The Danger of Twilight

Two nights ago, I went out with my friends to celebrate my 19th birthday. But instead of going to a club (as was our original plan) we ended up losing ourselves in conversation about certain television shows, movies, and books (you know you're an English major when ...) And a bulk of our conversation consisted of the danger and flimsiness of Stephanie Meyers' Twilight "Saga". Admittedly, we had all read the books and had gone to see the films (in fact the conversation started with us admiring the built of Taylor Lautner and the Jacob Black persona). However, I believe that the fact we have read the books and have seen the movies allows us to criticize the books more thoroughly and more productively than the people who merely state they hate the franchise. What I realized is that when I read New Moon, I did find some things problematic but when putting the book on screen, all of those probelmatic aspects become heightened and emphasized. The mere concept of a teenage girl going on suicidal endeavours just to "see" her estranged boyfriend or "hear" his voice is not only ridiculous but socially regressive. That Bella's character is not able to take care of herself and relies on another man (Jacob Black) when her boyfriend (Edward) leaves is also extremely problematic - why is it that the only strong female characters in the novel are vampires? Furthermore, the relationship she has with Edward is completely unhealthy as he is possessive rather than protective and that they are willing to die for one another since life without one is meaningless is for, lack of a better word, completely insane. And while Bella's relationship with Jacob Black is normal, human and "natural" he still manipulates her into kissing him by threatening to commit suicide (seems to be a theme prevalent in the series). However, what I find most disturbing about everything mentioned is that while my friends and I are able to deconstruct the series and pick out what is problematic (due to being young women) the little girls who read these books find them romantic and want to grow up to be Bella and attract men like Edward (who is literally the "unattainable male character"). I am not saying that Twilight should not be read but I am saying that despite being a superficial book, it is one that should be taken with a grain of salt.