A guy reads Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (2009-2011)

Reading New Moon (Chapter 24): Vote

The song for this chapter is We Need Each Other by Sanctus Real

[audio:https://twilightguy.com/music/weneedeachother.mp3]

Ah yes: the final chapter of New Moon. When I opened the book to read this, I found myself remembering how this felt when I read the final chapter of Twilight: like the closing of one part of Bella and Edward’s story and the opening of another.

As I have pointed out so many times in recent chapters, the story of New Moon has been circular, and thus I get a feeling that things are returning to the way they were before Edward left. As Edward races through the woods with Bella, I can’t help but remember this scene in Twilight — when the love between them was fresh and new. It seems to be a sign that it is growing back again out of the pain in the recent months.

It is a sign of a good writer when the story has connections within itself, things that draw us back to earlier scenes and strengthen the entire story. The strongest example of this was in Chapter 24. We all remember the various escapades that Bella had with the motorcycles, trying to throw herself into something dangerous in order to distract her from Edward, but at the same time trying to make his voice return to her head. Then, in chapter 24, whilst clinging to Edward and going through the woods:

“The speed was exhilarating. A hundred times better than a motorcycle.”

That is the connection. Bella does not need the motorcycle anymore to feel alive. She has Edward.

It is in this way that I see not only a return to the beginning of New Moon, but a return to the beginning of Edward and Bella again, back when things were new and alive. This is the only way for them to heal their relationship: go back to how it was before, when their love was strong.

I found it so surprising how much had been missed, and how much things would have been different if only the truth had been known. Though Edward had thought Bella would have forgotten him, instead she thought of him every day, and nearly every breath revolved around keeping his memory alive in her head. Though Bella thought that Edward didn’t love her any more, the whole time he had been tortured since leaving her. Though Bella thought that Edward had disappeared, taking with him all reminders that he had ever existed, Edward reveals that in fact, they had always been there:

“Your things were never gone,” he told me. “[…] It was stupid and childish, but I wanted to leave something of myself with you. The CD, the pictures, the tickets — they’re all under your floorboards.”

These things exist, to me at least, as outwards signs of Edward’s love for Bella. They were physical signs of different times in their relationship: the CD Edward had made for her, the pictures of them together, the tickets. And just as they were never gone, and were near to Bella all the time, so was Edward’s love for her, though it was hidden until Bella went looking for it again.

And then, it comes down to the vote: should Bella become a vampire? Yes, I see so many reasons for it. How will Bella ever be able to protect herself from Victoria, or the Volturi, if the come for her? Edward can’t be beside her at every moment of every day.

Almost all of the Cullens vote on Bella’s side, and I’m sure that many also believe that Bella should be turned into a vampire right then. But what is it that is holding Edward up? Why does he dislike the idea so much to have Bella for eternity with him?

It must be understood how hard a decision it must be for Edward not to turn Bella into a vampire. The main result of her staying human means that one day, she will die, and Edward will be left alone. Why for any reason would he want that? Perhaps Edward, as connected with Bella as he is, knows that it is better for her to stay human as long as she can, and enjoy her life, rather than turn to a vampire and be with him forever.

Still, they come to a compromise, and Bella receives a promise that Edward will turn her one day. Is Edward perhaps hoping she will changer her mind before then? Or is it that really, deep down inside, he still has hope that he is not really such a demon after all.

“If you really believe you had lost your soul, then when I found you in Volterra, you would have realized immediately what was happening, instead of thinking we were both dead together. But you didn’t — you said ‘Amazing. Carlisle was right,” I reminded him […]

There is hope within Edward that he is redeemable. There is also hope within him that one day, they will spend eternity together.

Charlie, understandably, is not happy with Bella’s fierce decision to stay in Forks regardless of what he thinks. After all, if I was Charlie, I would be a bit wary of this Edward fellow… even without knowing that he is of the species persuasion to drink one’s blood. I keep wondering how Bella will ever break the news to him; moreso, how he will react.

And the proposal? I will admit: it was one thing I was not spoilered on in New Moon. I was not expecting it to happen so quickly. Yes, I was surprised 😀

My final thoughts on the Epilogue are forthcoming.

——NOTES——

– Speaking of voting…keep voting to pick the song for New Moon! I just heard from TwilightTeez.com, and they are letting me give away one of their brand-new TWILIGHT HOODIES to one randomly selected person who votes! There are only a few days left, and I will be posting the results when I write my final thoughts on the book and the Epilogue.

– ADDED: I don’t usually mention non-Twilight stuffs, but I just interviewed author J. Scott Savage of the Farworld series, and he is giving away five free copies of his new book to people who comment on the post! So if you want a chance to get a free book, head on over and check him out 😀

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

83 Responses

  1. Just a heads up, Eclipse is a great one to discuss and analyze.

    I can’t wait until you get to Breaking Dawn. I have something to point out about it once you finish it.

