and I still find the Twilight characters relate-able. I think, one time, some reviewer out there said that Bella is an empty character that the reader can project themselves onto, and people who aren’t into the fandom just cling to that idea. Again, I am not buying it, and if I hear it again, I will break my hand punching someone’s face.
I totally agree with you. People think Bella is an empty character and that is not true. I also agree with Sia. Bella can be annoying and naive and makes some very not good choices but i don't think that we should judge her.
Bella isn't perfect. But perfect characters are boring. Like Sia said, we all make mistakes, and that is why she is relatable. Katniss is cool and all, but I really don't get a sense of who she is.
Thanks for commenting! <3
As a character, I think Bella has learned to cooperate with those around her; to go with the flow, as they say. She's Switzerland. Moving around, going back and forth between parents, having a ditzy mom, she's learned to take things in stride- however, that doesn't mean that she's a passive participant in her life. I think she tries to smooth most situations over, but truly stands up for herself and her opinion when crucial.
cont…
I think she decides her fate much more often than people give her credit for; in Twilight; choosing to pursue a relationship with Edward and the rest of the Cullens, evading Alice and Jasper, meeting James at the ballet studio knowing what her fate will be; in New Moon: choosing to move on with life after Edward leaves, jumping off the cliff in LaPush, choosing to go to Volterra with Alice to save him, choosing to forgive him and admit to herself that he does love her; in Eclipse: choosing to help Edward and Seth in their battle with Victoria- which turns the tides and really starts to make her and Edward more equal; in Breaking Dawn, Bella chooses to marry Edward and, as you've cited, chooses to have her baby despite knowing what could happen, she chooses to be at the stand-off with the Volturi to be with Edward… frankly, none of these sound like passive decisions to me!
Hey Guys!!!!! I agree Totally.Bella is her own person.She makes her choices,she didn't need any help.Yea there are times she seems naive,but lets face it we all have at one time or another….I have never read a book twice in my 50 some years, but i have read all 4 books 4 times…They are that GOOD!!!!!!!! Well that's my 2 cents worth!!!Go Bella
Vicky, Linda…stop making me love you. <3
But yeah, I am all about BookBella. MovieBella is…well she has her moments, but BookBella is better.
I am so relieved. Someone else has read the books 4 times too. I thought I was a little obsessive to have done that, but am learning when it comes to Twilight, it's the norm to read them over and over. I don't usually read a book twice either in my 60 plus years. Twilight is the exception. These books are timeless and ageless. Enjoyed your post. Yes, Bella is a much stronger young woman than critics realize.
–Mary
Excellent!! Please forward thiss to Bill Condon, Melissa Rosenberg, and Summit Entertainment so that can stop butchering Bella's story by trying to turn her into something that Stephenie Meyer didn't write.
Yeah…100% agree. In the movie, it feels like Bella is weak. That she needs Edward and Jacob to be brave.It feels wrong.
First off, I just want to say that I check this site daily, and I love when you blog! You're thoughts are always well-stated & clear (and your spelling & grammar are correct
). I enjoy reading them, and generally agree with you!
Case in point, this one: Bella is so far from passive, it's not even funny. She has a mind of her own and uses it regularly! Scarlett71177 – you are totally correct as well!! My only addition to the argument would be that when and IF she seems to be passive towards Edward or Jacob, well, sometimes you just don't want to rock the boat, ya know? I know I sometimes go along with DH's wants just to keep him happy, even if it's not something I really want to do. That, in itself, while appearing passive, is quite definitely a desicion, albeit one to go with the flow.
Thanks for a great read, yet again
Aww. *blush*
I know some people cite Bella's allowing Edward to drive most of the time as a sign of her passivity, and, you know…I let my man drive all the time. I just don't really like to drive, and he does, so…like you said, you just make compromises in relationships. It's not being passive, it's making room for another person in your life.
And, yeah, I am a bit of a grammar nerd. I used to get so excited when we had spelling tests in school! (yep. I was That Girl)
I agree with you! Bella meets Edward and as he sweeps her off her feet, she has to take the time to grow into an Adult while she continues to let him know that she loves him and wants to be with him forever. ( A point that he finally gets!) Much like most men in life, you can show and tell all you want and they stilldo not get it, until a little special something happens and thenit is "BAM" "You mean you love me?".. LOL In Bella's case it will take Edward hearing the facts from "Renesme" before she is born to understand. I believe Bella is a wonderful character and very realistic to a young woman growing into an Adult.
Good comments all around. Please go back to the first book of Hunger Games and re-read it looking for Peeta and looking for Gale. Then re-read Catching Fire looking for Peeta, and Katniss. Then re-read Mockingjay, looking for Gale. It makes a huge difference. I paid absolutely no attention to Peeta, just like I didn't even read the parts about Jacob in the Twilight Series. But after a re-read of the whole Hunger Games series, I get it, and I love it! Very well written, but it takes two reads.
oh god…nuff said…
I love Hunger Games, but I LOVE TWILIGHT more. They're both really good books. I think that some of us can relate to Katniss character, because I am the eldest in our family and I'm protective with my siblings like Katniss is with Prim, The one thing that I didn't like about Hunger Games, was that the books were in MY opinion FAST PACED. I have a lot of questions in my minds that unfortunately wasn't answered in the last book. And I guess a little history of the characters would have been great.
BACK TO TWILIGHT, Thank YOU for posting this. I have heard from a LOT of people that BELLA IS A WEAKLING. This article says it all.Bella is strong,not physically (until the last book) but emotionally as well.
Yes! I totally agree that Bella is a non-passive character. I've never been in that situation, but but I think some of the situations she says YES to, (even seemingly normall things like meeting your boyfriends' family) would be pretty insane to deal with for the average person, and what does she do? She just deals with it, because behind every decision she stands her ground and knows what she wants–which is Edward. To me that says she is a very strong person who stands her ground and doesn't back down–and she lives with the concequences time and time again (aka the James incident, standing up to creepy Aro, etc.).
Agreed!
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ohmyfeathers-1901.deviantArt.com
Yes I completely agree. Bella has matured noticeably throughout the series. She starts out as an average teen and matures into a loving wife and a fantastic mother.
I agree completly. I can' wait to see breaking dawn.I hope that they show how good of a mother she is..
I hope so too!
Team Bella! She is such a strong beautiful woman!!!
Yes, I think the magic of CGI is going to play heavily into movie Renesmee. Either that or they will rewrite that bit. At the end of the book she is still very young. She will age rapidly for 7 years and then stop when she is physically 17-ish, but that doesn't occur in the book. I won't say more so you can finish the book!
picture at the bottom= fail. ah, twilight, possibly the WORST idea that could ever enter a human beings mind. i mean, COME ON. SPARKLY vampires? That is just… pathetic!
TWILIGHT SUCKS!
Bella is a strong powerful woman and she is really beyond her years. She knows what best for her and I am glad she kept her child even though it was killing her.
I wish i could have kept my baby but it would have killed me. I,m glad Bella got to keep hers against painful unknown odds.:)
I disagree with this article.
Bella is way too dependent on Edward and Jacob, I mean, in New Moon, she basically shuts down and can barely function without Edward, and she only starts to "recover", as in get over the zombie thing when she starts hanging out with Jacob.
And don'e even get me started on just how unrealistic it is that two, not one but TWO [supposedly] uber-hot guys are falling over her, because she just has "some effect" over them. *eyeroll*
Ane while you said this article was in defense of Bella, may I ask you HOW does she have a personality? Maybe she changes a bit during the series, but that doesn't mean she has a personality. I have yet to see someone argue that she does have one….