And the interesting ways you can use it in your Scholarship English Examination...

I am not here to convince you that Twilight is the greatest work of literature ever. It isn’t. But it is undeniably popular – so why does it strike the right note with the present day book- buying, film-going public?

Plot Summary Bella Swan, a teenage girl, moves from Phoenix (where she lived with her Mom) to Forks, Washington, to live with her Dad. She meets a boy at school – Edward - who she falls in love with, who turns out to be a vampire. He isn’t an ordinary vampire. Bad vampires come, and decide they want to eat Bella. Edward and his exotic vampire family save her. In the later books, Edward leaves Bella (for her own good) and she makes friends with Jacob, who turns out to be a werewolf. Love triangle ensues. Bella chooses Edward. They marry and have a half vamp child. Bella becomes a vamp herself.

Themes  The Morality of What We Eat  Animals I would eat: List  Animals I would never eat: List The vampires in Twilight differentiate themselves from other vampires by their diet. Explain.

Themes  The Other – Alterity in Twilight The Other is identified as “different” from an expected norm or known concept; thus the spelling often is capitalised. It has been used in social science to understand the processes by which societies and groups exclude 'Others' whom they want to subordinate or who do not fit into their society

1. How does Bella consider herself as Other? 2. How are the Cullens identified as Other by the people of the town of Forks? 3. How can a viewer identify the Cullens as Other? 4. How do the Cullens identify themselves as Other within the community of vampires? 5. How are Alice and Edward considered Other as individuals within the world of vampires? 6. What other group of people who could be considered Other are depicted in the films/novels?

Post Modernism and  Distinction between high and low culture mocked.  Combining subjects and genres not previously put together.  Intertextuality (handouts).  Championing the underdog and challenging prejudice, especially claims that are regarded as absolute

Themes  Free Will or Agency Characters demonstrate a capacity for Free Will. Free Will states that a person is responsible for their own life and their decisions affect the outcomes in their life. For example, the Cullens all choose to abstain from drinking human blood in the face of their very natures and the conventions of the vampire society. Can you think of other examples of characters exercising Free Will in the film? What do you think Hardwicke thinks about Free Will? Why?

Themes  Free Will or Agency The town is called “Forks” – the orginal title for the first book – which symbolises the idea of choice, and is also a cheeky hint at the idea of eating (as in knife and fork). Can you think of other examples of settings carrying symbolic meanings?

Themes  Teenage Relationships The film deals with teenage chastity and the dangers of a sexual relationship outside of marriage. But, while the story is very intense, passionate, and sensual in regards to the love between Bella and Edward, there are no sexual scenes until their marriage in the final book. They are star-crossed lovers, who have a huge obstacle between them. Edward is a vampire, and although he’s very much in love with Bella, he’s always tempted by her blood. He kisses her seductively several times. Edward tells Bella that they will never be able to be totally intimate because of his fear that he may lose control and kill her. What do you think that Meyer is saying about teenage love?

Genre The story Twilight is one of a growing number of cross-genre stories. As a novel and a film, Twilight shows features of both a romance film and a fantasy film. Romance : the central plot (the premise of the story) revolves around the romantic involvement of the story's protagonists; happy ending; Fantasy : usually involving magic, supernatural events, incredible creatures, or exotic fantasy worlds. The genre is considered to be distinct from science fiction and horror, although the genres do overlap.

Settings  Phoenix  Forks, Washington Describe each setting How is setting important? How does it link to theme?

Settings  Gothic settings – spooky and mysterious, grey and rainy weather provides cover for vampires, multiple elements of supernatural, wild and remote landscapes VS.

Imagery What does the apple represent in the Judeo-Christian tradition? Where do we see apples in the story?

Imagery Represents the Forbidden Fruit from the Garden of Eden in the Book of Genesis in Judeo-Christian scripture: Adam and Eve were banished from paradise for disobeying God's command that they not eat from the Tree of Knowledge. Many equate the apple to the forbidden fruit, possibly because the apple retains its shape and colour even after a bite is taken from it. The apple can also be a symbol of erotic desire, eternal youth or choice.

Imagery And so the lion fell in love with the lamb Discuss.

Imagery  In real life a lion would never fall in love with a lamb, they are enemies, the lion would like nothing more than to kill the lamb and eat it. Thus it is a symbol of the normal relationship between hunter and hunted, vampire and human. The quote is a reference to the Bible, from Isaiah 11:6 “the wolf shall dwell with the lamb... There shall be no harm or ruin on my holy mountain“. The Lion falling for the Lamb is the ultimate sign of peace.  Further on Edward states, "What a sick masochistic lion" meaning it’s wrong and Edward dislikes himself for not having any control, then Bella simply states "What a stupid lamb“.  Lamb can be a symbol of weakness and also of sacrifice. I heart Lamb

 What makes a “Bad Guy” ?  Is Edward a Bad Guy?  Are Vampires usually Bad Guys?  Antagonist vs. Protagonist?