Thoughts on Bella

Note: This is not objective as it is more my personal reflections on Bella and how we relate. Just sort of some interesting things I noticed and that I find relevant to me and my life. If you're looking for facts or an objective in-depth analysis on Bella's character, try somewhere else.

Bella is an interesting character for me personally for several reasons, but I finally figured out the biggest one once I finished reading Twilight: I was never Bella when reading Twilight. I was always Luna looking in on Bella and Edward - I never connected to her. On Stephenie Meyer's site in the FAQ, she says "I left out a detailed description of Bella in the book so that the reader could more easily step into her shoes." This may be true, but I always knew Bella looked nothing like me. The only thing we have in common is very fair skin. In terms of everything else, it is not the same. I just knew she had brown hair and that was actually a big thing in making me not able to see myself as Bella or see a situation like herself. I have very very very very natural blonde hair that is a white-gold color. I have never had any color close to brown and no one in my immediate family has brown hair. So, it may sound silly to others, but I cannot imagine being brunette. Being a minority (hair-color-wise) in the US has imprinted in my mind that I am different and I recognize it readily.

So, now maybe you are saying, "Well, that's a pretty stupid reason to say that you could never step into Bella's shoes." However, there are also major differences in personality that I cannot overlook. Several situations arose that I knew I would never do, things I would never say, and some instances would never have happened. I am naturally curious, but Bella's curiosity is much different than mine. She also speaks very intelligently, but some actions are not so intelligent, as if she never connected the ideas or is a total different person. I put much more thought into what I say when I first meet a person, and even more into my actions. In a strange place or a stressful situation, I think out things fully and take control when I formulate a plan. Of course, we are going to differ on things, that is to be expected. What I am saying is, I don't see much of myself in Bella. Her character is too distinctly different from mine for me to connect.

Now, why did I go into all that? Because I see so many fans saying that they connected with Bella and the like, and I realized that I saw no one like me - a person who didn't really have anything in common with Isabella Swan.

I feel as though Bella and I would be friends if we ever had the pleasure of meeting. Our differences would make things interesting and we would be able to play off each others strengths and weaknesses. Soooo, what point am I really try to make through all this text?

The point is that I was interested in Bella because she was different. In so many other books and stories, I connect with the main character or another character because we have some or a great amount in common. That is why it is so interesting to me. I am bewildered by Bella's character. It is like nothing I have ever been and probably ever will be.

So what to say to Stephenie Meyer's want for the reader to "easily step into her shoes?" Well, sorry Mrs. Meyer. Didn't work for me. But, it is because of that that I love Twilight and Isabella Swan so much.

take it back?