Reading Eclipse: Chapter 1 (Ultimatum)

October 20th, 2008 at 12:03 am by Kaleb Nation

The song for this chapter is Writing To Reach You by Travis (suggested by Anita)

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I felt absolutely stupid when I first started on Eclipse. I took the book off my shelf and immediately started to search for my bookmark (a slip of paper that coincidentally is also my grocery list). For some reason today, I simply could not find the blasted bookmark, and it wasn’t until I had flipped the book over and fanned all the pages for this piece of paper that I realized I didn’t even have a bookmark in this one yet, because I was just starting it.

It was the first mystery I have faced in reading Eclipse, and it wasn’t even in the book. What a wonderful start.

Because I am going straight from New Moon to Eclipse, I know all of the back story right off the top of my head. Jacob is still upset over Bella choosing Edward over him in the previous book. I decided also that as Jacob is obviously having troubles completing his thoughts, it was my duty to play mad-libs and finish his sentences for him:

Bella,

I don’t know why you’re making Charlie carry notes to Billy like we’re in second grade — if I wanted to talk to you I would answer the carrier pigeons pecking at my window. You made the choice here, okay? You can’t have it both ways when Desperado Dave and his posse enlist you. What part of ‘mortal enemies’ is too complicated for you to understand in that crazy brain of yours? Look, I know I’m being a jerk, but there’s just no way around the fact that you’re now a highway bandit with a $10,000 reward on your head. We can’t be friends when you’re spending all your time with a bunch of cattle thieves, bank robbers and highwaymen.

It just makes it worse when I think about you too much, so don’t write anymore ransom notes to my father, or I’ll tell the sheriff where your hideout is.

Jacob

Surely that was what Stephenie had intended Jacob to be writing.

Still, though, Jacob is obviously in turmoil. After all, Bella is strongly attached to Edward Cullen: a vampire, mortal enemies with Jacob because of his species. Think of it as if your best friend has fallen madly in love with the local axe-weilding crazy, no matter how much you try to convince him or her otherwise. This is basically what is going through Jacob’s mind, so I do have some understanding of why he is so much against Bella being with Edward.

I was taken aback by the primitivity of the Swan’s meals. Have they not heard of the greatest invention since sliced bread: microwave lasagna? It is a meal that no one can ever tire of, requires no stirring/pots/smoke, and is ready in 23.5 minutes. It is such the epitome of effortless cooking (aka most college meals) that thieves were obliged to remove boxes of it from my freezer sans permission (as everyone and their cousin has heard by now due to my endless ranting on the situation).

I loved how casual this sentence was:

Afternoons were the hardest part of my day. Ever since my former best friend (and werewolf), Jacob Black, had informed me about the motorcycle I’d been riding [...]

Alternate version:

Afternoons were the hardest part of my day. Ever since my former best friend (and green singing frog), Kermit, had informed me that my fly-repellant was ruining his chances of decent dinners [...]

I suppose after a while being around vampires and werewolves will become everyday to anyone. Bella has been through so many things in the past year that go deep into the supernatural, so I’m sure by now she is either wondering what will pop up out of the woods next (if I wrote the next book: gnomes) or if it is all a very large dream.

Having been to Juneau, Alaska, I was told multiples of times by local residents statements that confirm Bella’s claim of being overcast 321 days per year. I, however, visited the place on one of those glorious, rare times when the sun was shining o’er the sea with all its might, and caught views such as this and these. Even on those sunny days, you can see that it is properly enough overcast for a vampire to survive undiscovered. And besides that, humans can’t complain about those glorious views.

Though Bella’s grounding since the incidents in New Moon has finally been lifted, it is obvious that Charlie does not trust Edward as far as he can throw him. And I don’t exactly blame him: for Edward, Bella has thrown herself off cliffs, gone traipsing out of town on more than one occasion, and had hallucinations and nightmares on his accord. If I was Charlie Swan, I would be duly concerned.

But the fact is that in reading the book, we have the ability to get into Edward’s head, and we know that no matter how often it may seem that he is a threat to Bella, we know he wouldn’t ever let himself hurt her. This is insight Charlie does not have. This is also one of the biggest conflicts caused in Bella’s mind: for she truly wants to be friends with Jacob, but cannot keep him and Edward at the same time. Bella knows for sure that Edward will never hurt her, but Jacob does not; Bella also knows that Jacob will never hurt her, but Edward does not. It is like moving two positive ends of magnets closer — yes, they can be forced together, but they will always be pushing each other away.

So I see many troubled times ahead. Edward has decreed he will not let Bella see Jacob, fearing for her safety near a pack of werewolves lacking anger management. Bella has proclaimed she is going no matter what Edward says. The trouble between the true love and best friend has started yet again — and on top of that, there is a newborn vampire on the loose. Welcome to Forks.

Question for the comments: If you were Bella’s parent, would you think Edward was safer for her, or Jacob?

——NOTES——

- I am now taking song suggestions for Eclipse! Send in your songs with the link in the sidebar (–>) or at this page.

- I am putting together features of Twilight-inspired bands. If you are a band who writes music for Twilight, please send me your info on this page.

