Literature
Edwards Decision to Immortalize Bella: The Tragic and Revolutionary Choice
Edward's Decision to Immortalize Bella: The Tragic and Revolutionary Choice
Many readers of the popular Twilight series are familiar with the heart-wrenching decision that Edward Cullen made regarding Bella Swan. In the novel, Bella's life hangs in the balance after a harrowing experience during childbirth. Her heart has ceased to beat, and in this critical moment, Edward is faced with an almost impossible choice. Letting Bella die would mean the end of her as she was, while turning her into a vampire would preserve her life but alter her existence forever. This paper delves deep into the reasons behind Edward's decision, exploring the implications of such a choice and its significance in the broader context of The Twilight Saga.
The Tragedy of Clinical Death
Clinical death is a condition where the heart has stopped beating, and the core body temperature has dropped to a dangerous level, resulting in unconsciousness and unresponsive state. For Bella, childbirth was an event that pushed her body to its very limits. As experienced in The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Bella's childbirth was tumultuous and nearly fatal. The absence of her heartbeat was a stark indication of the life-threatening condition she was in (Twilight, 2005).
Edward's Options
Edward Cullen, her beloved mate and a member of the Cullen vampire family, found himself in an agonizing position. The options before him were stark and terrifying. As a vampire, Edward has expertise in medical matters and understands the biological intricacies of the human body. He knew that in this state, Bella would succumb to death and be gone forever. Yet, he also knew that there might be a way to preserve her life, albeit at a cost.
The Ethics and Implications of Vampirism
Edward's willingness to transform Bella into a vampire is a reflection of the complex ethical implications of his existence. As vampires, they possess immortality and supernatural abilities but are also burdened with a dark and dangerous curse. Edward's decision is not merely about preserving Bella's life; it's also about the moral principles that guide him. The vampire world is one where death can be transcended, but so can the concept of humanity and the burden of free will (Twilight, 2005).
The Psychological Impact on Bella
Transforming Bella into a vampire would inevitably change her. The Twilight series portrays Bella Swan as a human with deep-seated feelings and vulnerabilities. To turn her into a vampire would mean stripping her of some of these human attributes, leaving her in a state that is a blend of beast and soul (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, 2013). Edward's decision is a heavy one, weighing the loss of Bella's humanity on one side and the preservation of her life on the other.
No Other Choice?
It is essential to emphasize that for Edward, there were no other choices. The Cullen family's expertise in medical matters suggests that they have seen similar circumstances before. In the series, it is often mentioned that vampires have intricate knowledge of the human body and its functions. The fact that Edward had no other options, no other way to save Bella, adds to the weight of his decision and the consequences it entails.
Conclusion
Edward Cullen's decision to transform Bella Swan into a vampire is a pivotal moment in the Twilight series, marking a critical change in the narrative and exploring themes of love, mortality, and the cost of immortality. It is a decision that is not taken lightly, deeply rooted in the ethical and emotional complexities of the characters and their world. Readers are left to ponder the impact of such a decision and the broader questions it raises about life, love, and the bounds of human existence.