Book Talk… Should Bella be considered a role model?
Alright! This weeks question may bring some debate but I’m interested in hearing all points of view. I know I’ve waffled back and forth some on this topic as I’ve heard others opinions and had some things to think about.
Do you think that Bella is a strong or a weak woman? Is she a good role model for young women? How does she fit with your view of feminism?
Here are my thoughts:
As the a 17 year old girl I think Bella has very strong personal character. Does she make some really questionable choices? Yes. But she’s 17. I like that she owns her choices, that’s admirable. Is she a bit whiny? Yes. Did I mention she was 17?
Is she a good role model? I’m not sure. But quite honestly I’m not sure a fan of using fictional characters as role models, per say, because they are fictional and the worlds created around them are also fictional. As much as any writer would like to make a world and a character realistic there is only so much they can do.
Does she fit my view of feminism? Yes. To me, a strong woman isn’t strong because she dominates the men around her. She’s strong because she gives of herself freely and without question. She’s strong because she doesn’t waver in her beliefs. She’s strong because she loves fully and with out hesitation. To me a woman isn’t strong because of what she has or what she takes but by what she has accomplished with conviction and caring. (I would say the same about men as well.) Bella does these things. In my mind she definitely fits my view of feminism.
Now that I’ve spouted off and climbed down from my soap box what do you think?
Tags: Bella Swan, Edward Cullen, Stephenie Meyer, Twilight, Twilight Tuesday, Twilight Tuesday Inspiration Challenge, vampire
Book Talk Thursdays | 
Jen | April 16, 2009
By Tonya, April 16, 2009 @ 1:23 pm
Feminism to me is about treating people respectfully and valuing them as much as you would any other person. Equality is the buzz term but it’s more than that to me. Not everyone is equal in my opinion. But everyone does have the equal right to be valued and treated respectfully as a human. I’m sure several people are giving me a “huh?” over that and I will gladly explain myself in the forum if necessary.
I particularly agree with your statement “a strong woman isn’t strong because she dominates the men around her. She’s strong because….” That whole entire paragraph was brilliantly written and I’m in complete agreement. I absolutely despise how people say Edward abused Bella (or whatever) simply because Bella wasn’t a dominatrix. Ok, maybe that’s a little over the top but you get the idea.
One thing I do not agree with is the idea that Bella was whiny. I’ve heard this mentioned repeatedly and I just do not get it. Perhaps specific examples are needed? I don’t find Bella whiny at all…ever.
By Monique, April 16, 2009 @ 6:11 pm
I think that Bella is a very strong woman. She takes things as they come and learns how to cope and deal with what happens in her life. I think she is a great role model as her character says to me to believe in what you want and never give up. I am not sure what my view on feminism really is but Bella is a sweet girl, maybe not feminine enough but she’s very sweet.
Monique’s last blog post..Blog Candy
By Steph, April 16, 2009 @ 7:34 pm
this is perfect timing! I had this discussion with some friends over Easter. Out of our group of 5, 4 have read the Twilight Series, one will in the very near future. Two of us loved it (me in this group); the other two girls hated it, citing that Bella is a bad role model.
My argument was and is, Bella was not written to be a role model. To Jen’s point, she’s fictional, in a fictional world. One friend cried- “but what is she teaching little girls?” My argument to that “little” girls were not the target audience, these books, as I understand it were for young adults. I think Bella has many qualities that makes her identifiable with readers, but I certainly did not read it thinking she should be, was or is, a role model. Bella acts like a typical and not so typical 17 yr old , making good and bad decisions (typical-that’s how learn!) and taking on a lot of responsibility all the while (not every 17 yr old is a mother figure to their own mother). I think Bella is strong overall, and I’ve said this before, so I won’t repeat.
Does Bella fit my view of feminism? I’m not sure. I’m not sure if I have a specific idea of feminism, I’m not particularly fond of that term because it traditionally implies a “I am woman hear me roar” type of attitude, or that everything comes down to ‘men hate women and are always trying to dominate them’. I understand not everyone has that same association with the word ‘feminism’, but that’s what I always think of.
I hate how everything gets torn to bits. It’s one reason why I despised my Children’s Lit class in University. Sometimes a story is just a story. An escape from our own reality. Enjoy it and take it for what it’s worth.
Steph’s last blog post..Holy Cow! She finally made a card!
Cece Reply:
April 16th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
I love that you said
“Sometimes a story is just a story. An escape from our own reality. Enjoy it and take it for what it’s worth.”
I completely believe that and am glad that you stated it.
Cece’s last blog post..TTIC #27 "Jasper Hale"
Tonya Reply:
April 16th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
WELL SAID!! Especially the end about feminism and college lit. Sometimes, a story is just a story. I don’t do a whole lot of discussions for this VERY reason. I don’t want my experience RUINED!
Lona Reply:
April 17th, 2009 at 9:42 am
I agree completely why can’t we have a story that just takes us out of reality for a little bit, and into a world we can enjoy. Bella and Edwards story is timeless. I just wish people would realize that.
By Cece, April 16, 2009 @ 7:53 pm
I believe that in the beginning Bella was a weak women, it was almost as if she did not believe in herself. When she met Edward however she opened up and it was like her life had meaning now and she became a strong women because for once she had something worth fighting for.
Do I think Bella is a good role model, yes, . . .in a way. If you take her characteristics of doing what is right for the ones she loves and putting them before herself, then yes, in my mind she is. But, I do not agree of her as a role model when it comes to putting all her other friendships aside for this “boy”, even though that is what I love about the book. When young girls read this I know they will find it hard to separate from Bella’s character because they so much want to feel what she is feeling. I just hope that most realize this is purely fantasy and try not to live up to the relationship of Bella and Edward.
As for how it fits with my idea of feminism, yes, I feel that Bella is a feminist. Even though she is constantly being saved by Edward she makes it known that she will do what she wants when she wants to, even if it is putting herself in dangers way. She is hard headed, but does it all for what she believes is the right reasons.
Cece’s last blog post..TTIC #27 "Jasper Hale"
By darcy, April 18, 2009 @ 4:24 pm
i do not think she is a good role model and im 11 and have read all the books.my role model is not some1 who throws everything away just to be with a guy i mean seriously i like the books but thats not the best role model and edward is a stalker my role model is not some1 who has a stalker as a bf lastly she lies to much ur teaching some1 to lie to there own mother and father and every1 around them that is not right and i just think that is horible to think she could be a role model and as i said be4 i do like the books so ya thats my thoght
By Karen, April 18, 2009 @ 4:36 pm
First let me start by saying I loved the books – especially the first.
With that being said, I didn’t think Bella was much of a role model. I consider a role model someone who makes the world a better place and inspires others to do the same or at least inspires them to be better people. Mostly Bella is only caught up in Edward – no other friends fit into her world. She wants little contact with her mom (maybe she’s influenced her to be selfish) and she likes the fact that her dad leaves her alone so she doesn’t have to deal with him. She basically puts up with the other girls at school and even Alice is someone to be patronized (she mostly seems to like her b/c she’s “related” to Edward).
But from a fantasy point, she’s a likeable character (albeit whiney – why can’t she accept gifts gracefully instead of making people feel bad about being nice to her?). Maybe she’s selfish b/c she’s an only child and her mother has basically ignored her for her boyfriends in the past?
This discussion makes me wish I was in a book club again…I like hearing alternative opinions to books I read.
By Ande, April 20, 2009 @ 10:38 am
I posted my opinion on this topic HERE
GREAT DISCUSSION!
~Ande
Ande’s last blog post..Bella: Strong or weak? Role Model or No?