Edward protecting Bella

Natashanatasha · **Joined:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:25 am **Posts:** 970

edwards_obsession wrote:

Remember how Bella says he hates the word "boyfriend" because it just cannot come close to describing what Edward is to her? She says she prefers "fate" & "destiny" when speaking of him. I think that shows what an immediate connection they had, whether they knew/understood it or not. No matter if Edward had lured Bella into the woods or followed her into her house, he would never had killed her. Somehow they both knew from the beginning that they were something special to each other - they were each others destiny.

I agree but only because . . . I want it that way too!

I guess my problem is I believe Edward. He said she would have been dead if he hadn't had such a history at restraining himself. I believe that he let her live because he didn't want to kill anybody not just Bella.

Esme echo · **Posted:** Fri May 30, 2008 4:07 am

Natashanatasha wrote:

I guess my problem is I believe Edward. He said she would have been dead if he hadn't had such a history at restraining himself. I believe that he let her live because he didn't want to kill anybody, not just Bella.

I agree with you, Natashanatasha. Edward became more protective as his interest in Bella grew. I think Edward must have known subconciously that Bella could be someone special in his life--which would explain his reaction when she was nearly crushed by the car: "Not her!"

When Midnight Sun is completed, it will be interesting to see how Stephenie explains Edward's mental/emotional dithering during those early days!

Natashanatasha · **Joined:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:25 am **Posts:** 970

Esme echo wrote:

Natashanatasha wrote:

I guess my problem is I believe Edward. He said she would have been dead if he hadn't had such a history at restraining himself. I believe that he let her live because he didn't want to kill anybody, not just Bella.

I agree with you, Natashanatasha. Edward became more protective as his interest in Bella grew. I think Edward must have known subconciously that Bella could be someone special in his life--which would explain his reaction when she was nearly crushed by the car: "Not her!"

When Midnight Sun is completed, it will be interesting to see how Stephenie explains Edward's mental/emotional dithering during those early days!

I know, I know . . . I just want MS already! I can't wait to see when he goes from being soooo excited by her smell to being excited by just her.

HipMarye · **Posted:** Fri May 30, 2008 8:43 am

jaidi wrote:

So I am re-reading the first chapter of midnight sun right now...literally, I cam over here to simply post this comment, and then I am going to go back and finish it. But I noticed something tonight that I hadn't noticed before... and I was curious if anyone else had any thoughts on it.

On page 7, the last full paragraph, it starts with "Beneath the transient humor..." something really stood out to me and I wanted to point it out. In that paragraph, Edward talks about feeling a strange impulse. IT is the first time that i feel, he wants to 'protect' her.

"I felt the strangest feeling urge to step in between them, to shield this Bella Swan from the darker workings of Jessica's mind. What an odd thing to feel."

I know that the next paragraph talks about Bella looking weak and what not, but I don't remember it really ever occurring to me how much he wanted to protect her, even before he met her. Then in Biology he spent the entire time protecting her from himself. I don't think it was his urge to keep the secret that kept him from killing her that day. I think that it was some innate urge to protect her from everything, from himself, from those around her, from everything. He wants to protect her from Jessica Stanley...It just hit me hard tonight that it didn't start at the accident when he saved her life...it started the first time he ever saw her...he started falling in love with her before her scent hit him...

Or at least that is my thoughts on it...anyone else?

I had never looked at MS from the perspective of his wanting to protect Bella, but I can totally see it now that you put it that way.
Like when she was about to get hit in the parking lot he said that later he came up with the excuse that he did want her blood the spill because it would be to hard to resist and he'd expose his whole family, but the the real reason was that all he could think was "not her". (pg272) He also talks about how Bella is"...so soft and so fragile." (pg 310)

Brilliant!