Posted in Eclipse

Reading Eclipse: Chapter 9 (Target)
Reading Eclipse: Chapter 24 (Snap Decision)

Fanny U0banks

I really think that Bella should pick Edward because i can really feel their magic when i read twilight. When Edward left Bella in New Moon I was barely able to read it without him there because Edward and bella's love and stuff was what made me like the twilight books so much. it might have something to do with the fact that i am really obsessed with vampires and theyre my favourite mythical creature but i really really love edward and bella together. an they DO NOT talk at eachother! What mkes you think that whatever ur name is that said that... I LOVE EDWARD
I KINDA GUESS I HATE JACOB

TEAM EDWARD!!
<333
^.^

Psycho

I believe the things outisde Jacob's window were owls, not pigeons. LOL

Elizabeth

Okay, I have a song suggestion for Chapter 23 Monster: "Mr. Brightside" by the Killers. Listen to it: it sounds like it was written by Jacob.

Elena

Oh, also, I would think Jake was a lot safer for her. He's always been there for her, never let her down, and seeing how upset Edward made her in New Moon and what he's put her through, no one would want a possible repeat of that for their child. Plus, Jake's awesome :D

Elena

I'm sure someone else already said this, because it's just insane, but the fact that you said "It is like moving two positive ends of magnets closer — yes, they can be forced together, but they will always be pushing each other away."
Wow... just wow, you have got to be on the same exact brain wave as Stephenie, that's just crazy.

Kieran

I love the books they are all amazing and I've already bought tickets for the movie. I can't wait to see the fight between Edward and James or the look of sheer disappointment and lust on Bella's face when Edward pulls away from the kisses. It is going to be an amazing movie i just love the books so much. And no i am not gay

Ruby

great imput on jacobs letter - it's amazing how well you nailed it - but I have to admit, that I'm a bit dissapointed
You completly forgot Jake's favorite word for vampires! ;)

-Bloodsuckers :P

so anyway thanks for being you, i love reading your chapter-thoughts ;)

~Tina

Kaleb, thanks. You've now got me on red-alert for the Lasagna Burglar... and I think I would PREFER Jacob, but I would want whatever makes my daughter happy, and if choosing a blood-thirsy vampire over a short-tempered werewolf makes her happy, well then...

samantha

are you related to Alice perchance?

if i was a parent, i would say edward is better for bella, simply because he is so much hotter, cuter, nicer, thoughtful, devoted, and loving than jacob (i may be a teensy bit predjudiced). dont forget he also can cook and has better manners.

Tianna

I agree with Claudia, except for the fact that it WAS yesterday that I found this site.

Claudia

Wow! I can't believe you're up to Eclipse already. It seems like it was just yesterday I discovered this site, and I think it's totally awesome.

Now onto your question: If I were Bella's parent I would think JACOB was way safer for her. Don't get me wrong, I am 100% Team Edward, but from a parent's point of view, Jacob would seem way safer.

However, from my point of view, I believe Edward is safer for Bella. This is because Jacob is still very unexperienced in the whole supernatural thing, whereas Edward is more capable of controlling himself since he has had about a century of practice.

By the way, I was wondering if you had any advice for an aspiring writer. All I've written so far are short stories, and I was thinking of competing in a writing contest, but I haven't heard of any lately.

Rose

i would say neither if i was just a mom. they're both causing her trouble. ...but even as a mom i would remember my youth, and bella loves edward. its not like he's treating her badly, you know. most importantly, bella wants edward, not jacob. she's 18, and its her choice, so definitely edward.

Mary

ok i choose edward of course Bella would be wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy safer with Edward!!! Plus i love love Edward, he treats Bella sooooo nice, and he's polite, doesnt cause problems unlike jacob Edward rocks!!!

Scott

To answer your question. If I were Charlie I would most definitely lean in favor of Jacob, besides for the fact that he is his best friends son, which would be a cool person for a son-in-law, what does Charlie really know abut Edward anyway, because of him she stormed out on him and went back to AZ where she was almost killed then he left her an she was like a zombie for months and the she takes off while he is at his friends funeral for three days and when she comes back he's with her again. Face it Edward does not apeal to the parents very well.

jEsSi

i agree with Brigid... very insightful... u jus did a lil foreshadowing of ur own, but its really not a big thing... its jus funny how u came to that conclusion so early on. U'll see wat we mean when u get to that part ^_^

Brigid

magnets was very insightful of you....but not nearly as insightful as you appear to think it was....

:Daniela

if i were bella's parent, i would probably love to see jacob and bella together, because that's my best friend's son, and i know him. but i would let bella make the decision. because it's her life. but i think i'd also see the connection between bella and edward, so i'd also be comfortable in her decision.
you know?

Beverly

Jacob, definitely. As far as Charlie's concerned at this point, Edward is a creepy guy that doesn't care for Bella at all. Jacob, on the other hand, is definitely her dream guy- they've known each other forever, he's very funny and casual, and he was there to help get her out of misery.
Poor guy doesn't know ANYTHING.

Jessica

If I was Bella's parent... *dream clouds* no wait *storm clouds* Okay, I'm Renee, my clumsy daughter just got abandoned by her boyfriend. Totally messed her up... We considered instatutionalizing her, um the boy comes back. They love eachother again. But there's this other boy, one who was there for her when she was in need...

JUST as a parent i'm gonna have to say Jacob, but as a person who really know what's going on I'm saying Edward (they're perfect for eachother DUH)

Think of it from what Charlie and Renee are seeing though!

Dee

more than good... bella actually does mention it...

Monica

Haha, you are right on top of things-- really! The magnet part, well... let's just say that is a VERY good guess. You'll see, you'll see.

