Sorry for the super long post. I don’t post every day, hence I am always behind on the wonderful conversations going on and always trying to squeeze everything I want to say in one post. In this post, I am going to address Corona’s epiphany first, then share my views regarding my feelings on what it means to me to become a vampire.
To Corona ~ Firstly, I want to say I can’t tell you how many times you crack me up with your funny posts. Hilarious.
Okay, here we go. I loved your epiphany, very insightful. SM does seem to use Jacob to accomplish many things in Twilight for Bella’s sake. That was one of the themes from the very beginning. Jacob was originally born to clue Bella in on vampires. But, since SM had to make the story longer, why stop there? When you need something out of the ordinary done and quickly, Jacob is the one to call. I know you and everyone else here don't feel that way, so thank you for bearing with me.
Also, for myself, regarding the two scenes you are referring to in your epiphany, the scene where NEWBORN vampire Bella meets Nessie and the next day NEWBORN vampire Bella and Nessie meet Charlie, I feel it also all makes sense to me not only because Bella has to find out about the imprinting and Bella has to pass the Charlie test, but Jacob’s motives make sense to me if you put Jacob and Nessie in the imprinting bubble. Jacob just doesn’t like Nessie because she is more beautiful to him than human Bella. Jacob has imprinted on Nessie, Jacob’s whole life has literally and essentially changed forever. As I said before, Law #3 of the imprinting set up, is the imprintee and imprinter must remain together. I tend to think always, but I am open to think a temporary separation could be possible. But, in my opinion, not likely.
Therefore, as you so brilliantly put it, Rosalie putting Nessie in Jacob’s arm first, accomplishes the outcome of Bella finding out about the imprinting, which in turn also accomplishes the fact that Bella is totally against the imprinting and the sharing Nessie idea with Jacob, which in turn gives Jacob the motive to bring Charlie into the picture before the whole family leaves to New Hampshire without him. Because Law #3 of the imprinting rule is imprinter and imprintee stay together no matter what. So for me, Jacob’s actions and motives in both scenes (or the one scene as you put it) are very understandable, once I put Jacob and Nessie in the imprinting bubble. I also think, Tornado is right about Rosalie putting Nessie in Jacob’s arms so Jacob can see for himself this is what Nessie wants.
Okay, Now about the funny post you posted today, I agree with Jazz Girl regarding Bella’s denial for Jacob.
Now, speaking for myself, denial helps one accomplish many, what one deems, immoral, unethical and inappropriate behaviors. Bella keeps Jacob around after Edward’s return NOT
only because as she says, she feels, 1. guilt for turning Jacob down romantically after all he has done for her; 2. Jacob is her Best-friend; 3. Jacob is her insurance policy and 4. What I have been trying to tell you all along, Bella romantically loves Jacob, and she wants him too, but, she has to be in denial to keep Jacob around. Because, she feels it would be immoral, unethical and inappropriate to make that consciously known to herself and everyone else, especially Edward. So what does she do? What I would do. Keep our beloved dog around and cover the obvious reasons of why with denial. Eclipse, was speaking the truth, guys can be unfair and girls can be mean. Sorry, sometimes things can be that way.
But, that was silly because denial only works on her not on everyone else. To everyone else, supernatural and otherwise, things are painfully clear. Especially, to Bella’s, and my, beloved dog. So SM uses Jacob’s extreme actions/tactics to break her out of the denial bubble. Consequently, forcing Bella to have the heart to heart conversation with Jacob, regarding her true feelings for him and her true feelings for not accepting him as a romantic love, at the end of Eclipse, instead of at the end of New Moon. Like I said many posts ago, the soul card trumps the heart card every time in these kinds of circumstances. At 17 and 18 years old, I myself was not aware of this fact either. I did not know how to politely and kindly dump someone , let alone, someone I romantically loved, but couldn’t or shouldn’t have. At least Bella eventually figured it out. I usually just waited to get dumped. It was, also hard for me but, at least the other person felt good about being the dumper and not the dumpee. In any event, it was a hard lesson for Bella and Jacob to learn and it was hard for Edward to have to watch.
This is the end of my response to your post. I hope I was somewhat helpful.
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To All ~ Regarding my feelings on why the vampire thirst is a deal breaker for me.
I know I said it before, but since we are on the subject of what becoming a vampire means to each of us, I will share my views again. Tornado is right, one either opposes the idea of becoming a vampire because of the vampire thirst or because of the loss of family and/or as December pointed out, potential family. In my opinion, maybe, even both reasons and maybe living an immortal life in this corrupt world might make someone oppose to becoming a vampire also. In any event, for myself, it was the thirst. The thirst has so many meanings for me. Due to the thirst, one is now a vampire being, no longer a human being. And of course, the whole vampire outfit is designed to lure the unsuspecting human for consumption of their blood. Again, another reason a vampire being is no longer a human being. So the person's humanity goes right out the window.
