Descent into Twilight

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. - Genesis 2:17

Unless you've been living in a cave somewhere, you've probably heard of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. The books, movies, music, & posters populate our culture. We're bombarded with images of Bella & Edward. No doubt all of you have an opinion of Twilight, whether good, bad, or indifferent... But regardless of whether your a obsessed teen-age fan or a horrified college student (can you guess which I am? :P), Twilight is in our culture. It needs to be addressed... So without further eloquence, here are my thoughts:

Girls love "love stories." Surely this comes as no surprise to anyone. Girls love Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice... we love Bronte's Jane Eyre and Gaskell's Wives & Daughters. We rejoice when Aragorn & Arwen reunite, when Anne & Gil finally marry, when Prince Charming kisses the Sleeping Beauty, some of us even wish the Pan had never left his Wendy. A girl's desire for marriage and family are God given. However, romance novels are not healthy; they make reality seem less than satisfying. Twilight is a romance novel for teenagers. The whole plot revolves around Bella's relationship with Edward. She admits it herself, "I was consumed by the mystery that Edward presented. And more than a little obsessed by Edward himself" (p.67). Bella's whole world is Edward; he is her idol. Everything in her life is in relation to him. Her thoughts, her emotions, her behaviors -- all in direct connection to Edward.

The problem with Bella is her bad example. Girls reading this novel want their existence to be for one man. And that's the problem. We weren't created to exist for each other. We live to glorify God alone. Yes, we do love, marry, and work together in marriage. But neither the husband or the wife lives solely unto the other. Other concerns include, Bella's disrespect for her father and mother & lying about her relationship with Edward.

Edward is just as beastly. Ok. Pun not intended. For a guy that's a hundred years old, he sure is selfish. Several times during the course of the novel, Edward warns Bella to protect herself... by staying away from him. "It would be more... prudent for you not to be my friend. But I'm tired of staying away from you Bella" (p.84). Seven lines later, Edward continues, "You really should stay away from me. I'll see you in class" (p.84). I'll admit I have trouble keeping up with his roller coaster of emotions. The "I want to be with you, but I could hurt you... so I'm going to follow you around, until we quasi-date, even though I could easily kill you... " is terribly shallow to me. Where is the depth of morality? The dying to yourself for the other? Edward cannot "help" himself. Is he really that noble? He gives in... but keeps warning Bella to flee. How can she flee if he is constantly around?

The immorality. Everyone has different standards for appropriate behavior in a dating/courting relationship. I'm not here to say my way is best. But, a girl being alone with a boy in her bedroom without the knowledge of her father is inappropriate! Bella and Edward's privacy was awkward to read. The level of the intimacy between them was strange considering the early stages of their relationship. (Um, wait until marriage anyone?) Excessive contact between the sexes is not a lesson we want young ones to learn.

Despite my criticism, I'll admit... I want to know how the series ends. Despite every flaw, despite every frustration, I want to know what happens. The avid reader in me craves an ending, a conclusion, a resolution. All that being said, I would not recommend this series to any young girl. The danger is too great... Meyer's Twilight is too wrapped up in the crush world to be edifying for anyone. The problems with her characters are too numerous to be a healthy read. The themes of love, obsession, and secrets are not admirable.

However, my English professor had another theory; she proposed that Twilight's central theme was self-control. James, the vampire who believes in wholly in unbridled passions, lusts after Bella's blood, and it destroys him. Edward MUST control himself not to prey on Bella; even when he drinks her blood, he does so only to save her life. Metaphorically sucking out the poisonous venom of James' philosophy of life. Maybe, Dr. Juckett has a point... Meyer's Twilight may have a message of self-control. I can certainly see it now. From the cover with the "tempting" fruit to the quotation of Genesis 2:17... yep, the message IS there. I just wish it was more clear. Having read the book myself, the message is murky and dark. I think I'll stick to books with clearer messages... rather than make the descent into darkness. The descent into Twilight.

Pitfalls of the Feminist Ideology -- Part 3

Part 3
Seeing the pitfalls of feminism requires one to spend a fair amount of time assessing the situation of women prior to the first feminist wave as well as their current standpoint. Many women do not seem to take this time and quickly align themselves with the feminists on the basis of a woman’s right to recognition as an equal citizen and equal pay for women in the workplace.