Brittany

Loved the mad libs! I always crack up when you fill in the gaps...

Hmm, Edward or Jacob for my child...? Well, I can totally get why Charlie prefers Jake - he's the family friend, been around forever, while Edward is this pale funny looking stranger. If Charlie could see both guys and how they treat his daughter (and the person she becomes around them), I think he'd prefer Edward. He brings out the responsible side of Bella and actually goes overboard in his attempts to protect her whereas Jake and Bella together are more likely to break bones/start fights/lose their tempers and explode in a furry frenzy...

Vi

As Bella's rents I would say to wait till college or um don't grow up. EVER. huh. Mike is the safest.
Honestly, what parent could choose between EC and JB. WHAT PARENT IN THEIR MINDS WOULD THINK THAT THEIR CHILD IS SAFE WITH SOMEONE. ah, parenthood is blinding :)
~Vi

Marianne

I'm not a parent but if I were, are you asking the question that if I were akin to all the ins and outs of Edward and Jacob, which one would I prefer for my daughter?

If so, Edward would be the choice for the sheer fact that Jacob is too forceful. He's like an abusive husband! EEK. By the end of Eclipse I was pretty sure that he could be a suspect for rape! Next thing is... Stephenie Meyer introduced imprinting in New Moon. She would not have introduced this if it wasn't going to be possible for Jacob to imprint and leave Bella. Edward left Bella, yes, physically but he didn't fall in love with someone else.

I like Jacob's character, really. He is everything that is youthful and unadulterated about romance. Of course Edward is everything that is mature and passionate...

Anyway, a mom's point of view is always different from a dad's. Renee is pretty ok with that Edward kid even if Charlie is not.

Dee

siriously dude... you are a total psych! the thing about the magnects... I also got it when I read eclipse but the fact that you actually mentiones magnets... freaky!

okay... I have to say I am very exited about the fact that you are reading eclipse, as it is my second favorite book in the saga its really cool believe me :)

well to your quesion,I think that probably charlie should open his eyes a little mose.. dude if you daughter jumps off a clipse, and has a sudden trip to idont know... ITALY! thats not normal... apart form the fact that edward is really freaky looking... I would totaally trust jacob, his a family friend (dont get me wrong i LOOOVEEEEE edward... but from a dads perspective.. i dont know)

Feven

I would say Edward.. but that whole New Moon stunt, even though it had good meaning, kind of FAILED. So yeah, I wouldn't want Edward anywhere near my daughter.

Jacob by default, wins.

Sarah

I loved the line about the magnets! and to answer your question about Jacob or Edward, if i knew what they were I would say Mike...he's the safest solution for her not to get killed or hurt

KMA#1

Wow....you're foreshadowing and you didn't even know it. :)

Aubrey

Hmm...tough question. If I were an ignorant parent who had no idea that Edward was a vampire and Jacob was a werewolf I would most definetly choose Jacob as the safer one. But knowing what I know, I would say Edward. There is no way that Edward would hurt Bella, there is however a very small but possible chance that Jacob might loose control and hurt her. By the way, remember the comment you made about the magnets, it's kind of important later on. Happy reading Kaleb, I can't believe you're already on to Eclipse!

.Nicole

if i were Bella's parent...i think i would choose Jake 'cause edward is so.....(you complete the sentence ^_^)

Devon

Hmm....if I was Bella's parent and knew as little as Charlie does...this is kind of a complicated question. Bella's got Charlie for a dad...and dad's typically are too overprotective of their daughters (sometimes, for good reason), and Renee is almost too perceptive, as you'll soon see. So if I was just a regular parent, well...even though she has run away for Edward twice and gotten a broken leg doing do on one occasion (but Charlie didn't know the circumstances), he is a gentleman, is respectful, polite, loving, and mature. Jacob I see as more dangerous/reckless without heed for safety, trusting too much in Bella's ability to care for herself...and he's immature, self-centered, and selfish. I'd go with Edward. They obviously love each other and don't do well apart. Charlie, I think, is too biased because of his friendship with the Blacks. He's your typical protective dad.

It reminds me of when I first started dating. My dad made waves to me about taking the guy downstairs "for a talk" and to show him his gun and knife collection, and reiterate that I was supposed to be home by a certain time. Intimidation tactics because of overprotectiveness. Haha fathers are always suspicious of young guys beccause they've been there and done that.

Lari

I would definitely like JACOB more as Charlie! I love them both-but Jacob is an obvious pick.
Oh, and by the way-are you related to Carry Nation by any chance Kaleb?

Chelsea

I love your mad libs. I won't say much but in your summary you seemed to hit a lot of basic themes in this book that stephanie herself even says.

Sveta

i think that edward would be safer fer her cuz jacob doesnt rlly care much fer her safety
just her company rlly
i mean edward is rlly polite and everything even tho charlie absolutely hates him
ok if i was charlie then i think that jacob would be better fer her
i mean he thinks that edward caused all of bellas problems
so he wants edward out of her life before he can mess up anything more in her life
[as if her life wasnt already messed up :)]
i rlly like ur mad libs fill in
:)
it was hilarious!!!

Attera

I would say Jacob. I mean, yes, Edward loves her for EVER, but Jacob has less of a risk factor, at least I think so. Maybe that's one of the reasons we all love edward; no pain no gain, right? ahaha

Gatchene

lmao on your magnet comment.