Natashanatasha · **Joined:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:25 am **Posts:** 970

HipMarye wrote:

jaidi wrote:

So I am re-reading the first chapter of midnight sun right now...literally, I cam over here to simply post this comment, and then I am going to go back and finish it. But I noticed something tonight that I hadn't noticed before... and I was curious if anyone else had any thoughts on it.

On page 7, the last full paragraph, it starts with "Beneath the transient humor..." something really stood out to me and I wanted to point it out. In that paragraph, Edward talks about feeling a strange impulse. IT is the first time that i feel, he wants to 'protect' her.

"I felt the strangest feeling urge to step in between them, to shield this Bella Swan from the darker workings of Jessica's mind. What an odd thing to feel."

I know that the next paragraph talks about Bella looking weak and what not, but I don't remember it really ever occurring to me how much he wanted to protect her, even before he met her. Then in Biology he spent the entire time protecting her from himself. I don't think it was his urge to keep the secret that kept him from killing her that day. I think that it was some innate urge to protect her from everything, from himself, from those around her, from everything. He wants to protect her from Jessica Stanley...It just hit me hard tonight that it didn't start at the accident when he saved her life...it started the first time he ever saw her...he started falling in love with her before her scent hit him...

Or at least that is my thoughts on it...anyone else?

I had never looked at MS from the perspective of his wanting to protect Bella, but I can totally see it now that you put it that way.
Like when she was about to get hit in the parking lot he said that later he came up with the excuse that he did want her blood the spill because it would be to hard to resist and he'd expose his whole family, but the the real reason was that all he could think was "not her". (pg272) He also talks about how Bella is"...so soft and so fragile." (pg 310)

Brilliant!

I wonder if Edward is a protector by nature. Some people just protect others. I feel that way. I became a life guard and almost an FBI agent because I naturally like protecting people. This is why we need MS so we know if Edward protects all the women in his life or is it just Bella that he feels the need to protect.

Imraith_Nimphais · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2008 4:16 am

I am thinking of the era that Edward is from...I'm guessing a much more genteel one? Even though he's been a vampire through the rest of the decades....he certainly hasn't 'dated' anyone else or even been interested in anyone. He's been alone. I think the fact he couldn't read her added a HUGE interest at first. Who doesn't love a good mystery?! Also, even though Bella describes herself as *plain* it's obvious she is not. Every guy in school is attracted to her, so I am going to have to assume that she is much more than a *plain jane*. So, there is a new, cute, and intriguing girl at school. That's enough to mystify him. And possibly want to know more. Then he gets a whiff of her! Now, not only is she all that....he finds it almost impossible to NOT kill her because of her blood *singing* to him. Once he runs away, I would suspect that 6 weeks is more than enough time to think about it from every possible angle. I would like to assume that he is still fascinated by her, so much so that instead of coming back and just completely trying to stay out of her way...he actually tries to be courteous. I doubt that he was in love with her at that point, but there was something unique about her, something that he had never experienced with anyone else. I also imagine that living forever could be incredible boring at times, and she added an unknown quality that was irresistible. I am probably way off base...but those are my own thoughts on it!

HipMarye · **Posted:** Sat May 31, 2008 5:02 am

Imraith_Nimphais wrote:

I am thinking of the era that Edward is from...I'm guessing a much more genteel one? Even though he's been a vampire through the rest of the decades....he certainly hasn't 'dated' anyone else or even been interested in anyone. He's been alone. I think the fact he couldn't read her added a HUGE interest at first. Who doesn't love a good mystery?! Also, even though Bella describes herself as *plain* it's obvious she is not. Every guy in school is attracted to her, so I am going to have to assume that she is much more than a *plain jane*. So, there is a new, cute, and intriguing girl at school. That's enough to mystify him. And possibly want to know more. Then he gets a whiff of her! Now, not only is she all that....he finds it almost impossible to NOT kill her because of her blood *singing* to him. Once he runs away, I would suspect that 6 weeks is more than enough time to think about it from every possible angle. I would like to assume that he is still fascinated by her, so much so that instead of coming back and just completely trying to stay out of her way...he actually tries to be courteous. I doubt that he was in love with her at that point, but there was something unique about her, something that he had never experienced with anyone else. I also imagine that living forever could be incredible boring at times, and she added an unknown quality that was irresistible. I am probably way off base...but those are my own thoughts on it!

