The song for this chapter is Realize by Colbie Caillat
[audio:https://twilightguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/realize2.mp3]
So here I am– the chapter that started it all. From the original dream Stephenie had of two people in a meadow all the way to being one of the biggest book series in the world: this chapter obviously holds some serious significance. The conversation and the chapter seem to be so short, but so much happens within its pages.
Suddenly, it all begins to fall into place: using few words, Edward is immediately someone new. He passingly refers to his classmates as ‘that class full of children’. While talking about the time he was rearranging his school schedule to avoid Bella, he speaks of the lady at the desk as a ‘frail human’. It is this unseen superiority over everyone else which seems to automatically set him above the others around him: the fact that he has lived for so many years and yet has been forced to act like a normal teenager. Far out in the meadow, Edward is removing the mask he has so painstakingly built, and letting Bella in on the secrets of his life.
Edward, still, continues to ask Bella more about herself. The questions which Edward constantly asks of her brings forth another point I have ascertained from conversations with Twilighters about why they like him so much. Part if it, I’ve observed, is the fact that Edward, though the epitome of a perfect guy, is still obsessed with everything Bella. He wants her to go far back into her family history, and what foods she eats, what her old home was like, what music she listens to. He literally wants to know everything about her.
On top of this fact, Bella really doesn’t understand why he pays her so much attention. She thinks of herself as a very ordinary girl. But despite this, Edward is fascinated by her. He values her so highly that it is hard to control himself around her. Edward finally tells what he has been thinking through these first 300 pages:
“I couldn’t live with myself if I ever hurt you. You don’t know how it’s tortured me…”
It’s as if to him, she’s a fragile jewel, and he loves her so much he is afraid of breaking her. He values her above anything else in the world- enough to fight off his natural vampire instincts which plague him every second he is near her.
For some reason, I’m guessing because of writing for this website, some people have come to believe that I am their on-call Relationship Doctor. Or the Mister Fixit for ‘How Can I Get My BoyFriend To Read Twilight And Grow Up A Little?’. I usually tell them basically the same thing:
Dear You, do this:
YOU: Boyfriend! Please read Twilight. It would make me happy.
BOYFRIEND (staring at video game screen): Whut?
YOU: Okay. Read Twilight or else.
BOYFRIEND (eyes not leaving screen): or else whut?
YOU: Or else I’m leaving you for a fictional character.
And then he comes here huffin and puffin, and I have another GJ to deal with. I don’t understand these certain guys who are so obsessed with video games or sports or whatever else, that they prioritize them above their own girlfriends. There are so many lessons to be learned from Chapter 13, and I am especially talking to the fellows reading in the shadows. What girl wouldn’t want to hear this:
“You are the most important thing to me now. The most important thing to me ever.” (EC)
Guys, I hate to break it to you, but there are many reasons girls love Edward Cullen. And one of them is he pretty much values her over himself.
I’m hoping that I’m not just insane and completely off on this, since I am, after all, a guy observing from the outside. I could really be far off the mark in what I am seeing. If I’m gravely mistaken, be sure to warn me in the comments. No point in me giving other guys bad advice 😀
After Edward, something I noticed suddenly is one of the reasons I am guessing that he likes Bella, besides the facts we already know so well. She plays right along. She isn’t terrified, or freaked out, or at least doesn’t show it. She just goes along with him and she is sincere in believing that he isn’t going to hurt her.
Edward, despite being so much older and more mature than the others around him, still doesn’t seem to know exactly how to love someone. He doesn’t know how humans love each other, or what he is supposed to do, as he has never experienced it before even in all his many years of life (unless I missed a paragraph…).
Despite this, he acts in a very human manner after talking with Bella in the meadow, and proceeds to run through the woods like a caveman warrior who just caught his first woman.
Ug.
Some guys are just that way when they fall for a girl for the first time. Haven’t changed much since the Stone Age. But he is obviously very happy to finally be able to trust Bella with the truth of what has been happening, and end the acting between them.
I paused in the middle of the chapter to grab something to drink, and the first line I saw when I came back was:
“He streaked through the dark”
I gasped and choked. Luckily, the sentence continued:
“…thick underbrush of the forest like a bullet”
Whew. If there’s anything I don’t want to imagine, it’s–ok anyhow, I must admit that through all the things I have read, after all the wonderful stuff people have told me, I still was hesitant to read Chapter 13. The reason for this is I didn’t expect it to live up to my expectations. I was dreading some smooth tell all from both of them and then Bella would go home up to her ears in love.
However, that wasn’t the case. This chapter was honestly probably the most pivotal I have read so far. The relationship between Bella and Edward really deepens in this one farther than I thought could happen in so few pages.
Like you promised me, it’s the one that hooks you in to reading the rest. So don’t be surprised if I just go into a frenzy and read the remaining parts of the book at once 😀
——NOTES——
– I’ve watched all of the auditions for Team Twilighter and there’s some great talent in there! Katie said the deadline for auditions has been moved to June 13th, so if you haven’t done it yet, get yours in! I’ll be watching them as they come in.