I also feel, veggie-vampires, are gambling with the safety/life of all the humans in their proximity. And more so, in their newborn status. Hypothetically speaking, I personally would have had, at least, the newborns under my care, live safely away from humans until the newborn status was completely over. Maybe this would have cut down the losses for Esme and Emmett. I know Bella was opting to go to Antarctica or something, but in my opinion, that should have been mandatory
not optional. And if I was a vampire, I probably would have also opted to take a vacation a few times a year to places where there were no humans, for relief of the constant burning in my throat, of course. Maybe Isle Esme or Antartica etc. I can't remember now if the pain comes from being in the proximity of humans or, is the pain going on regardless if they are in the proximity of humans or not. I hope it's the former because if it is not, scratch my idea of going away for relief.
The topic of vampire thirst also makes me think of Renesmee. Now, the guide says hybrids have, both vampire and human traits. “They are much stronger and faster than humans, with sharper senses, but not as strong, fast, or sharp as a pure vampire”. The guide also says, “They can eat solid food, but generally find blood more appealing”. Okay, does Renesmee have the painful vampire thirst or, does she crave the appealing human blood, like I crave a nice juicy steak and/or chocolate cake (no pain)? Or does she have the painful vampire thirst but, at a level she can bear it? Well I guess, if she does have the painful thirst, it’s definitely, at a level she can bear it, otherwise, I would think she would have been crying in Charlie’s presence.
Now, granted veggie-vampires are very, very good at keeping control of their thirst. So I kind of classify them as professional gamblers. The chances of them losing their control, are slim. But, the chance is there, none the less. Hopefully, there will always be another supernatural being present when any veggie-vampire loses control.
Consequently, what is the veggie-vampire to do? They, understandably, crave their former human life and they want to live among us. And before Bella, many decades went by without there being any harm and/or casualty to any human in their proximity. Hence, I believe, if it were not for Bella’s presence in the Cullen’s house, Jasper would not have lost control in New Moon and, if it were not for Bella’s presence in the Cullen’s house again, Rosalie would not have, understandably, lost her control in Breaking Dawn. I say understandably, because we all know Rosalie had not fed since Bella returned from her honeymoon. And I do agree, that if Rosalie would have fed she would have NOT lost control. But, my point is, if a human being hangs out with veggie-vampires long enough, inevitably there will be an unpredictable/unforeseen circumstance(s) that could and/or would put the helpless human in harm’s way.
Thankfully and subsequently, as a rule, the Cullens, rightfully, make all efforts and attempts to keep humans safely away. But, for Bella (mainly Edward) they made exceptions to their rule. Big exceptions. Hence, not only for the private birthday party held for Bella but, the graduation party at the Cullen’s house, and the wedding at the Cullen house. When they accepted Bella in their lives/family, Bella’s presence brought her human world, unintentionally, with her, to their door step. I do understand all of these events, birth scene excluded, were Alice’s idea, but the family did go along with it, the family was in support and acceptance of Alice’s ideas. Even Edward’s idea to bring Bella over in Twilight in the first place was accepted by most. Only, Rosalie objected to the idea.
I do understand, all veggie-vampires did not have a choice in becoming vampires. The veggie-vampires either became a veggie-vampire due to an imminent death circumstance (medical purposes) or, they went from a red eyed vampire to a veggie-vampire for personal reasons like their conscience was bothering them (moral purposes). In both cases, the change was either, done as a treatment and/or cure to their physical and/or mental state of being. So understandably, they do the best they can with the card they were dealt. So I can sympathize for all the veggie-vampires. Therefore, if I was in the Twilight fairy tale, I would be uncomfortable in their presence, although I do understand their desire to live among us and their intentions which truly mean us no harm. So I would have to tolerate it and hope for the best.
However, in Bella’s case, without the imminent death circumstance, she was volunteering to end her humanity and have this plight/burden be hers for the sake of being permanently/forever with her love Edward. Now, speaking for myself, if I were not a Christian, I would have easily accepted Bella being turned/changed simply because she wanted to. Now, I do understand this way of thinking, because if I was in the Twilight fairy tale and someone would have offered me the chance to become a veggie-vampire at 17 or 18yrs old, I would have taken it. At that point in my life, I wasn’t a Christian, although, I did call myself one. I had conveniently (or so I thought) customized/picked and chose what parts of Christianity I wanted to follow and discarded everything else.
