Twilight: Bella Swan, Edward Cullen, Jane Austen and Mr. Darcy

Given the current obsession with Stephanie Meyer's Twilight, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), and Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), I thought it would be appropriate to write a post about them all ... especially since there are a few connections (real and imagined), to Jane Austen.

First of all, I have read multiple bloggers' ravings over Twilight, whose fascinations with Edward Cullen were taken to such an extreme as to compare him to Mr. Darcy. May I kindly point out the faulty logic with this position? Let us begin with the fact that, despite his valiant efforts to live down his nature, Edward is, in fact, a bloodthirsty animal. Don't misunderstand - I like Edward, too, and the poor guy deserves some happiness. I have nothing against his relationship with Bella. However, personally, I would rather have a hero whose foundational nature doesn't thirst for my blood. But that's just me.

Additionally, Mr. Darcy may have had a little trouble expressing his love for Elizabeth in a "gentlemanlike manner," but at least he didn't flip-flop about whether or not it was in either of their best interests to be together. Once he decided what to do, he did it. In contrast, Edward did not seem to have come to much of a decision about Bella, and what to do about his attraction to her. First he's mean to her, than he's nice, then he follows her around, then he pushes her away. Good grief, boy! Make up your mind!

Let me end on a positive note by saying that Bella (despite her apparent inferiority complex), won my strong regard when she declared that two of her favorite books were Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility.