Defending the Education of Edward Cullen

Source: The Washington Post

After reading more than 200 comments written in response to Gail Collins’s article yesterday in the New York Times, I realize that this task has fallen to me. Someone has to set the record straight on the education of Edward Cullen, famous vampire.

Collins, in a piece titled “The Bad News Bears,” writes about Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston in particular and the concept of celebrity in general. As part of her column, she wrote:

“Not exactly ‘Wuthering Heights’ or ‘Jane Eyre.’ (‘Reader, I hung out with him.’) Not even ‘Twilight,’ although, like Levi, the perpetually teenaged Edward Cullen never managed to get through 12th grade.”

Because Edward Cullen can’t speak for himself, and because Robert Pattinson, the young actor who portrays Cullen, isn’t likely to come out and defend Edward’s intellectual heft, and because this blog is about everything involving education, (but NOT because any item about “Twilight” or “Eclipse” or Pattinson or the Cullens will generate valuable Web traffic in this sluggish July), I will right the wrong:

Edward Cullen not only managed to get through 12th grade once, but he did so many times, and actually spent enough time in college to go through medical school, twice, and come out with two degrees.

More here

Taylor Lautner As Stretch Armstrong and Rumors of Playing Wolverine

Source: mlive.com

Since the moment he removed his shirt in “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” it seemed predestined that Taylor Lautner would become an action star.

That is starting to come to fruition.

It was reported that the “Twilight” star is “excited” to begin filming on the movie “Stretch Armstrong,” where he would play the elongated protagonist. However, he admits that part of the fun is the character’s ability to stretch is “the worst superpower.”

Lautner has been rumored to play a younger Wolverine in an upcoming “X-Men” prequel. Whether or not this would be director Matthew Vaughn’s “X-Men: First Class,” currently in casting, has yet to be seen.

More here

Twifans Chat with Stephenie Meyer

Source: Twifans

Twifans has posted a transcript along with audio clips of a chat with Stephenie Meyer from the Stephenie Meyer press junket in which they discuss various topics where the “Eclipse” movie deviated from the book version.  They talk about angry Edward in the movie vs. the more restrained version in the book, the “wrong” Volvo, Bella taking off with Jacob on the motorcycle,  and her upcoming role as producer for “Breaking Dawn”.

[Twifans]: This is the only disruption in the force so far. The motorcycle clips. Where Bella gets on the motorcycle with Jacob. Our members wanna know, they don’t think that book Bella would have done that, would have ever hurt Edward like that.

SM: I have heard, I have read the comments, and I said the exact same thing. That was one of those days that I flew down. I’m like the way that this you know in the script I said the way that this is written her getting on the back of the bicycle is a direct response here “You lied to me, well I’m going with him” & we were able the day of, they cut down the clip that they played for MTV and stuff, we were able to soften it. We were able to get some lines in and you’ve seen the whole thing, so you know there’s a breakaway we tried to put in….her response to Edward, and then now it becomes about Jacob. “Why haven’t you called me?” We tried as hard as we could to soften, how that went down so it didn’t feel like, something “Well, I’m gonna go get on the back of his motorcycle” because I felt like that was NOT Bella at all & it’s not assertive, it’s rude. You know what I mean.

More here

Twilight Series Theories Chat with Stephenie Meyer

Source: Twilight Series Theories

The site Twilight Series Theories was also able to participate in the Stephenie Meyer press junket and they have posted the transcript of their chat with the author on the site.  They discuss topics from the infamous leg hitch to Freaky Fred (see the Bree Tanner novella for more if you’re unfamiliar with him), and more.  Click here to listen to the audio and/or read the transcript.

I can’t help but laugh at the fact that someone from The Washington Post defended Edward Cullen’s educational background or the fact that someone from The New York Times dared to compare him a self-absorbed d-bag like Levi Johnston.

I love the Stephenie Meyer press junket transcripts and clips.  I love knowing what she thought about the changes to what she originally wrote – whether she was as perturbed as the fans by certain scenes. I have to agree on Bella taking off with Jacob on the motorcycle in front of Edward.  She would have never done that and it was rather spiteful.

What do you think of today’s Twilight news?  Join us in the forum and share your thoughts.  We’d love to hear from you!

Finally the third installment of the Twilight Saga: Eclipse is here and what better way to celebrate it then by bringing you fanart dedicated to the movie, its scenes and actors. This week Katie and I bring you hot and cold kisses and even some Charlie. We hope you’ve seen the movie already and if not don’t worry, it’s nothing that you haven’t seen or read before Enjoy!

Twilight Eclipse – Kiss? by ~co-boldt

Okay while I am not a big fan of Jacob. I do like this scene in the book because finally Bella gets some brains and realizes that she does really love Jacob. This is a scene right from one of the trailers and though we don’t know if Bella and Jacob are actually about to kiss, what other scene could it be? (Katie).

More of these fanart here

What do you think of these fanart? Have you seen the movie? Which was your favorite scene?

OBS is back with more A to Z and this time in honor of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse we have put together a list of words dedicated to the book. I hope that all you fans have had a chance to go see the movie, I won’t spoil it I’ll just say that David Slade was the perfect director for it Enjoy!

ECLIPSE

by
Stephenie Meyer

A: Alliance
(The Cullens team up with the wolves to fight against the newborn army.)

B: Bree Tanner
(Only newborn survivor of Victoria’s army. After she tells Jane everything that she knew Felix kills her.)

Bracelet
(Jacob gives Bella a bracelet with a hand-carved wolf charm for graduation.)

C: Claire
(Emily’s toddler niece who imprints with Quil.)

D: Diamonds
(Bella receives a large heart-shaped diamond from Edward and there are several diamonds in her engagement ring.)

E: Engagement
(Bella and Edward become engaged after graduation.)

F: Flyers
(Mrs. Newton gives Bella the wolf flyers to throw in the Dumpster.)

G: Graduation
(Bella, Alice, Edward, and the “humans” graduate from high school.)

H: Henry
(Son of Vera, Rosalie’s best friend when she was human.)

I: Imprinting
(Jacob tells Bella what one of those bizarre things they have to deal with is imprinting.)

J: Jacksonville
(Edward makes Bella use her present to go see Renée to Jacksonville while the others chase after Victoria.)

K: Kaheleha
(Powerful Spirit Chief.)

L: Lucy
(She helped Maria put together an army of newborn, including Jasper. She later on betrays Maria and gets killed.)

Leah Clearwater
(A female member of the Quileute tribe and the only female to become a member of the pack.  Stephenie Meyer has said that her father (Harry Clearwater) had his heart attack when he learned about her becoming a wolf.)

M: Maria
(Vampire that turned Jasper back in the Civil War looking for someone to train her own newborn army.)

N: Nettie
(Bonded with Maria and Lucy, later killed by Jasper and Maria.)

O: Old-fashioned
(Bella’s ring is old-fashioned, Jacob thinks the lineage is old-fashioned, Alice would like an old-fashioned wedding, even Edward is old-fashioned.)

P: Pain
(Bella thinks of the pain Jacob is in for not being able to see her. She needs to help him.)

Q: Quileute Legends
(The stories of the Quileute spirit warriors were told at the bonfire at LaPush.)

R: Riley
(A newborn vampire created by Victoria in Seattle.)

Royce King
(Rosalie’s fiance who assaulted her and left her for dead.  She killed him after killing his friends who took part in her assault.)

S: Switzerland
(Bella refuses to be affected by territorial disputes. She’s a neutral country.)

Seth Clearwater
(Brother of Leah Clearwater and the newest and youngest member of the wolf pack.)

T: Third Wife
(The Quileute legend that stood out the most for Bella was about the third wife.)

Taha Aki
(The last great Spirit Chief. First to shape shift thanks to the help of a wolf. He died saving his tribe.)

U: Utlapa
(Part of the Quileute legends, took over Taha Aki’s body and ruled as chief until he was killed.)

V: Vera
(Rosalie’s closest friend when she was human.  She got married at seventeen, had a wonderful husband and a baby. Everything that Rosalie ever wished for.)

Victoria
(Edward finally takes care of her in this book after she creates an army of newborn vampires.)

W: Witnesses
(Jacob wanted a place with witnesses so he could talk safely to Edward.)

X: eXibit A
(Jacob wishes that Sam would have taken a picture of Bella from when he found her in the woods for evidence.)

Y: Yellow Porsche
(Alice mentions how she hasn’t had the chance to drive her yellow Porsche yet.)

Z: Zero
(The number of Cullens and wolves taken out by Victoria’s army.)

Have you seen the movie? What is your favorite eclipse moment?

Chapters 24- Epilogue- Britta

Characters Involved

Bella

Edward

Victoria

Riley

Jacob

Carlisle

Esme

Alice

Jasper

Rosalie

Emmett

Seth

Sam

Leah

The Wolf Pack

Bree

Jane

Billy Black

Quil

Embry

Charlie

Renee

Phil

Places

The Tent

The Clearing

The cliff

La Push

The Meadow

The Cullen House

Bella’s House

24. Snap Decision

Bella and Edward sit in the tent as the fight begins. Bella sulks feeling the weight of Jacob’s kiss, and what it will mean for her and Edward. Edward finds out about the kiss, remarking that Jacob fights dirty, but does not blame her for what happened. Edward understands that when he left her, Jacob was the one to pick up the pieces; He understands that she loves Jacob. Bella tries her hardest to deny it, highlighting that she loves Edward more. She becomes angry, wishing that Edward would stop being so self sacrificing and fight for her. Bella throws herself at Edward, and Edward calms her saying that they will try, but just not as a reaction to Jacob Black’s taunts.

The fight carries on around them, and Bella listens as Edward gives commentary.

Suddenly Edward rips out of the tent, and tells Seth to run. Edward crouches in front of her defensively; Victoria is coming for Bella. Victoria leads Riley to them, before commanding him to attack. Edward tries to dissuade Riley by explaining that Victoria is simply using him. As Riley attacks, Seth jumps in to fight him. Meanwhile, Edward and Victoria fight. When Seth dismembers Riley, Victoria realizes that she is alone, and backs away to escape. Edward is far quicker than she is; he catches her, and beheads her.

25. Mirror

Bella watches as Edward dismembers Victoria’s body. Edward seems to be avoiding Bella as he and Seth busy themselves with gathering Victoria and Riley’s remains to burn them. Afterwards, Edward turns to Bella hesitantly, imploring her to drop the rock she is holding. Bella realizes that Edward thinks that she is afraid of him, and rushes forward into his embrace. Bella and Edward revel in the fact that they survived for a moment, until both Edward and Seth become wracked by a spasm. Bella screams in terror, and grasps Edward’s face between her clammy hands. Edward tells her that they are going to be fine. Edward gasps: “Sam–help him!” Bella realizes that Edward is speaking of a crisis happening with the wolf pack. He lifts Bella into his arms, and orders Seth to go home. Bella wonders what’s happening, and Edward alerts her that the Volturi have decided to intervene. Edward tells her that the Volturi haven’t come to claim them, just to assess the situation. Bella thinks back to Seth’s anguished howls, and realizes that Edward has deflected her first questions. Edward tells her that Leah found a newborn who was hiding, and engaged him alone. Bella wonders who was hurt if it wasn’t Leah. Edward tells her that it was Jacob who is hurt. Unable to cope with the news, Bella faints.

Bella awakens to Edward’s anxious voice. Carlisle instructs Edward to let her rest. Bella continues to worry herself over Jacob’s condition, but Edward tells her that Jacob is healing and will be fine. Bella notices that there are eight vampires in the clearing. She observes a newborn curled into a ball near the flames. Jane and the other Volturi members appear, eying the newborn with confusion. Edward explains that the newborn has surrendered, and Jane informs them that ‘there are no options for those who break the rules.” Jane inquires how many vampires completed the ‘army.’ Carlisle explains that there were eighteen newborns, created by Victoria. Jane asks who dealt with Victoria, and Edward answers affirmatively. After torturing the newborn with her glare, Jane asks for her name. The newborn answers that her name is Bree, and that she never knew her creator. Bree further explains that Riley commanded them to destroy the vampires with the strange yellow eyes, and that the first person to find Bella could have her; Riley didn’t help them as he promised, and Bree wanted to runaway, until Carlisle promised that they wouldn’t hurt her if she stopped fighting. Jane informs her that it wasn’t Carlisle’s place to save her life.

Edward tells Jane that Victoria held a grudge against Bella, and Jane laughs, remarking that Bella seems to bring out strong reactions in their kind.

Jane, believing to be finished there, commands Felix to to kill Bree. Edward and Carlisle try to take responsibility for Bree, explaining that they are willing to teach her the rules. But Jane declines, reminding them that they do not give second chances. She then remarks that Caius would be interested to know that Bella is still a human. Alice alerts her that the date to turn Bella is already set, and that perhaps they would come to visit them in the next few months.

Jane commands Felix to continue with his instructions, and he dismembers Bree. Afterwards, Jane, Felix and the rest of their members leave.

26. Ethics

Bella longs to go to La Push to be with Jacob while he is ailing. Alice does everything she can to distract Bella from going to La Push, by playing dress up. Alice explains that Bella needs to do everything she can to keep Charlie in the dark for his safety, and because Charlie had gone to La push and saw Edward and Carlisle had arrived back from their trip; She suggests that Bella should go home and talk to Charlie. Before Bella leaves, Alice asks if she would like to talk, as she must be traumatized after going through everything over the last twenty-four hours.

Bella asks if she will be like Bree when she becomes a newborn. Alice says that everyone takes to it differently, but that she will react something like that. She promises that it will pass in a few years or less, but because she has never observed someone choose to become a vampire, it might be interesting to see how it affects Bella. Bella wonders how Alice is able to see her future, when no other powers seems to work against her? Alice explains that Jasper’s power works on her because it affects the physical body, whereas Edward, Jane and other members of the Volturi have powers that affect the mind. Bella’s is safe within her mind, and therefore no one can reach her there.

Bella decides to go home and deal with Charlie. Once home, Charlie inquires whether Bella heard about Jacob, and urges her against riding motorcycles, as he believes this is the cause of Jacob’s injuries. Bella tells him that she intends to see Jacob after dinner. She asks if Jacob was awake when Charlie went to La Push. Charlie replied that Jacob was awake, and that his right leg and arm is broken, and that his entire right side was crushed because of the motorcycle accident. He also said that Jacob was well enough to tease him about Bella’s choosing Edward over him. Before Bella can leave for La Push, Charlie asks a favor of her. He explains that he has this feeling that he is about to lose her, and asks if she can tell him before she does anything major so that he can hug her and say goodbye. Bella promises that she will.

Bella enters Jacob’s room, and he looks at her intently for a while before changing his expression into a cocky smile. They discuss the fight for a moment, before it turns serious, and Jacob asks Bella how she is. He wonders whether Edward was mean to her after the kiss. Bella tells him that Edward wasn’t mean, even though she wishes that he was, and that Edward only desires her happiness. Jacob becomes angry that Edward didn’t give her an ultimatum, and believes that Edward is better at manipulating her than he thought. Bella tells him that Edward isn’t manipulating her. Jacob believes that his job is accomplished because she knows now that she loves him. He understands that Bella choosing him was a long-shot. Bella wishes that he would get angry at her instead of understanding, so Jake plays into it by reprimanding her for kissing him. Bella reacts to it seriously regretting her actions. Jacob stops as he observes her tears, and tries to stand, but Bella pushes him back. He puts his hands around her waist and pulls her beside him. Jacob promises that he will be a good friend, and that though it may be a long distance friendship, he refuses to ‘cut Bella in half’ anymore. He continues to explain that he is right for her, and it would have been effortless for them to be together if the world contained no monsters. Bella ponders to herself that Jacob is right; she knows that they would’ve been happy, and that in the natural world, they were soul mates. Jacob says that Edward is like a drug to her, and that he himself would have been more healthy for her, like the sun. Bella explains that the worst part is, she has seen their whole life, and wants so badly to make him happy, but she just can’t and it kills her. She always knew that she never had a choice. They discuss the wedding and how Bella will be turned afterwards. Jacob tells her that he’ll always be the spare option. Bella asks id she should come back and see him, and Jacob replies that he will think it through and get back to her. They give each other their love, and Bella leaves.

READ THE REST OF THE SUMMARIES AND JOIN INTHE DISCUSSION HERE

Quotes

“When I left you, Bella, I left you bleeding. Jacob was the one to stitch you back up again…I can’t blame either of you for something i made necessary. I may gain forgiveness, but that doesn’t let me escape the consequences” (Edward, Chapter 24, 309).

“We don’t make exceptions…and we don’t give second chances. It’s bad for our reputation” (Jane, Chapter 25, 334).

“I’m exactly right for you, Bella. It would have been effortless for us—comfortable, easy as breathing. I was the natural path your life would have taken…If the world was the way it was supposed to be, if there were no monsters and no magic” (Jacob, Chapter 26, 346).

“I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!” (Edward, Chapter 27, 353).

“If the silence in my head lasted, I would never go back. I wouldn’t be the first one to choose this form over the other. Maybe, if i ran far enough away, I would never have to hear again…I pushed my legs faster, letting Jacob Black disappear behind me” (Jacob, Epilogue, 363).

Questions

1. Did you like how Stephenie seemed to tie most of the ends in this novel?

2. Did you agree with the ‘games’ Edward and Jacob played to win Bella?

3. Who’s side were you on?

4. Supposing the events in Breaking Dawn haven’t occurred yet, How would you have believed Bella would turn? What powers would she have? How would she blend into the Cullen Family?

