"You Are My Life Now": Twilight as a Cultural Phenomenon and Fantasy

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Author
Guyon, Julia F.
Keyword
First Reader Paul J. Megna
Senior Project
Semester Spring 2021
Readers/Advisors
Megna, Paul J.
Term and Year
Spring 2021
Date Published
2021

Metadata
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URI
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12648/11260
Abstract
My project examines the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer, specifically the first book in the series. The overarching question guiding my project is why is Twilight regarded as a cultural phenomenon? The books were New York Times Best Sellers, while the films grossed millions of dollars. The fan base ranges from teenage girls to mothers known as Twilight Moms. Along with the love of the series, however, criticism of its themes and narratives has been raised as well. Critics often note Twilight's misogyny and reinforcement of traditional gender roles, highlighting Edward Cullen's toxic masculinity. Regardless, Edward's behaviors are romanticized, while fans defend Twilight's narrative as simply a work from the fantasy genre. I think there is much more to be said about fantasy, not just as a genre but also as a psychological mechanism. Fans engage with Twilight extensively, feeling transported into the text and engaging in parasocial interactions with characters. Young girls express feeling like they were the ones falling in love as they read the text. Meyer's inspiration to write Twilight came from a dream she had. The main protagonist, Bella, also experiences her own fantasy being fulfilled. In examining Twilight's inspiration, plot, and reception, we ultimately see a trilogy of fantasy created between author, protagonist, and audience. Prior to meeting Edward, Bella looks at her life through a lens of banality. Edward's intense feelings appear to be a remedy to this regardless of their problematic implications. I examine Bella as a parentified child, which I discuss in the first chapter of my project. Bella's relationships with her parents ultimately shape her fantasies.
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