Monday, December 6, 2010

Fictional Moral Standards

Yesterday Sarcastically Delicious (aka boyfriend) and I were at Wal-Mart buying goodies for the big Sunday night football game, Steelers versus Ravens (woot! woot! Go Steelers!). As we headed for the check-out we passed a table of cakes specifically decorated in honor for the release of Eclipse the movie on DVD. Jacob, Edward, and Bella all depicted in sugary, sparkly icing.

This of course got Sarcastically Delicious ranting and wondering why so many girls swoon for Edward. I explained it probably had something to do with his impeccable manners, his immaculate teenage body, combined with the wisdom of a ninety year old.

Sarcastically Delicious balked when I said ninety, and then retorted, "So you're telling me that Edward, a ninety year old man, got it on with an eighteen year old girl?!?"

"Well, technically, they were married when that happened," I argued.

"Doesn't matter. That's sick. He's a pedophile," Sarcastically Delicious said, his face wrinkled in disgust.

Of course I vehemently argued that Edward was not a pedophile of any sort. But, if you know Sarcastically Delicious, he is not an easy person to debate with because he uses such outlandish arguments. He argued that if a 30 year old woman got stuck in the body of a baby, then according to Edward, it would be ok if Sarcastically Delicious took that baby out on a date. Because despite how the baby looks, it has the intellect and abilities of a thirty year old.

Sigh. What do you guys think?

4 comments:

  1. LOL. I have asked the same questions. This is the kind of plot element that no one would have questioned if the books hadn't become mega-huge. :)

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  2. This is always the issue with vampires, and probably part of the allure. They are powerful enough to kill you. They are old enough to satisfy any father issues you may have. They are anachronistic and offer the chivalry and manners long lost in our modern times. But when it comes down to it you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, right? Edward may look 17 but he's mentally 90. If Meyer is saying that he's still mentally 17, then that's a different story. But if he's mentally 90 in wisdom, experience, and emotion then it's wrong. Would it be okay for Bruce Willis to date a 16/17 year as a 50 year old even though he still looks great? Would it be okay for you to date your brother if you were put in a different body?

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  3. LOL. Optional Delusion you are too funny and so correct. And yes, Natalie you're right, as well. The only reason people analyze this series to little pieces is because of how successful it is. Thanks for dropping by guys.

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  4. I never believed Edward was that old. Like, as a reader. Suspension of disbelief did not happen for me on that one.

    But I also think, even if I had felt like the dynamics between Bella and Edward were real (the psychological implications of their relationship, etc.), I think it would be okay.

    Because, yeah, he's 90. But he's not-human-90. For humans, that age implies a state of degeneration, a closeness to death. (Which is ironic, because Edward IS dead.) But I think when you involve the supernatural, you've got to approach this type of relationship from a completely different angle; it may not be normal, but it might be okay. It's very subjective.

    Haha, I totally didn't mean to wax philosophical on you--but it's a good question!

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