I don't think you're off base at all, infact, I think you just hit a grand slam!

Natashanatasha · **Joined:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:25 am **Posts:** 970

HipMarye wrote:

Imraith_Nimphais wrote:

I am thinking of the era that Edward is from...I'm guessing a much more genteel one? Even though he's been a vampire through the rest of the decades....he certainly hasn't 'dated' anyone else or even been interested in anyone. He's been alone. I think the fact he couldn't read her added a HUGE interest at first. Who doesn't love a good mystery?! Also, even though Bella describes herself as *plain* it's obvious she is not. Every guy in school is attracted to her, so I am going to have to assume that she is much more than a *plain jane*. So, there is a new, cute, and intriguing girl at school. That's enough to mystify him. And possibly want to know more. Then he gets a whiff of her! Now, not only is she all that....he finds it almost impossible to NOT kill her because of her blood *singing* to him. Once he runs away, I would suspect that 6 weeks is more than enough time to think about it from every possible angle. I would like to assume that he is still fascinated by her, so much so that instead of coming back and just completely trying to stay out of her way...he actually tries to be courteous. I doubt that he was in love with her at that point, but there was something unique about her, something that he had never experienced with anyone else. I also imagine that living forever could be incredible boring at times, and she added an unknown quality that was irresistible. I am probably way off base...but those are my own thoughts on it!

I don't think you're off base at all, infact, I think you just hit a grand slam!

I agree, he was interested in her. She intrigued him, I still say that if he could've read her mind then it would have been a short story.
I'm so glad he couldn't read her mind!

utterly_absurd · **Posted:** Mon Jun 16, 2008 5:46 pm

Esme echo wrote:

Natashanatasha wrote:

I guess my problem is I believe Edward. He said she would have been dead if he hadn't had such a history at restraining himself. I believe that he let her live because he didn't want to kill anybody, not just Bella.

I agree with you, Natashanatasha. Edward became more protective as his interest in Bella grew. I think Edward must have known subconciously that Bella could be someone special in his life--which would explain his reaction when she was nearly crushed by the car: "Not her!"

When Midnight Sun is completed, it will be interesting to see how Stephenie explains Edward's mental/emotional dithering during those early days!

yeah, i agree with you. at the start, i think that he's really trying not just to kill bella, but he's really trying his best to not be the monster that fate destined him to be. remember, during his 1st biology class with bella, his thoughts of carlisle and how he doesn't want to disappoint him kept running around his head as he was trying his best to fight his bloodlust for bella. those thoughts helped him a lot with his control, i believe.

imsarah · **Joined:** Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:19 am **Posts:** 73

this is a terrific topic and I really like the ideas everyone has.
I think that he'd have fallen for her anyway whether her scent attracted him or not. The scent of her blood was just a sort of a wrench thrown in the works, an added complication to liven up the story, make it more exciting. I think its the fact that her mind is closed to him that draws him in, he's intrigued by her. He didn't find her overly attractive at first sight because in his mind, all humans think the same mundane, boring thoughts. Nothing especially interesting to spark his interest. The fact that he couldnt read her mind intrigued him and drew him in.. Had he been able to sit next to her in class, completely immune to the scent of her blood, I think he still would have fallen for her because she was a mystery to him and what he found out about her through conversations intrigued him even more because he found she was in fact, NOT like most humans.

Most of the relationships and crushes I've had have developed like that. No physical attraction at first, but the more you learn about them and the more you like them as a person, the more beautiful they become on the outside.
Not quite the same, but sort of how Bella describes seeing Kim at the council meeting. She's kinda plain looking, uninteresting features. But when she sees how Jared adores her, Bella starts to notice beautiful features about Kim too, so much that they outshine any not so attractive features that Bella noticed in the first place.

