I have been revamping for BD and I was thinking how much I reallhy like Bella and went looking for a thread like this. I really like how strong she is when she around Edward. She is so sassy to him, and not afraid to correct him or question him and shes more trustworthy than him. She seems like her own women, but when she is not, shes so uncertain of herself, and always taking care of others like thats her responsibility. I mean thats not a bad thing but she needs a life too. I just really admire how shes not afraid when shes around Edward. I just wish she wasant so against Dartmouth! That I could find difficult to understand, if being with Edward FOREVER wasant part of the equation.

I love how she is the person she is and doesn't change to fit in, like learning to dance just so she could go to the dance or prom. She is a person of her word, in Twilight, after Edward saves her from being crushed by the van, she doesn't tell anyone, just like she promised. And she doesn't bemoan her lot in life. There are plenty of teens who would be really angry at having to assume a parental role and being responsible, she accepts it so willingly.

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If I could dream at all, it would be about you...

One of the things I've noticed about the people in Edward's life (aka, the Cullens) is that seem to be afraid of his anger or displeasure. Bella isn't. She is sarcastic and independent enough to give him a round or two. I really liked her when she scolded him in Eclipse for yelling at Alice. I used to worry about after the change, how she would deal with that moody side. It's easy, she won't stand for it.

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Lauralee

You know, after being on this site for a little over a month I've finally realized that I must not be the "typical" Twilight fan. For me, these books were never the "All Edward" show. I always loved Bella and it never occurred to me that she would irritate other readers. What other's have labeled as whining or complaining, I just identified as bluster to cover her own insecurities and protect herself from disappointment. Edward has similar traits which he covers with false confidence.

The funny thing is that in many way Edward and Bella are *so* alike, yet Edward seems to get a buy from fans for behaviors that have them knocking Bella. I'm glad that there's a thread like this for Bella, but am surprised that there was a *need* for it.

GlitterGirl wrote:

You know, after being on this site for a little over a month I've finally realized that I must not be the "typical" Twilight fan. For me, these books were never the "All Edward" show. I always loved Bella and it never occurred to me that she would irritate other readers. What other's have labeled as whining or complaining, I just identified as bluster to cover her own insecurities and protect herself from disappointment. Edward has similar traits which he covers with false confidence. The funny thing is that in many way Edward and Bella are *so* alike, yet Edward seems to get a buy from fans for behaviors that have them knocking Bella. I'm glad that there's a thread like this for Bella, but am surprised that there was a *need* for it.

Exactly, there are times when Edward is sarcastic and it makes his "favorite moments" thread. Bella is equally sarcastic. I think it is something that Edward loves about her. But when she does it, everyone writes about how she broke his heart and was so mean to him. Edward needs someone that gives and as good as they get from him. It keeps him grounded.

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Lauralee

I enjoy Bella's sarcasm. I like that she gives as good as she gets, and Edward likes it, too. How many times does he bite back a smile after one of her jabs? But there's a careful distinction between Bella's sarcasm and her occasional insensitivity; saying, "You want a nice stereo? Drive your own car," is a far different proposition than saying, "Just show me the damned ring, Edward."

But Bella's a kid, she's still learning about boundaries, about when sarcasm is a tool and when it's a shield or even a weapon. It's the cost of having a sharp wit, sometimes you can take it too far. I do love her dry, sly observations, they're probably my favorite thing about her.

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lauralee wrote:

One of the things I've noticed about the people in Edward's life (aka, the Cullens) is that seem to be afraid of his anger or displeasure. Bella isn't. She is sarcastic and independent enough to give him a round or two. I really liked her when she scolded him in Eclipse for yelling at Alice. I used to worry about after the change, how she would deal with that moody side. It's easy, she won't stand for it.

As for after the renovations, Edward has met his match!

There are two specific instances I like to use for that boldness toward Edward and that is one of them on the nose. The other is at the begining of Eclipse when their driving home from school and Jacob is awaiting them. They just happened to be talking about Jacob when Edward lets it slip that "he could ....(kill) him" if they were to fight. Bella stops Edward from his thoughts in the car and really scolds him with her tone!

