Outside Reading #3

In my opinion major events and important choices can define the moment from childhood to adulthood, and there are many of these examples in my outside reading book, "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer. This novel is about a girl (Bella) who falls in love with a vampire (Edward), and how she reacts towards the dangers that come with loving a vampire. Since the decisions Bella makes could determine whether she lives or dies, these decisions are definitly big enough to determine her growth into adulthood. For example, when Edward and Bella visit a meadow together to finally talk and define their relationship, Edward shows Bella what he is capable of doing to her, "He reached up with one hand and...effortlessly ripped a two-foot-thick branch from the trunk of a spruce...'As if you could fight me off,' " (Meyer 264). Edward is trying to make Bella realize how dangerous it would be for them to be together; how dangerous it would be for her. But although Bella is suddenly frightened, she's more awed then scared, "I sat without moving, more frightened of him than I had ever been...He'd never been less human...or more beautiful," (Meyer 264). In my opinion, this isn't an example of naivety but of an awesome trust and understanding that Bella is capable of, which is very mature. Bella has to make many very important decisions about life, and that in itself, shows maturity.

"Twilight" relates to the novel "Black Boy" by Richard Wright, in that both Bella and Richard make decisions for themselves to "achieve" their passions. "Twilight" is all about how Bella defies her parents (in not telling them she's dating a vampire" because she knows that she and Edward are meant for eachothoer, even through all the struggles she must endure for the couple to finally be together. Also, in "Black Boy" Richard defies his parents in leaving his home in Alabama for Memphis because he knows he must start heading north if he ever wants to become a writer. Bella and Richard both break rules and defiy their families in chasing their dreams, which in my opinion shows wisdom.