I think if i was Bella's parent I would think Jacob is safer because Edward is just oddly polite and doesnt seem to find it awkward to be around his girlfriend's father. He (logically) isn't a normal teenager which is frieghtning and suspiscious

Nicki

Okay, so you're going on the basic assumption that Jacob actually loves Bella- a fact that can be disputed, since the strongest kind of love (imprinting) that exists in the werewolf world has not occured betweeen Jacob and Bella. In short, HE'LL HAVE TO LEAVE HER EVENTUALLY unless he's sequestered away from all civilization left to stare at pictures of Bella all day. On the other hand, edward would rather die than let anything happen to her, we already know he will never leave her again (NM chapter whatever)and he's opposed to turing her into a vampire because IT'L TARNISH HER SOUL. He flipping CARES about her more than Jacob- jacob just cares about himself. He likes Bella, therefore he wants Bella. Edward likes Bella, therefore he wants Bella, therefore he know he;s bad for Bella so he leaves, but he's so important to her that he'll stay anyways just to make her happy.

Cherokee

I loved how you finished Jake's sentences. That was hilarius.

And now, your question...

When I answer, you will probably think it is typical, but I will give my reasons.

If I was Charlie, I would choose Edward for Bella.

Yes, Edward left and Bella was depressed, and as a parent, you would be terribly angry at whoever had caused it, but even though it seemed like Jacob was cheering it up, wasn't it just Edward again? His voice was the reason she kept doing dangerous things, most of them ideas of Jake's. Jacob helped her ride the motorcycles and she got hurt doing it. Jacob mentioned taking her cliff diving, and Bella almost kills herself.

When Edward showed up again, Bella was immediately more cheerful. She was genuinely happy and not doing dangerous things anymore (That Charlie knew about. He obviously doesn't know that Jake is a werewolf and Edward is a vampire).

The question isn't Jacob or Edward, the question is physical pain or emotional pain.

Would you rather have your child hurt, even dead, or just sad?

Charlie thinks Edward will hurt her again, that's why he doesn't like him. Jacob gets Bella hurt...why doesn't he have a problem with that?

If I were Charlie, I would prefer Edward for her. She is happy with him, sad that she can't be with Jacob, but still happy and safe. If she had to stay away from Edward, I would fear for her life.

Kristina

Haha, Samantha, I second that.

Now, as to the Jacob Edward question, I'm really not sure. I'm totally and completely 100% Team Edward [I loved how Stephenie wrote Breaking Dawn] but if I were Charlie, I'd probably say Jake was safer for Bella. He seems strong and protective, and he seems to genually care for her. BUT, if I were Charlie, I also wouldn't know the whole story. I wouldn't know that Jacob was a werewolf. I wouldn't know that Edward was a vampire, or that even though he is one, that he could never hurt her in any shape form or fashion after his realization in New Moon. But even so, I'd like to say that as a parent, I will let my child choose his/her date, so to say. I may not, but I'd like to say that I will trust them enough to be able to choose the right person for them.

Samantha

Wow, magnets...

You are so incredible; are you sure you aren't Alice? I will leave it at that! ;)

Rhiannon

Okay....If I were Bella's parent, sadly, I wouldn't realize how dangerous either one of the amazing candidates were, but apart from the fact that one is a vampire, and one a werewolf, I would probably at first look think Edward. Edward just looks...responsible, and sophisticated. He looks like the kind of guy that you can trust. And his voice is so seducing, that you kind of have to believe him. After New Moon though, after seeing all the pain he put Bella through, I don't really know what I would think. Jacob is so childish and irresponsible, letting Bella ride a motorcycle without a helmet, when she is obviously so klutzy it's almost a handicap, but he kept her happy (to a certain extent). And being happy can be a big part of being safe. But, even with Jacob, she still did all those rash things to hear Edward's voice, which makes Edward even more dangerous.... This is a really hard question.... I think that I would hate both Edward and Jacob if I were Bella's parent, because they both hurt her so badly, and I would ask her to give up on those freaks and just go out with Mike, or Tyler or something. As a teenage girl though, I would tell her that Jacob was much better for her and safer for her, and then I would go and steal Edward. :)
I don't know if any of that made sense....but anyway...

Saphira C.

Well, since I am officially in love with Edward Cullen, I would say that Edward was the best option, but just because I'm in love with him. :P

Nidhi

Don't worry kaleb, we all have those moments! We'll buy you a better bookmark, so that you don't need to use your grocery list anymore, ha ha. As for your question, If I were Bella's parent, I would definitly say that Jacob is safer for bella. However, I know personally that the heart often wants what isn't safe, and who am I to question the heart?

summer nicole

haha.
so you're finally on the only book with a big plot in it!
well, this is my favorite one so i hope you enjoy it. :)
(and you might just want to stop at the end of it and pretend the series is a trilogy).
oh, and i say jacob because edward is abusive. not physically, though. you'll see later on.
oh, and nice fortune telling there. the whole magnets thing is like a direct quote.

Jess

Wow, dude, you totally stole the magnet comparison! That's amazing. Yeah, you'll see that exact metaphor later in the book. That EXACT metaphor. Wow, you rock.

Shannen

Magnets???!!! *Shannen jumps back in alarm* Are you sure you haven't read this book before?!
If I was Bella's parents I would definitely think Jacob was safer. After all, it wasn't Jacob who made Bella go crazy when he left.

Joanne Maria

At this point in the story, I suppose Jacob because he still is coming off as a "goody two shoes". At this point Edward seems like the bad guy. I need time to get to know Edward better.