  2. I just started reading your post yesterday and I’m hooked! I’ve been through all of the blogs (luckily I had the last two days off from school) and since this is the last one, its where I’m leaving my comment! I love your blogs and I’m gad that you’re a guy reading the twilight series…if it make you feel better…I haven’t actually gotten any girls hooked on the books, but I’ve gotten at least 4 guys to read and love them!

    I’m just ecstatic that I’ve found a blogger that I can read…mostly because i love your kind of humor. Can’t wait for the next post!

  3. I was just introduced to the twilight series about 3 weeks ago, and read all four books in about a week and a half. I, too, do not understand how you do it chapter by chapter!

    Reading through your previous posts, I definitely see a growth in you as a commentator on these books. I, actually, prefer the more eloquent, “english essay” type comments, because you always help me put words to my feelings about the books.

    New Moon is definitely the most difficult of the books, but it is so vital to the overarching story. As they continue in their relationship, they have this experience to fall back on, and without it, I think things could have ended up very differently. I don’t want to spoil anything, though, so I’m trying not to say too much!

    I think your insight to Edward’s frame of mind is so key in understanding why he doesn’t want her to become a vampire. I read something about Rob Pattinson and the way he interpreted the character – he really felt that Edward hates himself, and I think that’s the key. Edward truly sees himself as a demon. He’s not just kidding when he asks Bella in Twilight what it would mean if he wasn’t a superhero, if he was the bad guy. He is the bad guy, in his mind.

    Keep up the reading and commenting, I’m really enjoying your thoughts! And feel better…the flu sucks!

  4. i see the connection between twilight and new moon cuz in twilight when he takes o
    her on his back and speed s through the fores, its when they just became a couple and now, when he comes back bella is happy and remembers her accident with the motorcycle. i cant believe i didnt notice that! i guess because i was sorta bored with new moon, that i didnt pay attention to everything i did with twilight and eclipse. i really hope u dont get spoilered for eclipse cuz it is AMAZING! i still cant decide which is better, twilight or eclipse….

  5. My absolute favorite chapter in this book… I can’t wait for your next post!
    And then you get to start ECLIPSE… 😀

  6. Reading your narrative on the last chapter of New Moon.. has confirmed within myself how much I loved this book. I know it was not a favorite of the majority of readers, due to edward being gone. But I was alot like Bella.. Edward was always there in spirit. I hated the heartache she felt, but I loved feeling it along with her. It made the story have peaks and valleys. My heart raced when hers did, when she would hear his voice if only in a small part of her mind, her memory. New Moon was a must. He had to leave her. Without New Moon..we never would have seen how much they really belonged together.
    Bella and Edward..will never have to wonder again what it was like to be apart.

  7. I’m glad you liked New Moon and you are going to love Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. It is extremely sad when Edward leaves. That’s one of my least favorite parts of the series. That’s second after something else but I won’t go into details with that because there are spoilers. Anyway, even though New Moon is very sad, I love the ending. Edward is so romantic…Hurry up with Eclipse!!!!

  8. Thank you, Rochelle. You made my night. lol. (Ironically my best friend is named Rochelle, too; the world is an funny place.) lol 😀

  9. Kaleb-

    You seriously almost made me cry. My roommate was telling me to shut up because I kept saying “Ahhhh!!”

    You are the best! I cannot wait for your thoughts on Eclipse… Ch. 8 babay!

  10. I enjoy reading your thoughts about each paritcular chapter. Is it just me, or have you been putting more of what you think in the New Moon chapter posts than you did in Twilight?? Because I enjoy reading these a lot more than I did the Twilight ones, it could be book taste as well though.

    I was going to respond to the whole..’circle. Edward has to leave now’. (the latter was another of your posts). Edward doesn’t know what Bella is thinking and would never understand how much in pain she truly is with him gone…until he sees it for himself. Which, the only way to see it is thru others descriptions in their mind.

    Keep it up Kaleb. I CANNOT wait for you to read Eclipse. Tied for first in my mind!! (Breaking Dawn being the other tie).

  11. This is so great! I can’t believe you’re almost finished!!! I do like the song you picked for this chapter, however I believe the PERFECT SONG for the beggining run through the woods and confessions between Edward and Bella would be “Good Enough” by Evanescence. I have to say, Bella’s epiphany has to be one of the most beautiful parts of the whole series. When she finally realizes that Edward is hers and no one elses, and that he truly loves her…I’m not gonna lie, I cried. Yeah, the proposal was so unexpected that I think some people are still recovering from whip-lash because of it, it caught us all so off guard. By the way, it’s at this point in the saga that it REALLY starts to pick up. One thing after another,after another,after another, without practically any breathing room. You are going to love Eclipse!