– I probably got a hundred suggestions for songs for Chapter 13. Does anyone think I picked the right/wrong one or anything? It’s honestly kinda hard to pick a song for The Famous Chapter 13.
– I saw the Breaking Dawn cover. I’ll probably talk about how I interpret its meaning in another post.
– Still can’t add people on Facebook (despite all the people who don’t heed these messages). Please try going to my myspace instead. Thanks!
-ADDED: Some people have started mentioning me in Youtube videos. If anybody catches a mention of me, zap me an email so I can check it out.
163 Responses
i have to say, i read twilight when it was still new, but the last sentence (i wont ruin it for u) made me think that was it, the end…and then, after being begged and begged (and working overtime to get the extra cash) I bought it at Barnes and Noble…and realized I had read it before. Eager, realizing one of my favorite books had sequels, i begged my uncle to spot me the money to buy new moon and eclipse (ironically enough, it was on the 31st…lol) and fell in love all over again, so I started checking out twilight sites…besides the lex, and steph’s site, i have to say…I like yours the most =]
keep on writing…because i’m eager to hear what else you have to say
You are perfectly correct in saying why girls value Edward so highly. It is because he puts her before himself, but it’s not because he wants to prove something. It’s because he genuinely cares.
FYI, the exact same thing happened to me when I read the “streaked through the dark” line. I had to completely re-read a lot of it to clear my head. Haha!
Anyhow, congrats on getting to Chapter Thirteen! Keep it up.
I’m not so sure about Realize as the song. Maybe it’s just because I’ve read all three books and there are other chapters that I might choose for this song.. Or maybe I’m just too tired to think and write coherently.
I think you got it right about why girls love Edward. Honestly, if someone doesn’t value me, I’m gone.
If I were to chose a song for the infamous chapter 13, I’d go with something along the lines of Muse’s “Falling Away With You.” I think “Realize” works, but the song choice could be better.
ahhah don’t worry. Edward doesn’t take off anything more than a shirt for a longgggggggggggg time (i’m not telling you HOW long, since i think that sort of counts as a spoiler?)
hey kaleb! this is mckenna. i run the Team Twilighter MySpace page. i really hope that you check it out, and maybe you could even audition yourself. 😉 we need more twilight guy vloggers.
Kaleb, you’re right about why I like Edward…because he likes Bella…a lot…and he shows it. I only dream that a guy would be so attentive to me, or invest that much time and effort on ME. S.Meyer makes Edward say things a girl can only fantsize a dude will say to her. But sadly, guys don’t really CARE about girls. 🙁
Yep, hit the nail on the head. That is just what makes Edward so swoon-worthy. In fact, I think I’m swooning over him right now after you reminded me of all the reasons to love Edward Cullen…sigh
Great sight, got the link off of twilighted.net. Was not expecting it to be so funny though, made me lol. Great job, and I can’t wait to read more. 🙂
I think you’re absolutely right about Edward. I’m sure that many boyfriends are out there that may feel that their girlfriend is the most important person in the world, but very few are out there that will say so aloud and on as regular a basis as Edward.
I’m going to send a link to this to my boyfriend, who has so far refused to read Twilight. I’ve given up begging him to read the book, but maybe this will lead to a bit more understanding.
Here’s why I think girls love edward, and as a girl who over analyzes everything I think I may be right.
Edward’s superiority complex is so attractive just like… Mr. Darcy.
Naturally (I’m a biology major) I believe that women (remember, I am one too) want a man who is the top guy. We want a guy who can take control of the room just by walking in. We want a guy who can “tame” us… maybe tame is the wrong word.
But at the same time he has to love us. And if he is soooo great and so strong and so powerful and he wants us well then… doesnt that make us the best of the best?
Edward Cullen IS the new Mr. Darcy.
and guys… even if you aren’t the alpha dog, acting like it (subtly) will work just as well.
Man, I love your blog. So much. It is ridiculous.
I think you are pretty spot on with one of the reasons why Edward is so great, but it isn’t only that. One of the things that I love is how much he is willing to sacrifice to be with her. He is willing to go against nature to love her. Even though her blood calls to him with greater force than anyone else’s, he wants to be with her (even though it is sometimes PHYSICALLY painful for him!) Oh Edward Cullen. How I wish you were real.
From here on its pretty good. I LOVE THE NEXT CHAPTER (but not as much as this one). So keep reading!
And hey! Now you know what to think when people talk about “The Meadow!”
You are exactly correct in what you said. So don’t worry. Or at least, that’s what all the Twilighters I know think.
For the song choice, well, for me it would be hard to choose. I listened to only 2 albums the entire time reading the Twilight series.
I listened to the soundtrack for Romeo and Juliet, the 60’s version. And I listened to Hayley Westenra’s album Celtic Treasure.
Those are just so good in my mind, and captures it all to me. But that’s me. I don’t really listen to other music myself besides Instrumental, Classical, and Vocal. Oh, and World.