5. Do you agree with how Jane dealt with Bree? Should she have shown mercy?

6. Did you sympathize a bit with Victoria and her plight? Do you believe she truly loved James that much?

7. Do you believe that Edward and Bella’s relationship is a healthy one, or full of flaws? Are they truly in love with one another, or just obsessed?

Chapter 22 & 23 by Katie

Chapter 22 – Fire and Ice
Chapter 23 – Monster

Summary
Inside the tent, Bella was a Popsicle. And the storm outside just kept picking up. Edward wouldn’t even dare go by Bella, afraid to make her even colder than she already was, if it was possible. While Bella chattered away as she attempted to talk
Jacob waited out side in wolf form, whining because he knew it was dangerously cold out. Finally Edward had Jacob come inside and warm Bella up. Edward and Jacob of coursed bickered back and forth, Edward was jealous because Jacob could do what he would like to do for Bella. But as Bella started to drift away in to dream land, Jacob and Edward where actually able to hold a normal conversation with out really going at it with one another. It was mostly Jacob asking Edward a lot of questions, he wanted a chance to actually get to know Edward and what went on in his head. Considering Edward can always see what Jacob is thinking. Jacob was pretty stuck on finding out how hard it was for Edward when he had thought he lost Bella. After talking most of the night, they didn’t have much else to talk about. Jacob and Bella both drifted off to sleep.

READ THE REST OF THE SUMMARY AND JOIN IN THE DSCUSSION HERE

Quotes -
“Why don’t you go fetch a space heater or something?” – Edward, page 489

“I run at a toasty one-oh-eight point nine these days. I’ll have you sweating in no time.” – Jacob, page 490

“Why are you so much furrier than your friends?” – Bella, page 493

“My apologies, dog.” – Edward, page 508

“Because your space heater has reached his limit.” – Edward, page 514

“Kiss me, Jacob. Kiss me, and then come back.” – Bella, page 525

Questions -
What do you think brought on Jacob asking Edward questions?

Why do you think Edward so easily talked with Jacob?

What would make Jacob stay back and listen to Edward and Bella’s conversation?

Why do you think it took Bella this long to realize she loved Jacob too?

Chapter 20 & 21 by Katie

Chapter 20 – Compromise
Chapter 21 – Trails

Summary
Bella was all packed for her overnight with ‘Alice’. She was still a little uncomfortable because she didn’t want anything to happen to Charlie. But he was going to be with Bill and that would have to be enough for her. For once she was going to just be able to spend time with Edward. When she arrived at the Cullens, Edward was there to open the door for her, he swept her up and took her instead. He insisted that it was time for her to get her hand me down gift. It turned out to be a beautiful crystal heart charm. That now rests on the opposite side of the wolf charm Jacob made her. Bella was being very good with accepting this gift and she was hoping to work it to her advantage, she wanted to discuss some of there earlier arrangements made about them getting married and her being turned. But her demands are just to much for Edward. Even though the one thing she wants is simple, Edward feels that he could kill her. But finally after loads of persuading and begging Edward gave in and said that they could ‘try’ once they where married. Bella found it to be ridiculous that he wanted to wait, when that night was perfect. But he wanted to make sure that Bella wouldn’t back down, also call him a little old fashion, but he also wanted to protect her ‘virtue’. Before the night was up, there was one thing that Edward wanted to show Bella. He pulled out a small little black box and set it on Bella’s knee. It was extremely tough to open the box, but she pulled it out and was taking back by its beauty, after a lot reluctance she let Edward put it on her finger, he even got down on one knee and proposed again.

READ THE REST OF THE SUMMARY AND JOIN IN THE DISCUSSION HERE

Quotes -
“It’s had and cold, and it throws rainbows in the sunlight.” – Edward, page 439

“Would you please stop trying to take your clothes off?” – Edward, page 450

“You make me feel like a villain in a melodrama – twirling my mustache while I try to steal some poor girl’s virtue.” – Bella, page 453

“You are the most dangerous creature I’ve ever met.” – Edward, page 457

“Then why do I see you sneaking off to Vegas to get married without inviting me?” – Alice, page 465

“But I don’t count that as a kiss, Jacob. I think of it more as an assault.” – Bella, page 476

Questions -
Why do you think Bella was so persistent with her ‘request’ for Edward?

Whats your thought on when Alice said Edward already has one Rock on Bella?

Why do you think Alice got so mad about them going to Vegas to have a wedding?

Was Jacob just taking advantage of the situation by holding Bella?

Why would Jacob not want to be Alpha?