Fallow

Well, Renee is allergic to dogs (you find this out later, but it's not a spoiler), and I think she'd like to be around with the both of them and not just one.

Miranda

I think that I would be happier with Edward, not that I'm biast or anything. I think that edward has shown time and time again that he loves Bella and would give the world for her, and his life. EDWARD

Elliot

It would be really close, but I would probably favor Edward - all Bella engages in is, seen from an outer perspective, minor danger: driving to Phoenix(car)/flying to Rome (plane), falling down stairs (yeeeesss, I know, but we are outer perspective, remember?), whereas Jacob engages her in major danger: motorcycling (and even providing this hellish machinery by fixing it!) and racing her, jumping from cliffs... not to say he has all these other troublesome friends as Paul (anger-management, anyone?)... and then Edward with his family, completely inconspicious, and one sibling is always with her... Though I would watch my daughter really close with any troublemaker, I would feel more at ease with Edward.

Tonya

If I were Bella's parent and I only knew what Charlie knows, I would think that Jake was better for her. If I knew what Edward and Jake were, I'd move away and drag her with me.

A.L.

1) You can't teach an old "dog" new tricks but apparently you can teach an old vampire. This is a very good thing.

2) Jacob is a hypocrite. For future reference. A very bad hypocrite who deserves to be called on it but everyone else has too much class and more important things to worry about to point this out to him.

mel

i think edward is safer just bc he's more experienced (and bc he's the awesomest character in any series ever!!!) and besides edward knows what it is like to think he's lost the core of his unchanging exisitance. that has made him immune to her alluring scent which was the core of the problem in the first place. and as for the accidently being able to crush her, like i said he has experience and he knows what he's doing he himself could never hurt her. okay yea new moon w/e he will never hurt her again and has never physically hurt her so i'd think theyd be fine. besides he's uber careful. (Love you edward!!!!!) lolz

Christina

dude magnets? really? you're gonna laugh later on =P

devz30

First chapter of Eclipse *sigh*

And the magnet thing... Very...insightful. ^_^
As for the answer...
Though I would hate to admit it (yeah, I would) if I was the parent, I would proabably think Jacob is safer. I mean, if you put it that way, when Charlie doesn't know that Edward will not hurt Bella- and Jacob's been Bella's friend and all- I really think I am inclined to go for Jacob. A safe friend who wouldn't hurt Bella. But still, I would have considered possibilities. I mean, who would think that Edward could leave Bella in Twilight? So maybe I'd think in future Jacob could hurt Bella...So... neither?
Ok, too much typing....

Sarah W.

Your magnet simile is rather frighteningly psychic. As a reader, I love Edward and Jacob equally. But as a parent, I definitely see Jacob being healthier for a teenage daughter. Edward though, would make her happier obviously, because Bella chooses him. So I would be conflicted. In the end, as a very concerned and almost unfair parent, I would perfer my daughters' health than ultimate happiness and hope that it was enough.

Ren

I would say neither, instead Mike Newton. Or one of those other vial- but safe- humans.

Joanna

As a parent - I have four daughters, so I speak from experience! - I would be leaning toward Jacob at this point. Edward leaving nearly destroyed Bella, and if any male ever did that to one of my teenage daughters, I wouldn't let him in the house or anywhere near her if I could help it.

Through a parent's eyes I'd definitely think of Jacob as the safer one of the two, especially if I had known him since he was little, like Charlie has. As a reader, though, I love them both.

Loved your post and the pic, by the way! :)

Shelly

The magnets made me smile, you'll find out why soon enough and i'm sure you'll laugh very hard ;)

As for your question; my answer is Eric Yorkie. Lol, seriously though, between Edward and Jacob I'd have to say Edward. Jacob just.. forces himself on her while Edward actually looks out for her well being. Jacob has a problem with doing what HE wants and not caring about others opinions on the matter while Edward actually listens to Bella's thoughts (lol, the irony..) and does what he can to make her happy and safe at the same time. *My opinion of Jacob is different in Breaking Dawn but since you're only on Eclipse, those are my original thoughts on the matter :) *

Jaimie

"It is like moving two positive ends of magnets closer — yes, they can be forced together, but they will always be pushing each other away."

When I read this line, I literally laughed out loud. So funny.

I love your crazy bookmark search, Kaleb. This same scenario has played out plenty of time for me. Somehow I always manage to lose my bookmark. They're usually receipts, too.

I think that if I were Bella's parent I would think that Jacob was safer for her. Charlie has seen Jacob grow up right in front of his eyes and knows that Jacob loves her. The first reaction Charlie ever had towards Edward was one of alarm, even if he did picture the wrong person. Edward has that whole aura of dangerousness around him and even when he's asked to keep Bella safe and he sounds completely sincere, one has to wonder how he is so certain that he'll be able to.

Stephen

If I were Bella' s father, I would whole heartily support her dating Edward before I would Jacob. Though I am a "Team Edward" fan, I can see how he has had a century of practice at resisting his natural inclination to feed on human blood. In addition, given the passionate love felt for Bella, I would know in my heart, as a father, that he truly loved and cared about her well being apart from his own desires blood and otherwise.

Nurazlin

woops, ignore my magnet comment. i didn't see your reply....i feel stupid now.
*slaps self*

Cara

Well, as a parent, I would probably want Bella with Jacob- but that's only because I don't know what's going on, and from the outside, it would seem like Jacob is better for her. But not being a parent, I am 100% Edward.

