B is for Bella Swan.
Sometime in the last several years, Bella became the anti-Christ - or at least the anti-Hermione and anti-Katniss. I love that current YA heroines are less "damsel-in-distress" and more "I'll kick your ass if you hurt someone I care about." I think Bella still falls into that second category. She is, in my opinion, a great character because she's tough, strong, self-sacrificing (for her family), beautiful, and too insecure to realize how great she is. I think many teenage girls (and maybe even some 20somethings and 30somethings) are also insecure. And many of those teenage girls want someone else (Edward/Jacob/Charlie/all of the above) to see how tough and strong they are. Bella is a great character because she is relatable. I think many girls want to be brave and heroic like Katniss, but they find themselves relating to Bella because Bella has those sides to her but doesn't realize it.
Why I like Bella: She isn't perfect. She's beautiful but doesn't know it. She's an insecure clutz who's still has a lot of strength.
Yes, so interesting the backlash--for both the author and the characters of this series. When people get THAT emotional I usually suspect a nerve has been strum.
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I didn't jump on the 'hate-bella' bandwagon, but something about her did bug me from the start. I can defintely see your point of view as being a valid one, though!
ReplyDeleteHaven't read this series (I know I'm probably one of a few) so don't really have an opinion. But I can see why people get annoyed with her but you're right we might be able to actually relate to that side of her.
ReplyDeleteInteresting argument. I'm so not a Bella fan... because I feel like she needs validation from others to make her strong instead of finding strength within herself.
ReplyDeleteStill loving your list, even if I don't love one of the characters :)
Haven't read the books (yes, I'm sure you're surprised) but I know a lot of people dislike her.
ReplyDeleteGreat to meet you on the April A to Z. It's great to read about these characters as I'll know how to present the characters in my books.
ReplyDeletewww.lloydofgamebooks.com
Hello, Kimberly! Nice to meet you. I like the idea for your A to Z theme! I'm not a fan of Bella Swan, but I can see why some teenage girls would relate to her. Her character definitely improved when she became a vampire!
ReplyDeleteHappy A to Z-ing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
(And 40-somethings too!)
ReplyDeletePopping 'round from the A to Z hop. Hear, hear! I'm really tired of all the Twilight bashers, especially those who say Bella's a poor role-model for young folks today. Why, because she went through a severe period of grief in New Moon? C'mon. She's great, for all the reasons you noted in your post, and I would add for those who think she was easily manipulated by Edward: y'all ain't reading the books very carefully. It was she who had the upper hand in that relationship, fundamentally. < /rant> :-D
Some Dark Romantic
I enjoyed reading your post yesterday and today and will look forward to the rest. I don't read YA books, not my thing, but it's fun to read about what makes the characters so magnetic for young readers.
ReplyDeleteWhen a 65 year old lady who has a very impressive library shares that she related to Bella at one point, well, that's something. Happy writing!
ReplyDeleteI really like your choice of theme for the A to Z but I'm sorry to say I've never read any of the Twilight books (or seen the films - yes, clearly I live under a rock). I look forward to reading about other characters that I will hopefully have met!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the rest of the challenge.
(Grover at Inane Ramblings)
I too like Bella, cuz she's honest about what she wants, not confused and sticks to it till the very end. Yes, she's got her faults but she's pretty strong! Good choice for B!
ReplyDeleteThe flaws are what make the character relatable.
ReplyDeleteNew follower here.
Looking forward to more A-Z posts from you. :)
I like Bella's character (in the books). I think people forget that it's largely thanks to her that they aren't all slaughtered in Breaking Dawn.
ReplyDeleteI'll admit I was one of those people who didn't like Bella- but you gave me a new perspective. Thanks :)
ReplyDeletewww.m5carolin.blogspot.com
I think her flaws and normality are good, but I think the reason people mock the character is because for some reason the two hunks on the block suddenly decide she's the most desirable woman in the world. Smacks a little of wish fulfillment.
ReplyDeletemood
Moody Writing
I have yet to stick my nose in theses series but I like your perspective on Bella's character. One of the few positive ones I've read.
ReplyDeleteHappy A to Z blogging. :)
Personally, I found Bella to be rather flat. I'd much rather spend the day with Albus Dumbledore. Looking forward to seeing who is tomorrow's character. Cleopatra Selene from Cleopatra's Moon? Hmm.
ReplyDeletehttp://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2013/04/wordless-wednesday-atoz-bows.html
I didn't read the Twilight books, but I've read plenty of controversy about Bella. Good post!
ReplyDeleteIts nice to see someone taking up for Bella Swan.
ReplyDeleteHugs and chocolate,
Shelly
I have not read the books. I did watch the movies and i agree I found her relate-able.
ReplyDeleteNew follower.
~Summer
My A-Z
The backlash against pop culture idols is inevitable. After the Spice Girls had been popular awhile, I saw a bumper sticker that read, "I am the Anti-Spice!"
ReplyDeleteNot a series of books I'm ever likely to read, so I have no opinion.
ReplyDeleteIt's more about the creepy stalker behavior than anything else.
I loved the books. I loved them even more when my non-reader read the series in a week.
ReplyDeleteLOVE Bella Swan! You tell it, girl! Yay! Loving this blog! Keep up the great work. See you tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteDana
Waiter, drink please!