As for Edward feeling the need to protect Bella from Jessicas snide thoughts, I caught that and wondered about it too.
Its fate. They're destined to be together. I have no better explanation for it at the moment.

Esme echo · **Posted:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:19 am

With respect to Edward wanting to protect Bella from Jessica's vicious thoughts: I think Edward is just a chivarous guy who despises low, mean thinking. He's certainly been exposed to enough it of! Being around negative people is depressing; I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Edward was always a little more dismissive of people whose thoughts constantly revealed negative, mean, obsene, or self-absorbed thinking!

Natashanatasha · **Joined:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:25 am **Posts:** 970

imsarah wrote:

this is a terrific topic and I really like the ideas everyone has.
I think that he'd have fallen for her anyway whether her scent attracted him or not. The scent of her blood was just a sort of a wrench thrown in the works, an added complication to liven up the story, make it more exciting. I think its the fact that her mind is closed to him that draws him in, he's intrigued by her. He didn't find her overly attractive at first sight because in his mind, all humans think the same mundane, boring thoughts. Nothing especially interesting to spark his interest. The fact that he couldnt read her mind intrigued him and drew him in.. Had he been able to sit next to her in class, completely immune to the scent of her blood, I think he still would have fallen for her because she was a mystery to him and what he found out about her through conversations intrigued him even more because he found she was in fact, NOT like most humans.

Most of the relationships and crushes I've had have developed like that. No physical attraction at first, but the more you learn about them and the more you like them as a person, the more beautiful they become on the outside.
Not quite the same, but sort of how Bella describes seeing Kim at the council meeting. She's kinda plain looking, uninteresting features. But when she sees how Jared adores her, Bella starts to notice beautiful features about Kim too, so much that they outshine any not so attractive features that Bella noticed in the first place.

As for Edward feeling the need to protect Bella from Jessicas snide thoughts, I caught that and wondered about it too.
Its fate. They're destined to be together. I have no better explanation for it at the moment.

Ditto! I've always said that Edward started out intrigued by Bella because he didn't know everything she was thinking. It is what started the process of he falling in love with her, not the blood issue. Although, smell is a way to our sex drive (Was that too blunt?) and he did describe her smell as 'mouthwatering.' But I still stand by the premise that it was her thoughts that most intrigued him. Just like Emmett is more of a physical type person, Edward is more of a mental type person. IMHO

TallMan · **Posted:** Wed Jun 18, 2008 3:42 am

Natashanatasha wrote:

imsarah wrote:

this is a terrific topic and I really like the ideas everyone has.
I think that he'd have fallen for her anyway whether her scent attracted him or not. The scent of her blood was just a sort of a wrench thrown in the works, an added complication to liven up the story, make it more exciting. I think its the fact that her mind is closed to him that draws him in, he's intrigued by her. He didn't find her overly attractive at first sight because in his mind, all humans think the same mundane, boring thoughts. Nothing especially interesting to spark his interest. The fact that he couldnt read her mind intrigued him and drew him in.. Had he been able to sit next to her in class, completely immune to the scent of her blood, I think he still would have fallen for her because she was a mystery to him and what he found out about her through conversations intrigued him even more because he found she was in fact, NOT like most humans.

Most of the relationships and crushes I've had have developed like that. No physical attraction at first, but the more you learn about them and the more you like them as a person, the more beautiful they become on the outside.
Not quite the same, but sort of how Bella describes seeing Kim at the council meeting. She's kinda plain looking, uninteresting features. But when she sees how Jared adores her, Bella starts to notice beautiful features about Kim too, so much that they outshine any not so attractive features that Bella noticed in the first place.