Nurazlin

Woah, this this only had 60 comments a few hours ago...
anyway,

I agree with Brittney H. from #3.
I TRIED to be unbiased, pushing my love for Edward out of the way for a little while to see things clearly, and if, i only knew what Charlie knew, I'd be rooting for Jacob too.
But knowing what we all know...
Team Edward all the way! xP

Seriously. Did someone tell you about the magnets?

Jessi

So yeah lol I've done that with my bookmark all the time so i feel the pain. Next if I was Charlie and Renee I'd be a little worried hello soul-less (supposedly) blood drinking demon it is the natural order for them to be worried but kinda glad because ya know its like she's always being protected by someone who is far stronger than you'll ever be. But then again I'm A TOTAL Bella . Seriously my motto in life is I'm not clumsy . . . the floor just hates me. But from the parental perspective I think that Edward is the lesser of 2 evils as they say.

courtney

Dang Kaleb you moved on to Eclipse quick! not a moment to spare!
I would have to say from Charlie's eyes that Jacob seems to be much safer for Bella but in reality I think that Edward is.
And have you gotten to the magnet part yet or was that a total coincidence?

anyway your too funny your pics always make me laugh :D

Heather

Oh!

I thought of another reason why Jacob isn't good for Bella and why I've never considered them two together. I don't remember exactly where imprinting is first mentioned, but I do know it is explained further in Eclipse. So, whenever you read the whole imprinting thing, remember that that's a reason why Jacob is no good for Bella and not a "healthier" choice as many people say. If Bella chooses Jacob, he might leave her someday just like Edward did, and he'll have no other choice. With Edward, he will never love anyone else ever now that he has found Bella and there's always that security. These were my thoughts while reading Eclipse and I don't know why other people don't see this logic.

I'm pretty sure I spoiled nothing, even if imprinting hasn't been brought up yet, I may have just peaked your interest extremely, which is a good thing because then you'll read faster.

And also, if I was Charlie, even if I didn't quite like Edward, I wouldn't try to push Jacob onto Bella, no matter how good I thought he was for her. It's her choice, and as a parent, I would realize that I can't do much to change it. I might try once, but then I would lay off. Charlie does a lot of pressuring in Eclipse.

EAConwell

While I do eternally love Edward and know he loves Bella more than anything, if I was Bella’s parent, I wouldn’t let him in the house, let alone near my daughter. From Charlie’s point of view: the boy made my daughter run away to phoenix where there was no parental unit present, she fell down a flight of stairs and broke her leg, he dumped her to travel the world and left her barely a shell of the person she was, she goes off to god knows where for 3 days because 'Edward’s in trouble' only for them to come back a happy couple once more, with my daughter threatening to move out if I don’t let her see this 'perfect guy.' If I was Bella’s parent, I would have sent her home on the first plane to Jacksonville to save her from the manipulating mysterious boy from school.

Jacob, on the other hand, is an old family friend and slowly helped my daughter learn to laugh and smile again. He hasn’t made my daughter run away to god knows where and seems to be mature enough to handle helping her move forward with her life.

Regardless of how much we love Edward, with the limited knowledge Charlie has, what parent would want their daughter to go out with Edward Cullen after all that mess? I certainly wouldn't.

lol, I still love Edward though, he and Bella are two halves of the same whole. ^-^

Meghan F.

...welcome to forks. LOL!

Janelle

If I was a parent & had no idea of anything going on with Jacob & Edward, I'd be thinking Jake is safer, from an emotional standpoint. Bella was doing better with Jacob, though physically, if she was ending up in the hospital all the time, I'd be worried.

lil'

Jacob and Edward are like food.

Jacob is like healthy food. You know you should choose healthy food because it's good for you but then there's Edward, the junk food, where you know it's not good...but you're tempted. It's addictive.

Jacob would be such a better choice; a healthier one for Bella. But Edward? You just can't give that up, that guy got you hooked from the very beginning.

Hahah, okay I don't know where I'm going with this. I'm food and sleep deprived right now. Hence, the analogy..LOL

Megan

Haha, I love the reference to the magnets. Bella uses that comparison later in the book, too. It made me laugh :)

Anita

hahaha! Kaleb you are a true Alice!
i love this post, as for the question i would have to say Edward 'coz no matter everything they've been through i would know that they are truly in love.

P.S. Yeeeeeeeih! you choose my song! XD i'm so happy!

Chelsea

I completely understand Charlie's side of things. Completely. I mean, Edward ran off and left Bella in a state of mind-numbing depression for months, and then she just welcomes him back? If I were Bella's parent, I would be furious. The worst part is that Edward feels like he totally deserves whatever Charlie throws at him because whatever the insults Charlie hurls at him, Edward has told HIMSELF what a horrible person he is far more often than Charlie even thinks about him. So...

I think you'll find the next chapter very amusing, Kaleb.

Liz

To answer your question i think that Edward because you can just tell by seeing them together how much he loves Bella and would do anything for her
Also I just want to say that I love your post.

Verali

OH!
one more thing while im on a roll, don't hurt yourself in the attempt if you can't. but if you can, AWESOMESWEETKOOLTOTALLYANDCOMPLETELYAMAZING! x 1ooo
ilu!

