I will start this out by stating that I teach high school English. I teach the classics (To Kill a Mockingbird, Romeo and Juliet, Gatsby, Huck Finn, The Crucible) and toss in more contemporary, modern fiction and nonfiction (Night by Elie Wiesel, F451, Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian) and every time I teach a book or read with my class, I hope that they will enjoy and appreciate it. I have read all of the Twilight books. I saw (and own) the movie and enjoy the FLUFF that it is. I DID NOT stand in line for the midnight showing, and am fully prepared for this movie to SUCK like the first one. I will fully admit to waiting in like for the midnight showing of Harry Potter though, and that is an admission without shame.
Here are my thoughts.
Kids in high school (the vast majority) HATE TO READ.
This is a concept I used to not believe because I devoured books as a kid. I would take out the limit at the library and be done with them in two days. And sadly, not many of my students enjoy reading. Stephanie Meyers has created a phenomenon that has been compared to the Harry Potter series, although the writing is in no way comparable to that of J.K. Rowling. Meyers' storylines do not carry the depth of character and emotion that Rowling's books do. But the subject of teen love and teen angst is what draws people to this book. Perhaps for those of us obsessed with the books, it allows us to go back to our teen years and the days of our first love and first broken heart. And of wanting a boy to look at us with the kind of longing that Edward gazes at Bella with.
Do I think it is weird that adult women are OBSESSED with the main character? Yes. Do I think that Bella Swan is a horrific role model for young women, that instead of wallowing in self-pity and teaching girls that life is nothing without a boy she should create a life for herself? Yes. DO I think that ANY BOOK that can get a kid to read a 400 page book is okay in my mind? Yes. Is it high-quality writing? No, but it has a storyline that allows you to become engrossed and at times, truly feel Bella's pain and longing. Is it cheap entertainment and fluffy writing? Yes.
Will I go see the movie this weekend? Hell yes.
