The image of the two hands holding an apple was everywhere. Peeking out of our book bags, tempting us when we entered bookstores, adorning our social media. At first glance, one might wonder if it was the story of Eve, whose bite of forbidden fruit doomed herself and all of humanity. In a way it was, and equally destructive.
The image adorned the cover of Twilight, a Buffy the Vampire Slayer knockoff that became an instant sensation. Readers were consumed by the story of girl-next-door Bella, who becomes the subject of obsession by Edward, a century-year-old vampire boy. The novel launched a series, in which a family of vampires and their enemies, werewolves, navigate love and politics in the face of an ancient vampire guild. It would be an awesome world-building series if the fundamental story weren’t so troubling.
Don’t get me wrong, Buffy was troubling too. Personally, I’m glad that Angel left and Buffy started dating, um, humans (until later, when at least the issues with dating someone 100+ years older than you were highlighted). (Plus, we got the amazing spinoff Angel.)
But many critics have rightfully pointed out the issues with Bella and Edward’s relationship. Namely, that she is miserable in the relationship, he stalks her, and her agency is construed as secondary to Edward’s relentless pursuit of her. In this universe, vampires cannot change a state…
