I find it pretty self-aggrandizing when authors compare their work to classic literature, especially when there are as many weird social and gender/sex issues as there are in the Twilight books. Bella is absolutely not a positive role model for girls, especially teenage girls. The way she loses her sense of self as she enters into her relationship with Edward is really very disturbing. She's an excellent proxy for the reader, but there's a difference between being a proxy and being a role model.
Jane Eyre, on the other hand, is a great role model. She has a fantastic character arc, where she goes through great change, and yet maintains her personality. She is a different Jane at the end of the book, but still Jane.
By the way, have you seen the most recent movie version of it? With Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens? (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780362/) It's excellent.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2008-11-06 02:22 am (UTC)Jane Eyre, on the other hand, is a great role model. She has a fantastic character arc, where she goes through great change, and yet maintains her personality. She is a different Jane at the end of the book, but still Jane.
By the way, have you seen the most recent movie version of it? With Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens? (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780362/) It's excellent.