twilight lovers! discussion

Going to try reigniting a conversation here.

So one of the most perplexing parts of the Twilight Saga for me is when Jacob assaults Bella in Eclipse and how everyone subsequently reacts to that. Firstly, because best friends don't assault each other. Secondly, because Bella forgives Jacob and moves on so easily. Thirdly, because the Chief of Police congratulates Jacob on committing assault, though admittedly Charlie is only told Jacob kissed Bella initially. Yet all of these factors made this chapter shocking to read and it still seems a bit out of character while simultaneously an interesting revelation of character for Bella, Edward, and Jacob. I'm currently writing a small fanfiction account of how things could have gone differently.

Did this chapter elicit anything in particular for you as you read it?

An wrote: "Going to try reigniting a conversation here.

So one of the most perplexing parts of the Twilight Saga for me is when Jacob assaults Bella in Eclipse and how everyone subsequently reacts to that. ..."

I was absolutely enraged when I read that part of the book. I thought Jacob would've at least had the decency to let her go when she started struggling. Since when did slapping and shoving at someone's chest constitute as "responding back" to a kiss? Excuse me Jacob?

I have to agree with you that their reactions weren't in line with their characters for all of them which threw me off. I was amazed when Charlie just congratulated smug Jacob while his obvious upset daughter was right there. If Charlie thought things through, he would've realized that the kiss obviously wasn't consensual and I think he would've been upset with Jacob then. But I guess Charlie just wasn't thinking.

I'm glad that Edward told Jacob off, but it wasn't for the reason that I wanted so I was disgruntled. I was even more disgruntled when Bella just foRgAvE Jacob. Just like that. Bruh.

When you're done with your fan fiction, could you share it with us? It'd be such a comfort to see Jacob getting a piece of Bella's mind over this.

Thank you so much for bringing this up. I will never be a Jacob and Bella shipper because of this.

Noonecansinkmyship wrote: "An wrote: "Going to try reigniting a conversation here.

So one of the most perplexing parts of the Twilight Saga for me is when Jacob assaults Bella in Eclipse and how everyone subsequently react..."

Thank you for your eloquent reply! That was so well said and I completely agree with everything! This scene alone is also the reason I could never be Team Jacob.

I'd be happy to share the fanfiction musings I come up with. I'm not an expert writer, but I hope others can enjoy it as I do.

Everyone has to start somewhere and I’m so excited to read whatever you come up with.

If it’s any comfort, just about anything’s better than Jacob’s assault, everyone’s obliviousness and Bella’s miraculous forgiveness. So don’t feel pressured or anything! I’m sure I’ll enjoy your fan fic. :)

I think another interesting question is why did the movie take such a drastic departure from the events of the book in portraying this sequence?

In the movie, Jacob's assault is briefer, less extensive, and barely includes Bella struggling to get away from him. The way it is shot, it almost looks like Bella might have been participating in the kiss for a moment before she thinks better of it and gets mad. (Rewatch it on slow motion for yourself--do you agree?: https://youtu.be/-bG0iKaxQYM?t=83) In the film Edward appears without Bella's invitation at Charlie’s house and is portrayed as out of control, possessive, and aggressive, which is the opposite of his reaction in the book.

Edward spoke in a voice so peaceful and gentle that it made the words strangely more threatening. “I’m not going to kill you now, because it would upset Bella.” Eclipse

Jacob’s joy and pride in his assault are exchanged for a grim demeanor that implies he views the assault as a mistake and which he deems a “misunderstanding”. Charlie's approval of Jacob's assault is removed from the script as is his laughter over Bella's injury, replaced with concerned and contemplative facial expressions. Even Bella's role in the encounter, arguably the most accurate, takes liberties in making her the character who tries to desperately stop the aggressive standoff between Edward and Jacob, while in the book she is asking for Edward to kill Jacob and inquiring about a baseball bat to go after him herself.

Perhaps someone knows of an interview or article that comments on why the movie made these adaptation choices or someone would like to share their personal theory on the matter? Was the film adaption team trying to cut screen time? Did they think viewers would enjoy a stand-off between Jacob and Edward? Did they agree how the book portrayed things wasn't believable or appropriate? Was Meyer involved in reshaping the events?

I am inclined to say such drastic changes in this critical scene were meant to appease Jacob lovers and create entertainment value in the male-vs-male face off. However, it was a disappointing adaptation, whatever the reason. At least they honored and included the book's fabulous exchange between Bella and Emmett.

"Trying to walk and chew gum at the same time again Bella?"

"I punched a werewolf in the face."

"Badass!"

