EDWARD CULLEN: WANDERER & LOST SOUL
TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer, Little Brown , 2005
STATS: 87 year old Vampire.
THE LOOK: Edward Cullen’s tall and lithe body suggests he’s eighteen year old, when in fact he’s much older. He was turned into a Vampire at the age of seventeen, while dying of influenza in 1918. The man who turned him then adopted him into his growing Vampire family.
He’s strangely beautiful, with pale features that shine from under untidy bronze-colored hair. When he’s hungry, purplish bruise-like shadows appear under his coal black eyes, as if he had more then just one sleepless night. His family is made up of ‘reformed vampires’, ones that feed on animal blood, not human.
LEADING LADY: Sixteen year-old Isabella Swan (Bella) recently moved from Phoenix, Arizona to rainy Forks, Washington where she encounters the strange Cullen Clan of Vampires. She has an instant, irresistible attraction to Edward Cullen, and he to her. They attend the same high school, and Edward is Bella’s lab partner in Biology class.
Isabella is the only child of Police Chief Charlie Swan. Her parents divorced when she was young, and Bella just recently decided to move to Washington to be with her father and finish high school in the sunless climate of the north.
Their first close encounter:
“I didn’t look up as I set my book on the table and took my seat, but I saw his posture change from the corner of my eye. He was leaning away from me, sitting on the extreme edge of his chair and averting his face like he smelled something bad. Inconspicuously, I sniffed my hair. It smelled like strawberries, the scent of my favorite shampoo. I let my hair fall over my right shoulder making a dark current between us, and tried to pay attention to the teacher.”
Riding in Edward’s brother’s jeep:
“What’s all this?” I asked when he opened the door.
“It’s an off-roading harness.”
“Uh-oh.”
Edward turned the key and the engine roared to life.
We pulled away from the house.
“This is a….um…big jeep you have.”
“It’s Emmet’s. I didn’t think you’d want to run the whole way.”
“Aren’t you going to put on a seat belt?”
He threw me a disbelieving look.”
Weaknesses: Edward has fallen in love with Bella, and she with him. The fact that he’s a Vampire and she’s a mortal complicates both their lives. Edward’s world is a dangerous place for Bella. He must protect her from other Vampires on the prowl looking for human blood, as well as those seeking revenge against his clan. Not to mention himself and his natural instincts.
BOTTOM LINE: When Edward first notices Bella in school, he’s immediately drawn to her. His attraction sprouts from his inability to control her, or read her thoughts. Still he resists her, avoiding her, trying to drive her away with rudeness. He fears loving her or anyone. He’s a lost soul, moving away from people and things when life gets too close to him. Bella is someone he cannot resist.
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
What is the attraction to the dark, mysterious Vampires?
March 4th, 2008
Lee 
in
Hero Files, Lee's Heroes, Lost Souls |
Everyone loves a good hero, but what do readers, agents, editors, and writers love most? Join us as we delve under the covers and find out!
March 4th, 2008 at 10:30 am
I am so not a vampire girl. I’ve tried to like them, even forced myself to finish books that weren’t doing it for me because of the vampires, so when I bought Twilight, it was purely because of the buzz (proof that buzz works since I KNEW Twilight had vampires). I put off starting it, but once I did, I LOVED it! Loved it, loved it, loved it. Stephenie Meyer has a very subtle way of writing, and has a quiet eloquence. In answer to your question, Lee, I don’t have an attraction to mysterious vampires at all, however Edward Cullen is an exception. There’s something tragic and honorable about him, and the fact that he must fight against his very nature every single moment makes him memorable. Great choice of a hero!
March 4th, 2008 at 11:39 am
I’m a vamp chick myself. I’m drawn to the dark damaged soul, or lack of in some cases. I have to admit that Edward really has become one of my favorites. Stephenie Meyer, did an exceptional job, creating him. I found him very human, and attractive even at my age. I loved the series, and found her writing beautiful and refreshing. Since reading it, I always make the recommendation for this series.
I believe the allure of vamp, is the adventure of the unknown, and that dark mystery lurking just below the surface. And without a doubt they are always very damaged.
Right next to Edward on my list of favorite vamps, is Spike of the Buffy series. He was dark, damaged, funny and full of surprises.
March 4th, 2008 at 11:45 am
I like vampires too but haven’t read a lot of YA. I can’t wait to read Twilight! It’ll be interesting to see how the romance develops between an “experienced” older male and a young girl.
March 4th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
I’ve loved vampires since Dark Shadows and Dracula with Frank Langella. Angel just made me love them more. I think for women it is the whole ’save a lost soul’ fantasy. They can believe they are the ones to bring them back from the abyss.
April 6th, 2008 at 11:15 am
Seems different from your previous posts. Did YOU write this post, or someone else did? Anyway, I think your readers really enjoyed reading it.
May 6th, 2008 at 1:51 am
Dude I love Twilight it is so addicting I hate and love Stephenie Meyer at the same time I hate her because she got me hooked and I love her (not in a gay way) because she has me hooked.