In so doing, they fail to see how the feminist view affects the aspects of life previously discussed. The feminist movement could be reformed if more women educated themselves on these subjects. Women have a duty to themselves and to their daughters to truly evaluate the consequences of feminist action, on their livelihood as well as that of men. If more women considered how their actions affected the men in their lives, they could help them develop a fitting view of women, establishing themselves as equals, but maintaining their femininity. It is easy to be caught up in sweeping rhetoric that speaks of women’s empowerment.

However, women and all Americans must remain alert, for we are entering an age of complacency. We often do what is easy or expected of us to avoid actually evaluating situations for ourselves. It is a slippery slope that if we are not cautious will continue to open us up to manipulation through other ideologies. There is hope for a generation of young women and men who, realizing the ideas behind feminism could turn the nation toward a reformed perspective. [One] appreciated for the characteristics which distinguish them from men.

- Danielle Martinez

This is the last and final part. Thanks Dee for all your hard work. :)

Pitfalls of the Feminist Ideology -- Part 2

Part 2

Feminism has also had a profound effect on women’s ideas of marriage and family. It was previously and, according to a study conducted by Yale University, is still subconsciously accepted that men and women have designated roles. As stated in the last paragraph, the second wave of feminism disregarded the idea of gender roles, which mirrored the older perspective on roles within marriage. Men worked outside the home as breadwinners and women functioned as help-meets by working within the home. Women saw themselves in relationship to their husbands and children.

Feminism has encouraged women to view themselves, not as members of the family unit, but as individuals. This has caused women to focus more on their personal fulfillment. Many women have sought this fulfillment in careers outside the home. As a result, more American families have both parents working outside the home, which keeps both mother and father from spending much time with their children.

Parental involvement can have a profound effect on childhood and adolescent behavior. An article in the February 2008 edition of The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter stated that familial involvement “reduced the risk of problem behaviors from early to late adolescence… [and] led to significant reductions in youth arrest rates throughout adolescence, as well as the likelihood of a youth being diagnosed with a substance use disorder by the age of 18.” This makes logical sense. If a child realizes that his parents are monitoring his actions and are prepared to provide and carry out consequences for those actions, he will likely think twice before engaging in objectionable behaviors. While it may not be the only contributing factor, feminism has contributed to a shift of American ideas on marriage and, in so doing, the family.

- Danielle Martinez

Pitfalls of the Feminist Ideology - Part 1

My good friend Danielle wrote a paper on the Feminist movement, and she has graciously agreed to let me post some of it here on my blog.





Part 1

[The] second feminist wave blurred the line of gender distinction in its attempt to eliminate discrimination on the basis of gender. I believe this has resulted in even more tension between the sexes. Now, men are not sure how they should relate to women. Many now second-guess their actions, wondering if the simple act of holding a door open for a woman will be graciously received or viewed as a slight, as though she is incapable of caring for herself.

The more recent tendency for women to take control or “wear the pants” in relationships with men also directly spawns from the second feminist wave. It is now considered acceptable for women to initiate romantic relationships and engage in “one night stands” on a regular basis. This kind of behavior was limited to men before the sexual liberation movement of the 1960s, which attempted to free women from sexual repression by society and exploitation at the hands of men. Unfortunately, while many women feel free to do as they please with their bodies, they have no idea that they are encouraging the very male attitudes they abhor. Before the sexual revolution, women saw themselves as powerless within romantic relationships and felt that men regarded them as sexual objects. They sought power by stepping into a more masculine role within their relationships, seeking out prospective partners on the basis of personal gratification.

As a result, women began leading more promiscuous sex lives, having intercourse more often and with a greater number of partners. Allowing men to enjoy the benefits of a marital relationship apart from commitment has only encouraged men to objectify women. Men cannot be held solely responsible for this attitude, because women have perpetuated it. The only difference between the feminist view of casual sex and prostitution is the monetary reimbursement. This attitude toward casual sex also devalues marriage by making what should be prized and reserved for the marriage bed commonplace.

Interestingly enough, Alexis de Tocqueville, a young Frenchmen who approved of young America’s democratic system, foresaw possible complications of gender consolidation back in the 1830s. In his book, Democracy in America, he wrote “It is easy to see that, in this ambition to make the one sex equal to the other, both are demeaned and that, from this crude mixing of nature’s works, will emerge weak men and immodest women.”

- Danielle Martinez

Generally Whiggish

Random thoughts for today...