As for Edward feeling the need to protect Bella from Jessicas snide thoughts, I caught that and wondered about it too.
Its fate. They're destined to be together. I have no better explanation for it at the moment.

Ditto! I've always said that Edward started out intrigued by Bella because he didn't know everything she was thinking. It is what started the process of he falling in love with her, not the blood issue. Although, smell is a way to our sex drive (Was that too blunt?) and he did describe her smell as 'mouthwatering.' But I still stand by the premise that it was her thoughts that most intrigued him. Just like Emmett is more of a physical type person, Edward is more of a mental type person. IMHO

I'm on board with this line of thought. She also never reacts like normal people do. This always keeps him off balance. She surprises him. i.e. Bella feels safe with him, She always wants to close that little space between them and touch him. Normal humans shy away from their 'alieness'. Bella never does.

Natashanatasha · **Joined:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:25 am **Posts:** 970

TallMan wrote:

Natashanatasha wrote:

imsarah wrote:

this is a terrific topic and I really like the ideas everyone has.
I think that he'd have fallen for her anyway whether her scent attracted him or not. The scent of her blood was just a sort of a wrench thrown in the works, an added complication to liven up the story, make it more exciting. I think its the fact that her mind is closed to him that draws him in, he's intrigued by her. He didn't find her overly attractive at first sight because in his mind, all humans think the same mundane, boring thoughts. Nothing especially interesting to spark his interest. The fact that he couldnt read her mind intrigued him and drew him in.. Had he been able to sit next to her in class, completely immune to the scent of her blood, I think he still would have fallen for her because she was a mystery to him and what he found out about her through conversations intrigued him even more because he found she was in fact, NOT like most humans.

Most of the relationships and crushes I've had have developed like that. No physical attraction at first, but the more you learn about them and the more you like them as a person, the more beautiful they become on the outside.
Not quite the same, but sort of how Bella describes seeing Kim at the council meeting. She's kinda plain looking, uninteresting features. But when she sees how Jared adores her, Bella starts to notice beautiful features about Kim too, so much that they outshine any not so attractive features that Bella noticed in the first place.

As for Edward feeling the need to protect Bella from Jessicas snide thoughts, I caught that and wondered about it too.
Its fate. They're destined to be together. I have no better explanation for it at the moment.

Ditto! I've always said that Edward started out intrigued by Bella because he didn't know everything she was thinking. It is what started the process of he falling in love with her, not the blood issue. Although, smell is a way to our sex drive (Was that too blunt?) and he did describe her smell as 'mouthwatering.' But I still stand by the premise that it was her thoughts that most intrigued him. Just like Emmett is more of a physical type person, Edward is more of a mental type person. IMHO

I'm on board with this line of thought. She also never reacts like normal people do. This always keeps him off balance. She surprises him. i.e. Bella feels safe with him, She always wants to close that little space between them and touch him. Normal humans shy away from their 'alieness'. Bella never does.

Oh...good point! I bet secretly he loves that she isn't turned off by his being a vampire. I hope something like that will be thought/brought out in MS. I know he is worried about her self preservation but I can just see him grinning when he thinks about how much she likes/wants to be with him.

utterly_absurd · **Posted:** Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:25 pm

Natashanatasha wrote:

Oh...good point! I bet secretly he loves that she isn't turned off by his being a vampire. I hope something like that will be thought/brought out in MS. I know he is worried about her self preservation but I can just see him grinning when he thinks about how much she likes/wants to be with him.

your post is turning me into a giggling pile of mush. not to mention a squeeening adult who's supposed to be projecting a dignified demeanor in front of her computer in the office. :mrgreen:

i do hope that we see such edward moments in MS. i so want him to sometimes be just lighthearted and happy. i too would like to see firsthand the process that he went through in falling in love with bella -- from his initial stuggling moments, then on to his intrigued by her stage, to the moment when he finally succumbs to his feelings of love for bella.

Edward protecting Bella

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