Reading Breaking Dawn: Chapter 4 (Gesture)

The song for this chapter is (The Symphony Of) Blase’ by Anberlin

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And so they are wed: Edward and Bella are together at last, as we always knew they would end up. This wedding is magnificently organized by Alice, and just imagining it causes me to immediately remember this film:

Except, instead of Steve Martin, Charlie Swan; and instead of humans, a strange assortment of very nervous looking vampires and werewolves. What a wedding to remember!

Then, Jacob Black appears. I don’t understand. I really do not understand at all. I am completely baffled and perplexed. At what point does it become appropriate for an old boyfriend to come to his ex-girlfriend’s wedding, and then take her for his own private dance whilst kissing her hair the moment the groom (currently her husband) disappears? Where does this equate to Jacob being respectful to Edward and his wife — of all days, on the very evening they were wed? This, in my opinion, is but a less severe example of a groom who sleeps with one of the bridesmaids (I’ve once lived in an old Texas hicktown: this does happen ).

Now, understand that it would have been fine for Jacob to show up at the wedding. If I was Edward, I don’t think I would have any trouble with some of my new wife’s old guy friends making an appearance (on the grounds they are appearing just so that I can make them feel incredibly jealous ). But Jacob isn’t happy with just being there to wish his friend well. This is perhaps one of the most frustrating things I have read so far. Who does Jacob think he is?

People are going to ask  me why I am jumping so harshly upon Jacob Black, especially when I have tried so hard through writing my posts to understand him and to not choose any side. But this is because, as of this chapter, there are no Teams anymore. How can I be Team Jacob, if Team Edward won? It isn’t really a question of who would be better for her, since it is done. To be Switzerland at this point, in my opinion, would be to hang on to the hope that Bella will leave her husband in order to be with her ex-boyfriend. This is Twilight, not some daytime drama.

Sounds like an episode from this show

Still, as usual, it is easy to be against Jacob without looking at things from his point of view. Completely disregarding all courtesy and respect for Edward and Bella, what sort of horrible heartbreak must Jacob be going through right now? This poor guy has tried everything he can to convince Bella she is making a mistake, and even then he can’t give up, when his chance is gone and there is really no more reason to fight for her. I can’t even imagine if I was Jacob Black at that wedding, dancing with the girl I loved more than anything else in the world, and knowing that it is perhaps the last time I’d ever get to, since after that she is someone elses. I know that Jacob probably wishes that time would stop then, because he never wants to leave that last moment.

This type of thing can tear someone apart wondering what might have been if Bella had chosen to remain a human with Jacob. Setting aside all the questions of who is good for Bella, and who shouldn’t have come to the wedding, and all the Teams and Switzerlands: this marriage is going to be hard on everyone. Werewolves and vampires have entirely new treaties to deal with, Jacob must find someone new, and now Edward and Bella must deal with their new life together: and, Bella’s new life as a vampire. Things would have been far simpler had she not fallen in love with Edward. But, things might not have had such a happy ending.

I feel there is a good resolution, however, to Jacob’s feelings for Bella, and that Jacob finally owns up to what he must do:

“Are you happy, Bella?” (Jacob said.)

“Yes.”

“Okay.” I felt his shoulders shrug. “That’s the main thing, I guess [...] I’m just here to be your friend. Your best friend, one last time.”

Those final words are the reason I chose the song for this chapter: in a way, I think Jacob feels this could be his last goodbye to Bella, or at least the last time he will really get to hold her. After this day, she is all Edward’s. My respect for Jacob, who might finally be maturing, has grown considerably: and even with my criticisms of his choices, I still feel very bad for him as he is dragged away from Bella, once again with a broken heart.

So I shall throw my imaginary bag of rice in the direction of Bella and Edward, bid them best wishes on their honeymoon, and hope that all will soon be well with the broken-hearted Jacob: from whom I doubt I have heard the last.

Question For The Comments: Do you think that Jacob Black went too far at Bella’s wedding? Also, do you think he deserves to feel the way he does now, for hanging on to a girl who wasn’t his: or was it noble for him to try to change her mind up to the last day?

—–NOTES——

- There is something very special happening tomorrow. Guess in the comments (it is different from my book stuff going on). For long-time readers of my blog, this should be easy. Just sayin, if you like cool contests, you’ll want to be here tomorrow

- If you enjoy my music, I just uploaded a preview of a new song I’m working on that is quite differet from the others, and I’d love opinions on it.