Twifanatic Amanda

Ummmm I don't know how to answer this question because this is something that a parent will never have to go through XD vampire and werewolf yeahhh

Verali

Rain, #88, actually, i think the equation would look something either like:
Bella + anyone= trouble, disaster, etc.
Or...
Bella + boys= trouble, disaster, etc.
Or...
Bella + super-natural-things-that-should-not-exist-type boys= trouble, disaster, etc.
Or, if you can come up with something maybe a bit more accurate or that also fits... let me know.
LOVE TO ALL!
(especially twilight guys named Kaleb Nation with issues on Microwave Lasagna theives, is obsessed with gnomes, has a knack for MadLibs, is partially psychic, AND can sing and dance on his head.)
Verali Hayden James.
ps.
to that certain person mentioned above... one of those requirements is not strictly necassary, but would be fun to watch.

Sarah

Jacob is sooo obviously better for Bella. I've thought that all along. If I were her parents I wouldn't want her dating that Edward guy. Jacob is the long lost best friend.

Anyway great post Kaleb!!! I wish I could stay up for you BlogTV posts, but i never can :(

Shelby

I loved how you filled in the blanks in Jacob's note! How hilarious!!! I loved it! I always wondered what he was trying to say but couldn't.

Now on to the question you asked....

Now, if Charlie knew everything about the two boys that have taken an interest in his daughter, he wouldn't be having either of them in his or her lives. There are reasons for this... Here, I shall explain the obvious.

Edward is a vampire who lusts after Bella's blood. Although he resists the thirst, there are still the dangerous "what if..." scenarios that-if Charlie knew everything about vampires- would never be able to look past. Therefore, he would never allow Bella to be with her soulmate, Edward.

And then there's Jacob. He is also dangerous for many reasons and Charlie would never be able to look past the issues- even though Jacob is his best friend's son- and let him be his daughter's boyfriend. Here are the reasons.

Jacob is a loose cannon. He has sudden bursts of anger that force him to break through his skin to turn into a wolf. And let's face it, we've all heard the story of Emily... Charlie would never allow Bella to put herself into harms way if he could help it. Although Jacob might never mean to hurt Bella- just like Edward would never mean to- all it would take is one little argument and Jake would explode...literally! There's also the inconvenience of Jake's clothes when he changes back. A half-naked boy running around isn't really good when you're trying to be the good boy for a man's daughter. Jacob would be out right away because of that, wouldn't you think?

But, of course, Charlie has no clue that the two boys that mean the most to his daughter are supernatural creatures who are mortal enemies. Because of this fact... He'd say Jake is the safest bet for Bella because of the fact that Jake helped her out when Edward left and made her happy. We all know how different Bella became as soon as she began going to La Push to visit Jacob. Charlie saw that too.

Charlie sees Edward far differently than he did in Twilight. He may have liked Edward then, but he hates him now. And I understand why. As far as he knows, Edward left Bella for something or someone else and seemed to not even care about what that did to Bella. And then, out of the blue, he shows up into Bella's life again and acts like nothing happened. Charlie- like any other parent out there- wouldn't look at it as something to be happy about, but wary. He's waiting for Edward to leave. "The selfish rich boy can't be trusted..." is what Charlie might be thinking. So for those reasons, he would say Jacob is safer, and in my opinion, if I was a parent with a teenage daughter, I would say the same thing. I know my parents might as well...

Sorry for the long comment, but I've had this debate with people before and I love talking about it. I can't wait for my boyfriend to get to Eclipse so I can ask him the same question you did, Kaleb!

Thanks Kaleb for this great first post!!!!!!!

Laura

Did anyone else catch that fact that Kaleb used the metaphor of 2 magnets? Maybe he's got a little Alice in him (or has alread yread the books and has been lying to us the entire time!!!).
Anyhoo, it would depend if I knew about all the supernatural hubub going on in Edward and Jacob's life. I would probably just want Bella to be happy.

Liz

To answer your question I believe that Edward Cullen because of the fact that he will do anything for Bella.

By the way good job on the post:)

Kayla

The bookmark story made me laugh, because I actually have done the same exact thing!

Good call on the magnets, as you can proabably already tell!

And to answer your question, I don't have a kid yet but I think Bella is better off with Edward because he has better self control and he needs Bella too much to lose her. He also can protect her in more situations than Jacob can.

Keep reading! I love your take on these books!

Jess

Honestly, if my daughter told me that her two choices were between a vampire and a werewolf, I would have her committed.
xD
HOWEVER...I do believe that Edward is the safer choice-and I don't just say that because he's Edward. While Jake loves Bella, it's still not to the extent that Edward loves Bella. She is his absolute life-his everything. Everything Edward has ever done for her, good or bad, has been for her good ever since he started loving her. Before that point is a different story, but irrelavent now. Jacob is a wonderful person, but more uncontrollable. He would be more able to ever hurt Bella, simply by accident. He is well controlled, but not quite so much as Edward is. Look at Sam-he hurt Emily by accident, even though he was imprinted on her, and loved her more than anything else. Who's to say the same could never happen with Jacob?

:)

Claire

Really loved this post; it was very reminiscent of your very first ones. Full of humor and what-not. :)

And way to call the magnets thing! It happens later on in Eclipse; boy, are you good!

If I was Charlie, I would probably say Jake. Only because Billy's a close friend of mine and I'd know Jake better. But at the same time, Charlie's seen how essential Edward's presence in Bella's life is, so there has to be that balance.

Kim

First off, the bookmark thing was hilarious and hit home for me. I've done that quite frequently.

