The Twilight Saga
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Abusive Themes in The Series

The first couple of times that I read these books, I couldn't help but find that there were some incredibly blatant abusive and controlling themes within them that were heavily romanticized. Edward breaking into Bella's car, keeping her from her friends and family, etc. etc. What were some things that you found within the Twilight series to be abusive (doesn't have to include Bella and Edward- other characters can apply)?
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I don't think it was on purpose, but Edwards entrance into her life isolates her from everyone else. Like after he met his family they became her only support system, so that if she was inclined to leave, she'd have nowhere to go. And that kind of happened in New Moon because her entire support system and furure left and she didn't know what to do after that. This is something that occurs often with actual cases of domestic abuse, the abuser makes it to where they have no one outside of them and the abused come back every time they leave because they have no one and don't know what to do. Which is exactly what Bella does when Edward comes back. She ignores the bad he's done because she's so desperate for him to stay.
Also Edward blames Bella often for his extreme behavior towards her. Like when he has Alice kidnap her he blames her want to see her friend and even emotionally blackmails her with her father and what makes it worse is that everyone accepts it because "he just doing it because he cares". These are qualities and actions that are written on pamphlets for victims of domestic abuse. The only person who doesn't accept his tendencies is Jacob, but he's put in the light of being just jealous, so that his viewpoint is invalid. And while I will say Jacob was wrong for kissing Bella against her own will, I won't go so far as to say it's sexual assault because if that was, then so is every movie that has a girl shut up by a kiss unexpectedly the only difference being that they reacted more favorable, but the end results the same, he doesn't kiss her until asked the next time. It seems that Jacob's abusive qualities are really only a reaction to Edward's as a way to counteract them because before Edward came back he was just simply blunt about his feelings and protective towards her with inhibiting her the way Edward does.
Also Rosalie, she's the only character to actually experience abuse at it's worse, but doesn't see how blaming her beauty for her fiancé's behavior perpetuates the idea that rape is the fault of the raped when the sole responsibility is on the rapist. It's probably the reason why she can just dismiss Edward's behavior.
Alice, while many love her she almost as bad as Edward. She oftentimes manipulates Bella with her emotions and does Edwards bidding. She sees nothing wrong in forcing Bella to wear things she's uncomfortable with and go to events where she'll feel uncomfortable. She has no respect for boundaries and gets away with it because she the "cute pixie".
Bella is the worst of all of them because she simply accepts their abuse and blames herself when things go south. Her main and only concern is keeping these people in her life and is willing to endure being repeatedly abuse in order to keep them. If she had stood up for herself or been able to entertain the idea that they don't have to be in her life, she probably wouldn't have had to endure most of what she went through. If not that at least they would have been called out for it and we would be able to see these qualities in the negative light they should have been presented in.
Also Edward blames Bella often for his extreme behavior towards her. Like when he has Alice kidnap her he blames her want to see her friend and even emotionally blackmails her with her father and what makes it worse is that everyone accepts it because "he just doing it because he cares". These are qualities and actions that are written on pamphlets for victims of domestic abuse. The only person who doesn't accept his tendencies is Jacob, but he's put in the light of being just jealous, so that his viewpoint is invalid. And while I will say Jacob was wrong for kissing Bella against her own will, I won't go so far as to say it's sexual assault because if that was, then so is every movie that has a girl shut up by a kiss unexpectedly the only difference being that they reacted more favorable, but the end results the same, he doesn't kiss her until asked the next time. It seems that Jacob's abusive qualities are really only a reaction to Edward's as a way to counteract them because before Edward came back he was just simply blunt about his feelings and protective towards her with inhibiting her the way Edward does.
Also Rosalie, she's the only character to actually experience abuse at it's worse, but doesn't see how blaming her beauty for her fiancé's behavior perpetuates the idea that rape is the fault of the raped when the sole responsibility is on the rapist. It's probably the reason why she can just dismiss Edward's behavior.
Alice, while many love her she almost as bad as Edward. She oftentimes manipulates Bella with her emotions and does Edwards bidding. She sees nothing wrong in forcing Bella to wear things she's uncomfortable with and go to events where she'll feel uncomfortable. She has no respect for boundaries and gets away with it because she the "cute pixie".
Bella is the worst of all of them because she simply accepts their abuse and blames herself when things go south. Her main and only concern is keeping these people in her life and is willing to endure being repeatedly abuse in order to keep them. If she had stood up for herself or been able to entertain the idea that they don't have to be in her life, she probably wouldn't have had to endure most of what she went through. If not that at least they would have been called out for it and we would be able to see these qualities in the negative light they should have been presented in.
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