Since it has been said by Stephenie (lexicon personal correspondence #6)that Rosalie's special trait which she brings to her vampire existence, is NOT her tenacity, I am posing the question: What do you think it is, and why is it something Edward lied about and won't reveal until MS?

I don't think he lied, I think he was being nice...he is a gentleman after all. I have no clue what it would be.

Could she have tenaciously pursued Edward at the beginning and he didn't want to tell Bella at that moment because they were just getting to know each other (and he's also a gentleman)? This could also involve her being beautiful. Is she like the Denali's?

(I can't remember their whole conversation exactly. My daughter has the book in her room and she is sleeping so I can't check.)

Rosalie makes it a point to tell Bella in the Unhappy Ending chapter of Eclipse that she never wanted Edward that way, but instead was angered and somewhat shocked that he didn't want her. She was afterall this beautiful woman that everyone desired, and the thought of him not wanting her, was simply not in the realm of possibilities.

The reason I posed the question in the first place, was because I have read over that chapter so many times and yet, I still feel that there is something I am missing about Rosalie. (I am neurotic about all the little details; call it my own personal character flaw. Definite Type A personality).

As far as what Rosalie's special trait that she brings to this existence is, since it is not her tenacity, as Stephenie has said, I am leaning towards her anger. Since it is their strongest trait that is intensified when they become vampires, it seems the logical choice in defining hers. She "feeds", (no pun intended), off of it to the point where it empowers her. It is her coping mechanism which she uses to help her deal with this
life that she is bound to live in for eternity;one that she constantly reminds us that she did not choose, did not want and must live without all the things she does want. In her mind, it justifies her situation as well as giving her reason to live the ostentatious way she chooses.

Edward, chooses to "stretch the truth" so to speak, when explaining to Bella what Rosalie brings to this life. Afterall, think about it. If you were bringing your girlfriend to meet your family, wouldn't you want to present as postive a front as possible? Maybe even gloss over the unpleasantries or at least try to sugarcoat them somewhat? Tenacity sounds alot better than Anger.

Thank you for posting this topic - it's had me thinking all morning about Rosalie.

I do think Rosalie has a lot of anger. However, as I was rereading her story, it struck me that she is always jealous of that which she didn't have. She wanted a child, she wanted to be married to a man who loved her truly - she was jealous of her friend for having those things.

Then she was turned into a vampire, and she was jealous and angry about the life she could now never have. She was jealous she could not die...not to mention not have the child she dreamed of.

And now, Bella comes along, and choses all the things that Rosalie would give up in an instant. Maybe she is jealous that Bella has a choice, but it's pretty clear Rosalie is angry. In my experience, anger and jealousy run pretty close to each other in the emotion spectrum.

These are just a few of the thoughts running through my mind. Hope it makes sense.

I can't seem to let go of this topic.

I looked up tenacity in the dictionary, trying to get a clearer insight into what Edward could have possibly been alluding to. It led me to the synonym perseverance.

Here is it's definition: 1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

Perhaps when Rosalie sets her mind to something - that's it. There is no middle ground, no compromise...she's persistant that her course of action or thought is the right one.

Sorry - just throwing more stuff out there to ponder.

Maybe her jealousy helps her feed the anger that she so tenaciously clings to.

I'm not being flippant. I think you've both got something here and it's all part of the same thing.

And I think you're right that Rosalie is the kind of person who is always wanting what she doesn't or can't have. She also seems like the type who can't let go.

Does this mean she's possessive?

I also agree with what was said about rereading that scene over and over and still feeling there's something missing. It's subtle but it's there. Or, actually, it's not there.
But maybe that's just...Rosalie. Not a lot there? I don't know! I can't believe I've expended this much energy delving into a person who may be nothing more than exactly what she says she is--vain, shallow, superficial.

She would love that, wouldn't she?


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All I can say about Roseline is think about have everything ended for her.. We as human, sometimes never get over things like that. She never has a chances to deal with what had ahppen to her. She toold all that grief, hatetred, sadness with her.

I think maybe her persistence and her tenacity might helps us see what her real gift is. She figures it out...she sticks to something and gets it done. Like with automobiles. She can just figure it out, and in the car situation, she can fix it. And I think the early lessons in beauty and social grace that her parents so "wonderfully" taught her, have given her a line, so to speak, from which to draw all conclusions.

She is beautiful, therefore everyone loves her...but Edward didn't and that drives her nuts.

She wanted/wants children and family, therefore all women eventually want that...but Bella doesn't seem to care about that and that is inconceivable to her.

Of course, in both of these instances, we also see her major flaw...which she also sees- vanity and selfishness. Everything starts at a point drawing out from her.

Still though, I do think, when you combine what we know about her mechanical skills and her introspection about the events her life, this might be a valid theory...I mean, just think about her methodical plan and decisions about revenge. She knew what "needed" to be done and the best way to carry it out for herself and for her prey.

Hmmm...I will continue to ponder this one. Is this our third Rosalie thread? She is the least understood at this point...

Just love all the possiblilites that are being tossed around here. It's exciting that one of the minor characters in the books (not trying to slight Rosalie fans, just from the main storyline pov), is complex enough to keep all of our creative juices flowing. It's fun that someone who, on first glance, appears nothing more than materialistic and superficial, can keep us thinking and wondering this long.

Thats what I love about SM writing.

I think its sad what happened to Rosalie. She never got to acheive anything she wanted. I believe there is a lot of jelousy towards Bella. That Bella has the choice to achieve everything she wants and she, in Rosalie's mind, is throwing that all away. Even though Bella doesn't see it that way.

I agree! One of the great things about these books is that it seems that ALL of the minor characters (not the smaller, smaller ones...like Angela, Jessica Mike, etc.) but the minor Cullen characters especially have our complete attention and leave us with the desire to know more!

On the Lex in PC#6 SM says that Rosalies gift was her beauty. Edward Lied when he told Bella it was her tenacity. I think he lied because he knew how self concious Bella felt about herself compared to Rosalie. Also so that Rosalie was supposed to be for Him. Bella would really feel pretty Crappy. But if Rosalie's gift is her beauty, what real purpose does that serve?

I still think she is rather tenacious

tenacious defined: holding firmly, retentive, persistant,stubborn,strongly cohesive or adhesive.

She does hold firmly on to her beliefs, she does have a retentive memory, persistant and stubborn ( yes she is that), cohesive or adhesive I am not sure, what do you think?