Feminism And Vampires In Stephenie Meyer’s The Twilight Saga: Bella Swan's Ability To Make Her Own Choices

ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Stevie Bryson (Creator)
Institution
Appalachian State University (ASU )
Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
Advisor
Michael Wilson

Abstract: Stephenie Meyer argues that Bella Swan is a feminist character because “the foundation of feminism is this: being able to choose. The core of anti-feminism is, conversely, telling a woman she can’t do something solely because she’s a woman” (Wilson 207). However, using this definition of feminism, Bella Swan still is not a feminist character because she might not be making these choices of her own free will due to her controlling, abusive, vampire boyfriend with psychic abilities. She does not actually become a feminist character under this definition until she herself becomes a vampire and gets on a level footing with Edward in terms of supernatural abilities. The problem isn’t necessarily that Bella is making the wrong choices with her life; the problem is whether or not she’s making these choices of her own free will at all, which is unlikely given her circumstances.

Additional Information

Publication
Honors Project
Bryson, S. (2017). Feminism And Vampires In Stephenie Meyer’s The Twilight Saga: Bella Swan's Ability To Make Her Own Choices. Appalachian State University. Unpublished Honors Thesis. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
Language: English
Date: 2017
Keywords
Gender, Free will, Feminism, Vampires, Twilight

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