#1 reason to love Bella. She chose to move to Forks!!! Otherwise, we would have never met Edward.

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Lauralee

Bella represents "every girl." I'm each of us, when we think about it, share at least some traits with Bella. That is why we have gotten so caught up in her story. Sure, sure you are saying, and thinking that you love the story because of Edward, or Jacob, but it really goes much further than that. We can all see ourselves in Bella, unless we grew up looking, and acting like Rosalie.

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"You're not going to budge me on this."
"I bet I could," he murmured, his eyes burning again.

I have spent some time on various blogs today and all of them were anti-Twilight.
They were saying how whiny and lame Bella is and all sorts of negative things. I got on this forum so I could start a thread to ask why people hate her. But, I found this thread instead and now I don't care. I agree with all of the things said here.
Bella is special. No wonder Edward and Jacob love her.

KellyAnnie wrote:

I have spent some time on various blogs today and all of them were anti-Twilight. They were saying how whiny and lame Bella is and all sorts of negative things. I got on this forum so I could start a thread to ask why people hate her. But, I found this thread instead and now I don't care. I agree with all of the things said here. Bella is special. No wonder Edward and Jacob love her.

Yea us, for having a positive outlook!

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"You're not going to budge me on this."
"I bet I could," he murmured, his eyes burning again.

KellyAnnie wrote:

I have spent some time on various blogs today and all of them were anti-Twilight. They were saying how whiny and lame Bella is and all sorts of negative things. I got on this forum so I could start a thread to ask why people hate her. But, I found this thread instead and now I don't care. I agree with all of the things said here. Bella is special. No wonder Edward and Jacob love her.

Good for you! I'm so glad you found us!!

You are officially invited to jump in and list your favorite things about Bella.

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Bella shows us that we SHINE from the inside...the outside is not that important. For me that is a lesson that so many young girls need to learn.

I just finised teaching camp. My afternoon group was 10, kindergaten through 2nd grade girls. One little girl decided that she wanted to take a poll,"Who do you like better, Belle(from Beauty and the Beast) or yourself. I was saddened to see how they ALL liked Belle better.

I then had a talk with all of them...did they really get it??? I don't know.

How sad that girls so young already are losing themselves to what the media is pushing in their faces...

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"I didn't want to be the monster! I didn't want to kill this room full of harmless children! I didn't want to lose everything I'd gained
in a lifetime of sacrifice and denial!
I wouldn't! She couldn't make me.
*EDWARD-Midnight Sun*

Joanne Maria wrote:

Bella shows us that we SHINE from the inside...the outside is not that important. For me that is a lesson that so many young girls need to learn. I just finised teaching camp. My afternoon group was 10, kindergaten through 2nd grade girls. One little girl decided that she wanted to take a poll,"Who do you like better, Belle(from Beauty and the Beast) or yourself. I was saddened to see how they ALL liked Belle better. I then had a talk with all of them...did they really get it??? I don't know. How sad that girls so young already are losing themselves to what the media is pushing in their faces...

But what a great teaching moment. Good on ya, JM!

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nighttimepatronofthearts wrote:

Bella represents "every girl." I'm each of us, when we think about it, share at least some traits with Bella. That is why we have gotten so caught up in her story. Sure, sure you are saying, and thinking that you love the story because of Edward, or Jacob, but it really goes much further than that. We can all see ourselves in Bella, unless we grew up looking, and acting like Rosalie.

I just found this thread...started on Pg 1, and was thinking about what I wanted to post. You took the words right out of my head!!

Bella is so relatable. And contrary to the opinions of some, she is an extremely strong person, who holds true to her convictions. So we get to see her during her weak moments...who doesn't have those??!! And as everything is from her POV, of course she'll expose herself when she's not at her best. (What goes on in your head that you never tell anyone about?)

Frankly, what most people dislike in others, is what they dislike in themselves during their own weak moments. Ok...off the soapbox.

It's funny...part of me likes Bella because she IS relatable...and part of me likes her because, sometimes, she still baffles me. Does that make sense?

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