Eclipse (film)

I just watched the video that you posted and from to me, it looked like she was startled (hence the many eye blinks) and then she shoves him off. It didn't look like she enjoyed it to me. I don't understand why she didn't look furious, all there was was a lip curl that's about it. :0 Disappointed. I wish she looked incensed.

Honestly, I did not like the way that this scene's portrayed. Bella's relegated to the cliche, "Boys don't fight over me!" role which is irritating to say the least. Before she was ready to go at Jacob for assaulting her and now she's all limpid and damsel in distressy. :/ "Ohh I tried to punch my assaulter and broke my hand! But I'm not going to let my boyfriend at him either because I'm a pure and delicate soul!" (Sorry if I'm offending someone out there. This is just how I see this scene.)

I'm also really annoyed that they made Jacob seem all apologetic and not actually apologize. Bruh. If you regret breaking her trust by assaulting her, aPoLoGizE.

I'm also irritated about the Edward was portrayed because Edward hardly ever gets mad in the story because in the book, Edward's wise and mature which Bella prefers over Jacob's impulsive puppy boy aura (before he turns into a shape shifter wolf, it was more palpable).

I guess the director or screen writers thought that since Edward had such a violent reaction to the Port Angeles scene, he would have one here too. But as Edward's words in the book after the forced kiss indicated, his first priority is Bella's safety. And since Bella was furious enough for both of them, Edward chose to take the high road and take calmly take control of the situation and deal with it while the normally mature and rational Bella was in a raging fit. Edward got her back, but also let her justified anger run its course.

Which is why the book scene doesn't make sense. Suddenly, Bella's not mad anymore even though she was mad enough to punch him earlier. And now she's the ✨peacemaker✨. I was so irritated when I watched that scene. Where's the righteous anger of the assaulted victim! :/ Jacob's reaction in the book shows his immaturity which another reason why sensible mature Bella's love burns brighter for the intelligent mature Edward. I don't care how hot Taylor Lautner is sorry. :)

Noonecansinkmyship wrote: "Everyone has to start somewhere and I’m so excited to read whatever you come up with.

If it’s any comfort, just about anything’s better than Jacob’s assault, everyone’s obliviousness and Bella’s ..."

I am sorry to say that my fiancé broke up with me and I have been unable to finish the story while I've been grieving. If you would like to read the rough draft, I can send it to you over private message.

The topic is a bit old but I'd like to give some feedback that hopefully makes the sequence of events a bit more understandable.

1) As early as book two Bella tells Jacob during the movie they go to watch with Mike that she "likes him better than all her friends". She also spends a lot of time wishing he was her "family so that she could have a legitimate claim to him". This is even before book three where their relationship becomes more pronounced to the point that she basically has a conversation with him when he's in wolf form without any translation from Edward.
These few examples out of so many are just me showing that Jacob was a really big part of Bella's life and she was never going to cut him off over one mistake. It's a bad mistake but it wasn't borne of malice nor was he trying to hurt Bella, his inexperience with girls coupled with supernatural strength misinterpreted her struggling for something else, Jacob wouldn't knowingly hold Bella against her will.

2) Despite all this Bella does not "easily" forgive him, that's the most angry she has been at anyone including James and Laurent who were both trying to murder her. She calls Edward and tells him about the kiss and punch commenting on how she didn't hurt him at all. He offers to "fix that" which leads her to say "I was hoping you would say that" and even him (who hates Jacob) says that's unlike her. So yes she was very angry and remained angry till her graduation party where she gives him a very cold reception despite the discomfort and risk he put himself in by coming to a vampire crib for her sake:

"Jacob was waving at me, calmer than the others, though his nose was wrinkled in disgust. I waved back — waved goodbye — and turned to look for Alice."

She even tells him to take his gift for her back to the store. It isn't until he totally loses his confidence that she relents because she always hates to see him sad or in pain:

“Fine. Apology accepted. Now, if you’ll just excuse me for a moment . . .”
“Okay,” he mumbled, and his voice was so
different from before that I stoppd searching for
Alice and scrutinized his face. He was staring at the floor, hiding his eyes. His lower lip jutted out
just a little bit.
“I guess you’d rather be with your real friends,”
he said in the same defeated tone. “I get it.”
I groaned. “Aw, Jake, you know that’s not fair.”
“Do I?”
“You should.” I leaned forward, peering up,
trying to look into his eyes. He looked up then,
over my head, avoiding my gaze.
“Jake?”
He refused to look at me.
“Hey, you said you made me something, right?”
I asked. “Was that just talk? Where’s my
present?”

Her forgiveness only comes after his confidence drops and he's basically at the point of tears thinking she hates him.
As for the reaction of her father, Jacob is about 16 or so in the books and younger than Bella so he probably just looks at it as a teenager being cheeky and stealing a kiss as he's not told the full story