World War 1 - Could this have been prevented if men had pursued justice instead of aggression/revenge/blood lust?

World War 2 - Often considered the good war... Is war ever good? Obviously it is necessary given the state of man, but does that make it good? Or is that just semantics?

Speaking of semantics, linguistics is a fascinating field to study:
How do you pronounce these words?
Pin/Pen
Caught/Cot
Are they the same? I love language change. It really is too cool.

For those of you who are economic addicts:
http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/

TTFN

P.S. I've been told I would make a good whig... hence the title.

My 21st Birthday

Classes were awesome! I got to visit with Dee & Sean. Then after meeting with my English professor, I met Dee (again) for lunch! After BUSA 320, I rushed to meet Mama, Daniel, & Grandpa.... We then traveled to Outback where we met my Dad. Where, I got my last birthday speech from my Dad (until I get married)...My dad always seems to have great words of wisdom to impart to me. Even so, on my birthday, Dad seems to out-do himself. He told me about how on 21st birthdays the world tells young men and women my age that they are responsible enough to handle certain responsibilities, such as alcohol. Daddy continued to say that he and mom had considered me responsible enough for several years and were very proud of me. He told me about how God had grown me in his grace. But, he stressed with me the danger of complacency and the need for perseverance. "Laura, you may feel tempted to think that you have arrived, and in many ways you have." But, I cannot stay this way. I must keep striving for the goal of sanctification. I will never achieve perfection this side of glory, but that is not a license for sin.

After we enjoyed a tasty meal, we went home to play 500 rummy and open gifts!

Did anyone else watch the VP debate? Not the way I wanted to end my birthday, but the parties didn't consult me on the date. :P

what's the difference?

Men and Women are different. Whoa! Big shock! Stop the presses! We have to get this news out and now!

Please. Most of us know that men and women are different. It's not a mystery. However, it is something that American culture tries to suppress and forget about. This suppression results in heartache and confusion for so many people.

Taking time away from school work this week, I began to read John Piper's what's the difference? for the women's book study. This book is amazing. I have only read 2 chapters, and I already feel encouraged and challenged. I must recommend this book to anyone who is confused about the roles for men and women, but also for those of us who need a little encouragement now and then.

Excerpts:
At the heart of mature masculinity is a sense of benevolent responsibility to lead, provide for and protect women in ways appropriate to a man's differing relationships.

At the heart of mature femininity is a freeing disposition to affirm, receive and nurture strength and leadership from worthy men in ways appropriate to women's differing relationships.

Our culture denies such truths

Psalm 127:3
"Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward."

During the Sunday morning service, we read Psalm 127. I was again struck by this verse, and the joy of God's covenant favor. But, it also came to mind how many in our nation view children as a burden or even "tissue" that can be thrown away. Thanks be to God who gave us our "right to life." May God grant the leaders in our country this knowledge that they suppress.

Superheroes

Superheroes. They come in black, red, blue, and green. Some are huge and muscular; others are average height and weight. Some have superpowers beyond belief: they have regenerative capabilities, the ability to fly, see through walls, shoot webs, use telekinesis, communicate telepathically, transform into a giant superhuman, and that’s just to name a few. Others are ordinary men; they used their wealth to make themselves heroes that evil-doers fear. With great gadgets and armor, they don’t need the powers that other superheroes were blessed with.

Given gifts of power (or mutation) to protect others: one defends a city, even when that means his job, relationship, and schooling will suffer… another cannot live a normal life; his friends see him only as a nerdy reporter, but adore his alter ego… many protect and would die for those who hate, even persecute them for their gifts... one man will forgo his love to protect the world from a power-hunger man bent on destruction…

These ones sometimes struggle with the heroic deeds they have been chosen for… But ultimately, any of them would sacrifice everything to do the right thing. Others chose to be the one who would sacrifice: one tries to live up to the legacy his father left under the cover of darkness… Without a secret identity, another tries to change the legacy his father created.
Maybe all you recognize the superheroes I am taking about: Spiderman, Superman, The X-Men, The Hulk, Batman, and Iron Man. Why do we love them so much? Nobility, justice, sacrifice, responsibility, and morality are all qualities that superheroes personify. (Even while wearing great costumes!)

This month and perhaps even continuing into September, I plan to post several superhero themed posts… I hope you enjoy random trivia and thoughts on superheroes.