  12. I have to write just one more comment. I have to say that understanding Edward’s mentality is key to understanding New Moon. This book out of all the others(Alright, Eclipse is a close second)gives us the closest glimpse into is head. ‘But why would he leave?’ some ask, it’s simple really, Edward sees himself as a terrible monster who is threatening her life and her happiness every second he is near her. The closest analogy I can come up with is that of everyone’s favorite Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast. If anyone remembers, the Beast constantly tortures himself (he’s also a masochist, just like Edward!)about being so ugly and unworthy of the beautiful, sweet Belle (Belle-Bella, coincidence?. But he loves he loves her so much and wants to protect her and help her in any way he can. So when Belle has to go save her father, he lets her go, even though that means he’ll be a beast forever. In the same way, Edward thinks he is “releasing” Bella from the dark cloud of vampirism, even though it will cause him immense pain. He knows he’s leaving her behind, but he also thinks he’s freeing her.

  13. omg that pic is so cute and funny but yeah i love what your doing for twilight its awesome and i plan to read your book its on my list i hope you’re enjoying the books i loved them all and i can’t wait for the movie i just hope they don’t mess it up well anyway i think your awesome for stepping out of the box and reading what is known as a girls book more guys should follow you thanks Kaleb Nation you rock

  14. Loved your summary, Kaleb! I adored New Moon, and my gut reaction when I first read it was that I liked it even more than Twilight, despite the fact it’s a lot more sombre, and not as many gushy moments because Edward’s gone. I think Edward needed to leave for their relationship to be as strong as it is; to show that simply cannot be parted.

  15. You describe their relationship, their love, and Edward’s way of thinking so well. I also think in the long run, Bella would have to be a vampire. But I can’t blame Edward for not wanting to do that to someone he loves. I never saw it as easy as some people who think: Just CHANGE her already! — that would be too irresponsible and selfish a thing for Edward to do.. atleast not without considering consequences.

  16. You almost made me cry AGAIN, Kaleb! You describe so perfectly the subtle wonderfulness of the relationship between Edward and Bella, something so many people just dismiss as fluff. But you hit the nail on the head every time. You remind people why it is beautiful.

  17. I can really imagine Charlie doing exactly as that picture illustrates. It would follow long the lines of:

    “Edward does what?! Kill people?!” Charlie yells so loud, its a whisper.
    “No, he kills animals.” Bella says sheepishly.
    “No, he disobeys the law!!”
    “Well, yeah, but he does it to not hurt me and everyone else we know…”
    “WHAT?!”

    … I can really imagine him doing that.

  18. I find it incredible, just how simply you put the last chapter of new moon, kaleb.
    to be perfectly honest, i cried while reading it.. as well as almost the rest of the book. but how can you not?
    i mean, the cliff jumping and hullucinations.
    i feel as if it’s not enough to think of edward or the rest of “the gang” as not real.. its like i want it to be more. like bella had stated in the book, “it would be enough to just know he existed.” i wish i could feel that security. but luckliy i have the book to keep me going.
    also, stephanie meyer made me acually get into reading as well as enjoying it. she amazes me with her emotion she puts into it, as well as how descriptive she gets.

    i found that twilight had more of a story line. new moon was more of the after works of him leaving.
    the reason as to why it was soo hard for her to move on with her life from edward, was because of the first book. new moon was a pretty emotional book.. but it was totally worth reading. twilight was more fun to read ’cause you didn’t expect what would happen next (unless you watched the movie, which is what i did).

    to make a looong story short,
    kaleb- i think you did an awsome job at explain how you felt about the last chapter’s drama.. whether or not bella should beome immortal.
    (i definetly think once highschool is over for her and has moved out of the house with charlie that edward should keep his prmise and give her that favor).
    last but not least- these books acually open your eyes and have such an impact on you.. after reading these two books in such a short time, i felt almost different as a person. i love, love, loved these two books to absolutely no end!

  19. Here is the one thing that I had thought up way too late… I wonder back when Edward took the package for her Mom to drop it off for her, did he look in it? Did he realize it was the pictures? She sent a copy of every picture to her Mom, right? Or did he manage to yank those, too? I would love to ask Stephenie about this. My guess would be that he did know about the copies and took them, but it was never actually clarified…

  20. I thought Twilight and New Moon were the bomb!
    I'm soo looking forward to the third one!
    later peeps!

Leave a Reply

Related Posts

Funny Video: The Twihard Journey

I was sent this hilarious video by Christine Riccio. I love the mini history of every fandom freakout moment over all these years! Get ready