Life Lessons From Bella Swan by Daisy

Life Lessons From Bella Swan by Daisy - April 2014 Scholarship Essay

I can say with confidence that the character who has most influenced me out of all the books I have read is Bella Swan from the Twilight series. However, I would like to explain that although I consider her the character who has inspired me the most, it is because she made me realize exactly the type of person I aspire NOT to be.

After reading the Twilight series in my middle school days, I began to wonder if it was normal for women to be so utterly dependent on the men in their lives as Bella is upon Edward. I looked at the women in my life whom I hold in high regard, such as my mom, aunt, and grandmother, and came to the conclusion that no, it is not normal, nor healthy to be so dependent upon someone else. I realized that even if it was the norm to attach your self-worth to someone else, I wouldn’t want to live that way. I don’t want to judge whether or not I deserve to occupy space on this planet based on the approval and love of a boy who sparkles. As they say, “all that glitters is not gold.”

When Edward leaves Bella “for her sake,” she becomes incapacitated, unable to function. The book then explains how she mopes about and generally does nothing for a few months. I understand her heartbreak and the lack of motivation she feels to function like a proper human being in this scenario. Really, I do. It’s devastating to lose someone you love. The issue I have with Edward’s departure and Bella’s response however is that Bella doesn’t do anything. Ok, at the end she does do something, I’ll give her that. But, I couldn’t help but ask myself as I was reading the books, why doesn’t she go and try to win Edward back earlier? From Bella’s lack of action, I realized things don’t happen unless you make them happen. As John Green states in his book The Fault in Our Stars, “the world is not a wish-granting factory.” If you want something, you go and get it, or at least make an effort to see that desire come to realization. Bella helped me realize that some things are worth fighting for, and when you run into those things, you sure better run to the armory, equip yourself, and prepare for battle.

Although I have many issues with Bella’s character, I still love the Twilight series. It is one of my guilty pleasures. For me, her character has provided many learning opportunities that I have been able to apply to my life. Bella taught me by non-example that basing your self-worth on someone else is not a good idea and that when I want something, I have to make it happen. Bella is a good girl, just not a good character for girls. Even though I do not admire the character Bella Swan, she has greatly impacted me and how I have chosen to live my life.