Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer
By now most everyone is somewhat if not completely familiar with the Twilight Saga. I debated whether to write a review, but after making a few notes and reflecting on the main characters, I decided to go ahead and share my observations. Please note that I am only referencing the four main characters at this point. I may explore other characters at a later time.
Bella is torn between her best friend and her boyfriend. If you have ever been in this position, or any situation caught between two opposing views, you know the mental stress this can cause. She wants everyone to be happy. This attitude rarely works; it only servers to make yourself and others miserable. She has good intentions, since she feels she cannot tell her father the truth. Bella feels that half truths and sneaking around are her only option. Again, this is never a good road.
Regrettably in life you sometimes have to choose between friends, goals, and paths. Praying to God for guidance is a sure fire way to know the road to travel. The evil forces in the world will place doubt and guilt in your mind, but the Lord does not inflict guilt. He (God) will direct you and happiness will follow. Other parties involved will feel sadness or anger if you did not choose the path they want. No one wants to be rejected and not everyone will support your prayer based decision. Over time, others will come to respect your standing firm.
Edward, the boyfriend, tries to control Bella. He feels that he can keep her safe and that no one can do this but himself. He finds this path is not so easy.
Jacob, the best friend, also wants Bella to be safe and thinks that Edward is being a control freak. He also feels that Bella is being somewhat of a wimp. Does time change his mind?
Charlie, Bella’s father, does not like Edward. He feels that Edward is keeping Bella isolated and will not allow her to be with other people. As a parent, Charlie does not wish his daughter to be manipulated by anyone. He does not want any outside influence to keep her away from her friends. As a parent, you feel that boyfriends will come and go. Once you are outside your friends circle and the boyfriend moves on, it is sometimes difficult for our peers to forgive and accept you again.
All views could be considered correct. Each feel they are right and the others are wrong. No one can see the big picture or any other viewpoint.
Both Edward and Jacob feel they can see he situatio than Bella and where her loyalty should be.
I believe the wide attraction of this series is that everyone on the planet can identify with the conflict within at least one if not more of the characters.
Parents want what is best of their children, but are not always sure about the best way to parent. Asking what did I do wrong is a question that parents ask almost daily.
Children thinking they cannot confide in their parents because of something they know, something they have done, or something they are considering doing. They want parental approval and not to disappoint. Children do not realize that most parents have faced similar situations growing up. While the parent may get upset, they are usually upset out of fear of loosing their child either physically or emotionally.
Friends want what is best for each other, but usually this is contingent on what their agenda is based on. This could be anything from lack of experience, expectations, greed, jealously, this list could be endless. In the back of their minds, a friend may feel that your decision can help them influence a parent in a certain direction.
My favorite line, “She was forever trying to make me be human the way she thought humans should be.” Don’t we do the same thing with those around us. We spend so much time trying to change others to be like ourselves or make them the way we think they should be instead of accepting their differences. In the past, I have found myself attempting to changes others without really realizing how my attitude was hurting them. Just as Alice was trying to “help” Bella, don’t we find ourselves “helping” others in areas of their lives that are in our view is “just not quite right”? In truth, we all have “little areas” that need tweaking. If we would allow ourselves to truly open our eyes and hearts, we would realize we can learn from others and allow the Lord to make positive changes within us.
Overall this is a very well written series. If you have not read
Eclipse, I would suggest that you do not assume you know how things are going to end. If you have seen the movie, as I did last night, and have not read the book, I strongly suggest you dig in the pages for yourselves. The movie follows the book, but so much has not been included.
My first reading was just fun. This second time around I am seeing a much deeper meaning. I wonder what the third reading will bring to light?
Proofed by Laura Simmons.
City of Bones (Mortal Instruments Book One)
