OK, I recently succumbed to my own curiosity and watched "Twilight." While I understand that according to book fans the movie was somewhat disappointing (as nearly all movie adaptations are) it definitely gave me enough of an idea of what the series is about to think deeply about the larger implications of the franchises popularity.
In the book "Captivating" by John and Stasi Eldredge they define the primary questions in every woman's heart to be one, "Am I lovely," and two, "Am I worth fighting for?"
Recent generations of women have grown up sorely lacking the affirmation that they need from their fathers. Little girls need to be told that they're beautiful when they spin in their princess dresses. They need to know that they are worth the sacrifice of time for their father's to sit down to a tea party with Mr. Bear and Mrs. Snuggles. In the absence of this necessary validation, girls will seek comfort and pleasing words wherever they find them. This is one tragic reason there is so much sexual activity among today's youth.
In the Twilight series you have every girl's dream come true. The hero, Edward, so deeply desires Bella's company that he is willing to torture himself and deny everything in his nature just to be near her. His desire for her is all consuming and, quite literally, ravenous. He risks his comfort, his secrets, and even his life to protect and defend her. And she, being able to do nothing to defend herself, is able to allow him to protect her.
Now let's look at it from his side. In "Wild At Heart" John Eldredge sites the prevailing questions in a man's heart to be "Am I strong enough? Do I have what t takes?" I hate to revisit the old argument of all that is wrong in society, but...we are so messed up! Little boys are not allowed to be tough anymore! They are supposed to be sensitive and gentle, sit quietly and calmly. The very nature of what defines them as boys, different and wonderfully unique from girls, is criticized and called into question by society at large.
"Twilight" presents us with a hero who is fierce and impossibly strong, but in control of his faculties. He is driven to protect the object of his love no matter the danger to himself. This is a man that a boy would desire to emulate.
Now look at the heroine from a man's perspective. Of course she is beautiful but we'll leave that alone. Bella is devoted to Edward, knowing all his flaws and failings she is devoted to him. She knows he is immortal and she longs to, quite literally, send eternity with him. She honors his wishes and respects his strength, and she allows him to protect her. She is not so determined to be independent that she cannot acknowledge when he has saved her. This is a woman that a man longs to rescue, a woman he dreams of fighting for.
There has been a major androgenization of our society. Men are supposed to be more feminine, gentle, sensitive, and tender and women are supposed to be tough, fierce and driven. But these roles that society tells us we should be playing are contrary to our God-given nature. How, then, can we wonder when a story comes along that strikes a chord within us?
When a story comes along to tell a woman that she is lovely, that she is worth fighting for, she will be drawn to that message, for her heart has been crying to hear those words.
When a story comes along to tell a man that he has what it takes. He is strong enough to rescue the princess. When a man hears that he can be the hero, he will listen, for it is the validation for which he has been starving.
We cannot change the very nature God has given us. The popularity of "Twilight" is just a symptom of the great sexual identity crisis our society is facing. Men, it is not only OK to be masculine but it is remarkable, inspiring, and necessary for you to rise up and be men! Women, not only is it all right for you to be feminine, it brings beauty, grace and compassion to the world when you embrace the nature God gave you.
So, men and women of the world...be yourselves!
