WHY LIKING TWILIGHT SHOULDN’T BE A CURSE

Twilight should be burned at the stake.

If this was the 1600s, that is – where people had genuine fear of vampires and witches were trialed by being thrown into oceans with concrete blocks chained to them.

What I’m saying is: Hating twilight is SO last year.

There are some self-proclaimed book-lovers who support every book and author on this universe: except for Twilight.

And when asked why, this is what they say: “Because Bella is weak. Bella never fought for herself. SPARKLY VAMPIRES.”

Bella fought for herself more than anyone ever seems to understand.

As readers, the vast majority of us are probably introverts. We are an explosion of diversity, shapes and sizes – colours and brains.

And sadly almost every single one of us has probably been effected by mental health issues in someway or another – whether it is in ourselves, or in our loved ones.

I might be reading into it too much, but the main point of my argument is this:

Bella had anxiety. Bella fought depression.

How dare you hide behind your computer screens and say she wasn’t a strong female character. Yes, she relied on someone who she loved to help her.

BUT HOW IN THE HELL IS THAT EVER A BAD THING?

Maybe it’s bad purely because he’s a male?

Would it have been okay for Bella to rely on someone else (how dare she?) if it had just been her family member or a female friend?

Would that have been okay with you Twilight-haters?

LET’S MOVE ON TO MY NEXT POINT OF ARGUMENT. (I have a long list).

So maybe you don’t like Stephenie Meyer’s writing. Which is perfectly okay! It happens.

But a lot of people who I’ve spoken to who have said this haven’t read the books. You all just presume its bland and unimaginative.

HELLO?

IN WHAT UNIVERSE ARE SPARKLY VAMPIRES UNIMAGINATIVE?

I’ve done enough ranting. Just have some Twilight (and sequel) quotes to appreciate and reflect over before you can accept that my word-is-law:

“Time passes. Even when it seems impossible. Even when each tick of the second hand aches like the pulse of blood behind a bruise. It passes unevenly, in strange lurches and dragging lulls, but pass it does. Even for me.”

OH, WAIT.

What’s that?

ACTUAL FREAKING EVIDENCE THAT BELLA WENT THROUGH DEPRESSION, HUH?

IT’S RIGHT THERE. IT EXISTS.

“You let love give someone the power to break you.”

I’d been broken beyond repair.

WOAH. It’s like she went through a difficult break-up or something and you know, actually grieved?

So maybe she didn’t go skipping down the road chasing the lost-love-of-her-life, but let me tell you as someone who has gone through breakups: the pain shatters you into oblivion. Your thoughts are everywhere and nowhere all at once. The ache is constant and driving and steals your breath away.

And then – there are so many times where Bella faints or has anxiety attacks or blacks out because she’s apparently so weak. 

But mental health does not make you weak.

Fighting it makes you the strongest person I know.

And I’m so proud of you.

So, ignoring the fact that Twilight literally drove Young Adult books into the market with an astounding roar, and ignoring the fact that you might not necessarily like the plot line or the writing:

Bella is strong.

And I’ll never believe otherwise.

Would you honestly go up to someone suffering from anxiety or depression and tell them that they aren’t strong? That they’re weak and that relying on someone they love is their greatest weakness of all?

I would willingly be a crutch for anyone who needs me. 

So I will keep fighting.

I will keep repeating that Bella isn’t weak, that she was never weak.

That she’s possibly the most realistic YA character out there.

You might think that you’d be more like Katniss Everdeen or Tris Prior.

But you’re a Bella.

And so am I.

And that’s okay.