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Coppell Student Media

The official student news site of Coppell High School

Coppell Student Media

The official student news site of Coppell High School

Coppell Student Media

Business Spectacle: Lilys Hair Studio (video)
Business Spectacle: Lily's Hair Studio (video)
October 26, 2023

Battle of the Twilight saga: Pro

By Ashleigh Heaton
Entertainment Editor
               
The Twilight phenomenon is in full-swing, with fan conventions springing up like weeds, a million-dollar movie franchise in the works and thousands of fansites popping up on browsers. It has, with good reason, been compared to the success of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter franchise and made the relatively unknown actor Robert Pattinson a celebrity icon. Love it or hate it, Twilight is the biggest part of our pop culture today.

                I remember when I first read Twilight. I was in seventh grade. I had bought the book when it first came out, but I ended up losing it under my bed until, one day, I found it. I picked up the book and started reading. And reading. And reading.

                Despite the teasing and questionable looks I received for reading a “vampire love story”, I had comfort in the fact that the book was my discovery, something pure and fantastic for me to help me escape the daily trials of being a middle schooler. I found pieces of myself in Bella’s character and daydreamed about sparkling vampires. I was hooked.

                When freshmen year rolled around, I noticed something: suddenly, everyone was reading it, even the people who had rolled their eyes at me for doing so years earlier. At first, I was so happy that people finally understood. But after awhile, I began to hear complaints I hadn’t prepared myself for.

                “The writing is awful, the story is dreadful, this book is an insult to my intelligence.”

                What? Were they reading the same story I had? I began to wonder…do these people really hate the book itself, or its instant popularity?

                Some grievances I can understand. For example, I will admit the writing is not top notch. But even though it isn’t the work of Shakespeare, it doesn’t make it any less credible as a book, because it was written for entertainment and entertainment only. For all you English teachers out there: you should be kissing the ground Stephenie Meyer walks upon. She made you a book that gets your students reading – not only reading, but enjoying reading.

                Twilight has also created a community that extends past local boundaries. Bella’s character is an “every-girl”, someone all girls can see themselves as in some way or another, which is one of the many appeals of the series. This connection with Bella leads to universal connection between readers, creating a common ground for fans to relate on. Back before “Twilighters” were discriminated against (and trust me, they are) a fan could move to a different state, mention Twilight, and instantly gain a pack of friends.

                (Contrary to popular belief, the Twilight community is not exclusive to women. I save a special place in my heart for the brave boys who dare to pick up the book – and usually end up liking it.)

                There are a lot of cynics out there, however, who just downright despise the book and what it stands for. And you know what? Usually when I ask them what part of the book made them dislike it so much, they answer with something to the effect of, “Well…I haven’t actually read it…”

                Excuse me? How can you judge a book you haven’t even read?

                The only reasonable explanation I can come up with is that people hate it because it became incredibly popular so fast (or they saw the movie, to which I say: never judge a book by its lousy movie. Ever.) The story itself is a fresh fantasy escape from our ordinary lives – and that’s all. It was not designed to become a required school reading or literary classic. Most people have issues respecting the fact that, sometimes, we all need a healthy, entertaining indulgence.

                I don’t mind if you don’t like the series. Not everyone can love the book, and that’s just the way of life and human opinion. I just wish less people would bad-mouth it before giving it a chance. 


(Want to see the con? Click here.)

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