Breaking Dawn: The Last Fairy Tale of Twilight
Riveting End to Meyer's Series Offers Little to Sink Teeth Into
Sep 13, 2009
Midway through Breaking Dawn – Stephanie Meyer's fourth and final installation of the Twilight saga – protagonist Bella Cullen remarks, "Edward had always thought that he belonged to the world of horror stories. Of course, I'd known he was dead wrong. It was obvious that he belonged here. In a fairy tale. And now I was in the story with him."
Though set in modern day Washington State, the mesmeric book (like Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse before it) has little in common with real life. Instead, this contemporary, action-packed fairy tale plays, in particular, to women's deepest desires – including security, power, passionate romance and the unconditional love of the "perfect man."
Plainly put, the Twilight saga is escapist literature at its most captivating, but not much more.
Emotional Fantasies, Constant Crises Hinder Realistic Character Development in Breaking Dawn
It's impossible not to admire the creative talents of Meyer, who completely redefines and modernizes myths and legends that have fascinated people for centuries.
From the beginning, central character Edward Cullen, a noble vegetarian vampire, has few noticeable flaws. An exceptionally talented, tender Adonis who's rich beyond measure, Edward spends nearly every moment with his beloved and apparently unexceptional Bella, even when she sleeps (normally, this would be considered obsessive).
Breaking Dawn takes the palpable sensuality of the Twilight series to new heights as Edward and Bella's nearly unrestrained fervor culminates (thankfully, after the wedding) in apparently flawless lovemaking (except for some bruises) on a remote South American island the Cullens own.
From there, Bella, Edward, the scorned but dependably loyal shape-shifter Jacob Black and a large cast of minor characters are (once again) drawn into a vortex of break-neck action that lasts several hundred pages and includes the brutal pregnancy and horrific birth of the half-human, half-vampire baby Renesmee, Bella's bloody transformation into a vampire (with a breather for an amazingly easy adjustment to this new life and additional lovemaking) and a final confrontation with the Volturi, the self-elected guardians of vampire secrets.
It's a good thing Twilight characters don't need to worry about school, having a real job, money problems or disobedient children. There simply isn't room in the schedule.
Meyer keeps her characters too busy to explore their motivations, decisions and long-term consequences on a deeper, more meaningful level. Very little about relationships presented before and during Breaking Dawn translates into the real world, although readers may wish otherwise.
Bella's Sudden Superhero Status and Breaking Dawn's Perfect Ending also Lend to Fairy Tale
Throughout most of the Twilight series, Bella's constant need for protection from enemies and herself becomes melodramatic and even distracting. In addition, her wavering between Edward and Jacob seems drawn out, leading readers to wonder why the two are fighting over her.
But, Breaking Dawn introduces a new protagonist: blundering Bella cum bona fide superhero. It seems she was "born to be a vampire." Her astounding abilities to maintain complete self-control and shield friends and loved ones from an enemy onslaught give her power and a special status she never experienced before.
In the end, Bella's choices cost her nothing. In spite of constant upheaval, she gets eternity with Edward and his ever affectionate family, a specially gifted daughter, (in a somewhat perverse way) her best friend, a relationship with her human father, the perfect house and a wealthy lifestyle.
What more could readers ask of Meyer? Hopefully honesty. Breaking Dawn and its companions were not created to challenge readers. There's no great lesson to learn. And, that's OK, as long as readers are mature enough to separate fairy tale elements from healthy, sensible expectations.
Check out my book review of best-seller Marley & Me.
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