The Final Chapter
Deanna Schneider
ENG 225
Instructor Danielle Day
May 14, 2013

Breaking Dawn is the long awaited and highly anticipated end to the compelling tale of what seems to be an impossible romance between the immortal Edward Cullen and the irresistible human Bella Swan. Beginnings can be tricky, but Twilight got this series off to a fantastic start with its modern day fairy tale quality and heart stopping romance. Bella seems to be pulled in one direction by her intense passion for Edward Cullen, and in another by her profound connection to werewolf Jacob Black She has endured a tumultuous year of temptation, loss and strife to reach the ultimate turning point. Her imminent choice, to either join the dark but seductive world of immortals or pursue a fully human life, has become the thread from which the fate of two tribes hangs. Now that Bella has made her decision, a startling chain of unprecedented events is about to unfold with potentially devastating and unfathomable consequences. Just when the frayed strands of Bella’s life – first discovered in Twilight, then scattered and torn in New Moon and Eclipse – seem ready to heal and knit together, could they be destroyed… forever? The setting of this book is in a rainy town in Washington called Forks, where Edward Cullen, a gorgeous “good” vampire, first dazzled Isabella Swan, an average human being. After facing many complications to their relationship, they realize that they want nothing more than to keep the other safe, and agree to be engaged. Edward’s adopted family consists of Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie, Jasper, Emmett, & Alice. Bella, is an only child, and lives with her father, Charlie Swan. Jacob Black, a werewolf who dislikes the Cullen’s because of what they are, “pale faces,” is Bella’s best friend. He has been there for her ever since she first came to Forks.
When Bella found out about Edward’s immortal life, she has wanted nothing more than to be just like him: a graceful, stunning, powerful, and beautiful creature. She continuously begs Edward to change her into a vampire, but he doesn’t want her to become a monster. He thinks it would be too dangerous, so Bella is forced to wait patiently for the “right time” for Edward to agree. Edward and Bella have an interesting bond. Bella’s blood smells extremely tempting to Edward, “Like my own personal brand of heroin.” He states, more tempting than any other human’s blood. Edward must control himself and have power over these temptations, because he truly loves her and doesn’t want to hurt her. Bella thinks that her becoming a vampire will solve this problem, but Edward claims that she is his the one he has been waiting for and will do anything to keep her safe. Breaking Dawn was split into three separate parts. The first part details Bella and Edward’s elaborate outside wedding that took place in the Cullen’s backyard. During the reception following her wedding to Edward, Bella is visited by her friend Jacob Black. When Bella admits that she and Edward plan to consummate their marriage during their honeymoon, Jacob becomes angry but is held back by his pack. He then runs off into the woods, and Edward takes an upset Bella back to the reception. They spend their honeymoon on a remote island near the coast of Brazil. Isle Esme was a wedding present to Esme from Carlisle. Although hesitant, Edward has sex with Bella for the first time. After, Edward realizes that he bruised Bella's arm, back and shoulders during sex and he vows to never be intimate with her again, much to her disappointment; he later gives in to her seductions. Shortly after, Bella realizes that she might possibly be pregnant. Instantly Alice, who is able to see Bella’s future, calls Edwards’s cell phone to see what is wrong. Alice is no longer able to read Bella’s future and Carlisle confirms Bella’s suspicion; the couple makes plans to return soon after. The fetus develops rapidly, an occurrence that prompts Edward to request she gets an abortion. Unperturbed, Bella resists his pleas and contacts Rosalie, who has wanted children of her own and understands why Bella is risking her life for the fetus. The novel's second part is written from the perspective of shape-shifter Jacob Black, and lasts throughout Bella's pregnancy and childbirth. Jacob's Quileute wolf pack, not knowing what danger the unborn child may pose to the town; plan to destroy it, also killing Bella. Jacob vehemently protests this decision and leaves, forming his own pack with Leah and Seth Clearwater. Four weeks after conception Bella violently gives birth to the child. In the process she loses a great deal of blood and suffers multiple broken bones. To save her life Edward is forced to embrace and turn Bella into a vampire by injecting his venom into her heart. Jacob, who was present for the birth, rejected the newborn child when he believed that Bella had passed away. After mourning the loss of his best friend, Jacob angrily goes inside to destroy the child, but when their eyes meet he immediately "imprints"—an involuntary response in which a shape-shifter finds his soul mate—on Edward and Bella's newborn daughter, Renesmee. The beginning of Breaking Dawn Part two starts right where part one left off, Bella awakens transformed. She is now a mother and finally a vampire. While her husband Edward delights in her beauty, speed, and uncommon self-control, newborn Bella has never felt more alive; and the destiny of her best friend Jacob Black has become entwined in that of their exceptional daughter Renesmee. The arrival of a creature so rare cements an extended family, but will soon ignite forces that threaten to destroy them all. Irina misidentifies Renesmee as an "immortal child", a child who has been turned into a vampire. Because "immortal children" are uncontrollable, creating them has been outlawed by the Volturi. After Irina presents her allegation to the Volturi, they plan to destroy Renesmee and the Cullen’s. In an attempt to survive, the Cullen’s gather other vampire clans from around the world to witness that Renesmee is not an immortal child. In the Cullen’s darkest hour, Alice and Jasper have left without any explanation. When the time comes to confront the Volturi, Carlisle asks if they may discuss the situation as they used to do. Before Aro is able to determine what he will do, Alice finally returns so that she may show them that Renesmee does not pose a threat to the vampires. Alice holds out her hand so that she may show Aro when suddenly it turns into the most epic fight scene you have ever seen. After countless vampires lose their lives the scene is then brought back to the moment when Alice "shows" Aro her proof, revealing that the entire battle scene was a vision of his demise if he proceeds with his plan to destroy them. The new witnesses, Huilen and her half-vampire nephew, Nahuel, tell their story, revealing that they are actually much like pure vampires, but merely more human. The Volturi then leave in peace at Aro's confirmation that no danger is involved. As they leave, Aro glances back at Alice, then Bella, realizing that he has given up much to save his annihilation. The Cullens and their allies take a moment to rejoice in their victory. The Romanians demand to launch an attack, but no one is willing to follow, prompting their ambition to an end. The vision was his future, if he didn’t pardon the Cullen’s. Being that it would mean losing most of his followers and being killed himself, he reconsidered. The Twilight Saga is and will forever be an iconic series for years to come. I felt as if the saga was a modern day Romeo and Juliet, and the theme for the series has been to not judge others prior to knowing them, and that genuine, true love can accomplish great things.

References:
Shmoop University Inc, 2013. Retrieved from, http://www.shmoop.com/breaking-dawn/literary-devices.html
Goodykoontz & Jacobs (2011). Film, From Watching To Seeing. Ashford University, Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Retrieved from, https://content.ashford.edu/books/AUENG225.11.2/
Screen Rant, 2003-2013. LLC: TV, movie news and reviews. Retrieved from, http://screenrant.com/twilight-breaking-dawn-synopsis-sandy-86377/
Myers, Stephenie, July 7, 2008. The Official Website of Stephenie Myers. Retrieved from, http://stepheniemeyer.com/breakingdawn.html