Hence, I would have did exactly what Bella did. Actually, I would have did what she did but, way sooner. There was no way I would have waited more than a year to become a vampire. I would have somehow had Edward let James’ venom take its course. I don’t know, maybe I would have stalled long enough for the venom to spread further where Edward could not suck it out. I don’t know, I would have figured something out.
I definitely, would have thrown my humanity away, like a bubble gum wrapper, never giving it a second thought. And I certainly, would not have wanted to be bothered with pesky details of living with a continuous painful thirst for human blood for the rest of my would-be immortal-like existence. Although, the painful vampirization process probably would have made me pause. But, not for long. I would have talked myself out of it. I would have thought, well these 7 people seemed to have survived/handled the very painful vampirization process in their weak conditions and some of them in their healthy conditions, surely someone as healthy as myself would not have a problem with it. Hence, in my mind, Edward/my-man would have been worth it all.
When I was 17 and 18yrs old, I also, did not want children. I wanted my man to be my best-friend and I wanted to be his best-friend too. And I wanted to have my fairy tale wedding and live happily ever after with my best-friend. Have fun, travel etc. And since, I did not value my own humanity then, it definitely would not have bothered me to put anyone else’s humanity in any kind of jeopardy (whether great or small). So I totally, understand Bella’s point of view on choosing to become a veggie-vampire for her man. All too well.
But, now, as a (real) Christian, if Bella’s original decision would have taken place, it would have been a problem for me. I would have had a different outlook of the story and it probably would not have been my favorite non-cartoonish fairy tale story ever, so far. But, thankfully, that is not what happened and Twilight is my favorite non-cartoonish fairy tale story ever, so far. My favorite cartoonish fairy tale is Disney’s Beauty and the Beast story. It’s funny, if it wasn’t for the vampire thirst and the vampire immortality characteristics/traits, the Twilight story would, almost, be like a Beauty and the Beast story or maybe like The Little Mermaid story. Except, in reverse. Because, instead of having the human change into the supernatural/magical being, the supernatural/magical being changes into a human, and all the reasons for doing so are because of the romantic love between the main couple in the story.
I know Lord of the Rings has a similar story going on but, the love story going on in Lord of The Rings is secondary to the main story of the ring and what the ring represents. The LR is more of a fairy tale with a moral story first then a fairy tale romance story second. Although, the romance story, in the LR story, is very much to my liking.
Thankfully, the way Bella became a vampire fits nicely with my Christian beliefs.
However, speaking for myself, as a Christian, I did have a problem with Bella choosing to end her humanity to become a vampire. The way I see it, I know there is one Author to the Twilight Saga that’s SM but, there are two creators within the story, they are God and SM. God created the humans and SM created the shape-shifters, vampires and hybrids. Of course, Twilight being SM’s story, she can do as she wishes with any and all characters in her story. If SM wanted to, she could have had Bella become a vampire the way Bella originally intended to. But, I am glad she did not. Because, as a Christian, I believe the only one who has the right to end/change a human being’s humanity is the author/creator of one’s life. Not anyone else, not even oneself. When one ends their own life, it is suicide and when someone else ends your life it is homicide/murder. So for me, when SM, the author/creator of Bella, created an imminent death circumstance for Bella to become a vampire, this worked well with my beliefs.
Even the way Carlisle changes people is okay with me. In my opinion, he does it for medical purposes. He tries to save the person’s existence/body from what he perceives is their end. That is what doctors do, they try to save your life by preserving the body with whatever means are at their disposal. I am glad SM made him a doctor, it fits well with what I believe he is doing. Which of course, leads me to believe, SM is trying to, subtly, tell us that becoming a veggie-vampire because of a medical reason is tolerable. Speaking for myself, I agree, it is tolerable for medical purposes.
And, speaking as a Christian, I believe Carlisle and the rest of the Cullens have not, either, read or understood the New Testament of the Bible. If they would have, they would have understood,
everything is forgivable, and you don’t get good with God or into heaven because of, any and all, good works you have done. You get good with God and into heaven because of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ kindly and lovingly says, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me”. The Bible teaches, rejection of Jesus Christ is the unforgiveable action that would keep one separated from God and banished from heaven. In my opinion, even though Carlisle has a Christian background, and even though the rest of the Cullens have good moral ethics, Carlisle and the rest of them, Bella included, did not understand what Jesus Christ/the-New-Testament was all about. So because of their
lack of knowledge and awareness of the gift that is Jesus Christ, I am able to tolerate and, even accept, Carlisle’s medical reasons for changing human beings into vampire beings for the sake of preserving/prolonging their earthly existence.