Post
by corona » Thu Nov 10, 2011 10:51 am
Tornado, maybe "moral authority" isn't exactly the right phrase, but those words would have given Jacob additional latitude in his dealings with Bella, precisely because once they are spoken they can't be taken back. I have no doubt that if everything had gone smoothly that Edward would easily have acknowledged, to himself, that his appearance would have been the best gift of all to Bella (next to himself). There's no question about that. But, he never would have spoken it aloud, because saying it would have automatically changed the dynamics of that meeting. It is an acknowledgement, by the groom, that Jacob has power over his new bride, to the point that there isn't any use in denying it.
I know this is a minor point, but it's minor precisely because Rob refused to say it (and we're going on his word what that line actually was), so we'll never know how it would have actually gone over in the movie. But my gut feeling is that it wouldn't have been received well. I likely would have taken it as needless and foolish groveling. Some things might be true, but shouldn't be spoken aloud. Just my opinion.
As far as Jacob's outburt being tamped way down, I had suspected that it might, but I'm curious as to any information you have that leads you to believe that they may have done this. You have been a very good source of information.
In my opinion, that final Jacob scene at the reception was open to interpretation by the reader. You know what my opinion was, but an argument can be made that Jacob's intensity was fueled primarily (or even solely) by his genuine concern for Bella's life, and only her life.
However...books are a different medium than movies. The visual portrayal of an event may produce an unanticipated reaction from the audience. My gut feeling was that a canon portrayal of that scene would have produced an overwhelming negative visceral reaction to Jacob, so I always assumed it would be changed.
"It will take an amazing amount of control,” she mused. “More even than Carlisle has. He may be just strong enough…the only thing he’s not strong enough to do is stay away from her. That’s a lost cause.”