Bella Swan Deserves More Credit: The Unsung Hero of Twilight’s Love Story

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In one of the top vampire films, “The Twilight Saga,” there’s a debate about Bella being one of the less favorable main characters. It’s true that she has her imperfections, such as her reliance on Edward Cullen, the vampire, and her decision to become immortal for him. However, before the “Twilight” TV series debuts, let’s reconsider Bella and acknowledge some of Kristen Stewart’s finest performances as this Forks resident. She deserves more recognition for her strengths.

Bella Gets A Lot Of Flack For Her Intense Relationship With Edward, But I Admire Her For Following Her Heart

It’s been pointed out that Bella often faces criticism for her strong reliance on Edward. In 2011, psychologist Wind Goodfriend Ph.D. suggested in Psychology Today that Bella’s low self-esteem and attraction to unconventional relationships could classify her as a victim of abusive relationships, with Edward being the abuser. However, the author of the Twilight series, Stephenie Meyer, has countered these criticisms by arguing that Bella is a strong character who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to pursue it, which makes her a good role model.

Bella certainly earns recognition for acting on her feelings. When the new pupil observed unusual traits in her classmate, Edward Cullen, such as extraordinary physical power and shifting eye colors, she didn’t shy away from inquiry. Upon discovering he was a vampire struggling to suppress his desire to drink her blood, she didn’t let that deter her from cultivating a relationship with him, even if he distanced himself for her protection. When Edward ended their relationship in New Moon, Bella persisted in journeying to Italy to prevent him from giving himself up to the Volturi. She consistently did what resonated with her, regardless of others’ opinions.

Bella May Not Be A Typical Beauty Queen In High School, But That Doesn’t Stop Swooning Guys

In the initial Twilight film, upon Bella’s arrival in Forks, she found herself surrounded by many men. Her new friend Jessica even commented that she was like a fresh, attractive plaything. Contrary to being a popular queen, Bella opted for a more low-key style, preferring comfortable and understated clothing over revealing outfits. She also chose to forego makeup altogether and shied away from seeking attention or popularity at her new school.

At Forks High School, the boys didn’t shy away from Bella due to her genuine beauty or quirky personality; instead, it sparked a massive love triangle with Edward and Jacob. Bella never felt compelled to alter her authentic self to be more appealing. Not even when she initially met Edward did she attempt to modify her appearance to win him over. To me, this makes Bella seem like an admirable role model, as she never changed herself to earn love.

Bella May Be Giving Up Mortality To Be With Edward, But It’s To Help Protect Him

At the conclusion of the first film, Bella expressed her desire to become a vampire to Edward, hoping this transformation would allow them to be together forever. Later, during her 18th birthday as depicted in New Moon, she persisted in convincing him to turn her, so she could safeguard him from potential threats by the Volturi if necessary.

In the realm of Eclipse, Bella felt it was unfair for everyone to lay down their lives to shield her from Victoria. As a vampire, she could break free from her reliance on Edward for protection against foes stronger than herself. This revelation struck Bella that her choice to become a vampire wasn’t solely about spending eternity with Edward; it was deeply rooted in her conviction that she belonged within his supernatural realm.

Bella Engages In Reckless Behavior, But She’s Willing To Sacrifice For The Ones She Loves

In the Twilight movie saga, Bella frequently found herself in risky situations that viewers might label as impulsive or rash. For instance, in the first film, she disregarded Alice and Jasper’s presence to visit a ballet studio where James, a Tracker, was waiting. In New Moon, she left her father Charlie behind to travel to Italy for Edward. During Eclipse, she remained with Edward at a location where Victoria and the newborn vampires confronted the Cullens and werewolves. Lastly, in Breaking Dawn, she decided to carry her half-vampire child to full term despite it potentially costing her own life.

It’s crucial to remember that Bella’s unconventional actions were driven by love. For instance, she ventured to the ballet studio despite the risk because James claimed he had her mother there. Furthermore, her impulsive decision to go to Italy was aimed at preventing Edward from instigating the Volturi, who might have harmed him. Lastly, Bella chose to stay with the Cullens and the werewolves to ensure they could defend themselves if necessary.

Besides this, Bella carried her pregnancy despite the challenges, viewing her child as a “miracle” since she believed it was impossible for a vampire to conceive with a human. She was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice of a mother to safeguard her daughter’s life, even if it meant parting from her. Even in the midst of the Volturi conflict, Bella agreed to let Renesmee and Jacob depart together for safety, putting her daughter’s well-being above all else.

Bella Disobeys Her Father’s Wishes, But She Needs To Create Her Own Path

Even though Bella had a close bond with Edward, she also engaged in typical teenager behaviors such as disregarding her father’s instructions. To Charlie, it seemed like whenever Bella was with Edward, their relationship only added more problems to her life. When Edward departed from Bella, he recognized the intense sorrow he had caused his daughter. In fact, considering that he was well-acquainted with Jacob and his family, Charlie might have supported Jacob’s stance. This assumption is based on Charlie’s words of wisdom to her: “You must learn to cherish what’s beneficial for you.

Through the Twilight Saga, while Charlie aimed to protect Bella by wanting her to stay away from Edward, Bella felt that being with Edward was what was best for her. There are numerous reasons why Bella’s choice of Edward seemed justified: his constant vigilance over her safety and unwavering loyalty towards her. He would go to great lengths to ensure her well-being. Despite Charlie’s wishes for Bella to distance herself from Edward, she chose to carve out her own destiny and follow her heart. This led to significant decisions such as marrying him, starting a family, and becoming a vampire. By the end of the saga, it was clear that Bella did not regret any of these choices she made.

In other words, while Bella Swan may have had some questionable judgments regarding her relationship with Edward and the danger she often found herself in to remain with him, it’s essential to recognize that no character is flawless and give her more credit than she has received.

As a passionate cinephile, I’d say it this way: Throughout her incredible journey in the Twilight saga, Bella Swan stayed true to herself and her desires. If her bold actions were fueled by love, who am I to question a girl’s choices? To truly appreciate the strength of this remarkable character, be sure to catch all the Twilight movies on your Peacock subscription!

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2025-03-22 23:08