Second off, your thoughts/madlibbing were hysterical. That's obviously what Stephenie was thinking when she wrote that. (insert sarcasm here)

To answer the first question you posed in the blog, it would depend on which parent I was. If I were Charlie, I would clearly pick Jacob considering I've seen him grow up, I love his family, and after seeing what Edward did to my daughter after he left, Jacob would appear to be the safer choice. If I were Renee, however, I have no real emotional ties to either of them, but Bella talks about Edward more frequently and he seems perfect for her the way she describes him. Plus I don't know the entire story of what happened when Edward left except she was in a zombie phase. She (Renee) seems quick to forgive anyway.

And finally(!), regarding your other question about the magnets thing, it was a fantastic analogy and it appears in Eclipse, but not in the same way that you used it. I'll leave it at that. You'll see it soon enough. :)

Lindsey

If I were Charlie, I would have to go with Mike Newton for my daughter'sboyfriend, unfortunatly, since Bella apparently would rather die then be with Mike Newton and then I would have no dinner by the time I got home, so I would say Jacob because then if he messed with my daughter I would sick Billy on him, or just shoot him (cus I'm Chief Swan and I have a gun! Muhaha) because I doubt shooting a vampire would be as satisfing as a werewolf.

AussieT

Wow - looks like long posts mean long comments!

Kaleb - the magnets comparison happens in Eclipse and is eerily very, very similar to what you said above.

As a parent, I would be very wary of Edward - bringing out that sort of behaviour in my kid. But you can't ban them from seeing the people they want to see - esp. at 18. So he's compromising by letting her see Edward but keeping a close eye on things (or at least he thinks he's keeping a close eye on things!).

Great post - can't wait for your others!

Christy

Edward, obviously. Jacob does to much dangerous and risky things. And LOL the bookmark thing made my day. xD

Maggie

“It is like moving two positive ends of magnets closer — yes, they can be forced together, but they will always be pushing each other away.”
^Creepy much?

haha I had to do a double take when I read that.

Rain

Well I think that Charlie thinks both Edward and Jacob are good kids, I think that the problem are the combinations Bella+anyone=trouble, disaster, etc
I think that if Charlie had a choice he would pick Jacob bc he knows his dad a lot better but of course he is bias

Now Renee she would be like pick whoever you want they're both nice boys and yeah don't listen to your dad he'll pick Jacob

Kaleb Nation

sheesh, the magnet thing: I think the reason I came up with it is that it is such an obvious comparison. Does the magnet stuff you're saying happen in this book or Breaking Dawn? At least I can know how good of psychic powers I have :D

Shannah

I think you are pulling our leg with the magnet thing. theres no way you would just say that without already knowing.

I think JACOB is safer for many reasons, but mostly because I like him better and Edward can be a right bastard.

Tammy

Honestly, for the very reasons you suggested, I would trust my child more with Jacob (if I had one). That isn't to say I hate Edward at all, it's just that I can see things from both sides and Jacob seems SAFER.

Whereas Charlie may trust Carisle as a doctor, he doesn't know the Cullen family. Having his daughter constantly in an emotional state of turmoil or disappearing without words is taking it's toll on the man. When taking that into consideration, it's easy to see why Charlie feels more at ease with Bella together with Jacob.

Charlie has known the Blacks forever and its good friends with Jacob's father. Because of this communication, if anything happens to Bella, Charlie knows Billy will alert him immediately and won't have trouble finding them. If I were Charlie, I would want my daughter with people I know and trust.

Jasmine

EDWARD IS DEFINITELY SAFER FOR BELLA!!!!! FOR THE OBLIVIOUS REASONS THAT HE CAN PROTECT HER FROM ANYTHING!!!!

Jazz (Team Cullen!)

katie

if bella were my daughter, i'd lock her away in a tower. if she brings vampires and werewolves out of their holes, i'm sure she could draw out a dragon to complete the whole picture... no boys till she's over 39. and no make up either...

Brianna J.

if i was a parent of bella, i don't think i'd be able to choose for her. she knows her own mind and is really stubborn, so i'd just sit in the back seat crazy with worry and hope everything would turn out all right...

loved the magnet thing, stick with it, it's pretty important to the rest of the book- again, it's like you can read minds or something.

can't wait for the next post!

Aria

If I were Charlie, and didn't know any of the super natural stuff. I'd say Jacob. Because from my point of view all I've seen this far is
Edward: my daughter keeps randomly skipping town to be with him (even after he dumped her), and she jumped off a cliff!

Jacob: comes home a little scratched up sometimes. Dang is Bella clumsy, But Jacob always makes sure she's patched up.

Debra

I think Charlie should go to cooking school.
Other than that... Charlie would always pick Jacob for Bella. But he would never want her to be without the one she really loved.

E

Oh, I almost forgot; If I was Charlie, I'd want Bella with Mike Newton, I think, as far as safety goes... but what fun would that be??? :D

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Reading Eclipse: Chapter 1 (Ultimatum)

October 20th, 2008 at 12:03 am by Kaleb Nation

Question for the comments: If you were Bella’s parent, would you think Edward was safer for her, or Jacob?

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Reading Eclipse: Chapter 1 (Ultimatum)

October 20th, 2008 at 12:03 am by Kaleb Nation

Question for the comments: If you were Bella’s parent, would you think Edward was safer for her, or Jacob?

——NOTES——

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