Am i coment 13 for chapter 13? YAY… anyway…. NO YOU ARE TOTALLY RIGHT KALEB! this is one of the biggest reasons…dont they say that sacrificial love is the most powerful? I really enjoyed this chapter summary! and your right you really first see a whole new side of Edward. your summary was really insightful!
love your work keep it up! xo
I absolutely love your analysis of this chapter — you got everything spot-on.
I agree, it’s incredibly difficult to find a suitable song for this chapter… but if I had to choose, my personal choice would be No Control by Asher. It’s a great song, and I think it ties in really well with Edward.
Keep up the good work! Your site is always the first I check when I wake up in the morning.
You’re right, that is a big part of why we all love Edward.
By the way, I love your site. What a wonderful idea.
Chapter 14 contains my personal favourite scene in the whole book, and a perfect song for this chapter would be “Unintended” by Muse, in case you’re looking for suggestions.
Kaleb,
For being male, and so young, you are very insightful. Perhaps this comes from being a writer yourself? Perhaps you’ve had wonderful literature teachers? No matter what the reason, you are great and I’m glad you’ve chosen to share with us.
Good job on this chapter, Kaleb. I think you got the reason why we love Edward pretty close to the mark. The other reasons why my friend (and I) like Edward are because for one thing, as someone has already said, he goes against his very nature to be with and not harm Bella. He’s also not afraid to say “I love you” (sometimes not in those words, but the meaning is obvious.) to Bella. And he’s clean, too; apparently he tries not to have any dirty thoughts about Bella.
Those are only three of the other reasons…There are a LOT more…
OH, and Edward’s never been in love before (contrary to what many fanfiction writers have fantasized). There was one other female vampire who was…interested in him, but he returned no interest. (Famous line alert!)
Love your comments about Edward. You are totally right. It’s nice to hear a guy actually say how he really feels about the girl he’s with, and Edward has lived long enough to know that when you’ve found someone, you should say what you feel and let her know constantly.
The next chapter is just as wonderful…although every chapter from here is really good. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if you couldn’t put it down.
Keep writing!
Ok, first of all that girl Teresa that wrote that comment, is psycho..and I should know..
Lol, j/k anyway I think thats a good song, I really like Colbie Cailat.
You know you hit it right on the money about Edward. Every girl/woman dreams about having a boy/man obsess over them and make them feel like they are the most beautiful thing in the world. And your right, so many boys/men out there are so obsessed with the video games and sports to even notice thier wife/girlfriend. And so…
we have Edward to get us through..
Keep writing its awesome!
I love “Realize”. It’s one of my favorite songs right now. I’m not sure it has enough melodic intensity for this chapter (it’s always Muse for me…) but the words are perfect.
Edward also loves Bella because she’s so much more mature than the other people her age. She has her idiotic moments, of course, but on the whole she’s much more insightful and deep than everyone else.
I was going to say you should wait to interpret the [amazing intense way awesome] cover for Breaking Dawn until you’d finished Eclipse, but it might actually be interesting for you and us if you did it now, and then re-interpreted it later to see how your perceptions are changed by the other two books. 🙂
Great job on this chapter!!! Your reasoning for why every girl on the planet is in love with Edward is spot on…I just wish you could share this information to every man in the universe!!!
I think your choice of Realize as the song for this chapter is awesome…that is actually one of the songs that I associate with the Twilight saga all the time.
Can’t wait to hear what you have to say about Chapter 14!!! This site is awesome…it has officially become one of my favorite twilight sites!!!
You are absolutely right about Edward! Congratulations – you figured out why all girls love Edward Cullen! Continue to give that advice, Kaleb, because it is true that every girl wants to be put first in a guy’s life. The true challenge for us is finding someone willing to do so! But hey, you’re halfway there now that you realized what makes girls love Edward. Thinking that way, you will have girls banging down your door! (more than they already are, I imagine!)
OMG!!! I <3 You!! You’re so right about all the things you said!! I like the way you describe everything you fell & think while reading each chapter. And Edward related?? well… very true!! That’s a huge part that every girl love about EAMC!! Congrats!! Now you have a lot more fans [girls].
=D Keep reading, you’ll love the book, you’ll be so surprised!! =]~
<33 Ale xoxo
I love reading your reactions! But I don’t know how you are able to read only one chapter a day! I’m eager to see how you like it, but I have to wait until you read it! See, Edward would have raced through to please Bella, who waits impatiently for his reaction! Okay, not so sure about that, but I’m glad you like it so far!
You’re absolutely right about Edward and why girls love him.
On a side note, now I understand why you were so patient in reading the book…because you were dreading this chapter! You are honestly the slowest person ever to read this book. Most people start with chapter one and then can’t put it down until they’ve read the whole thing about ten times. I just didn’t get how you could be so annoyingly slow in getting to this chapter, but now I got it *wink* I’m excited by the prospect that the rest of the chapter discussions will come a little quicker from now on.
u have finally figured out why Edward Cullen has every girl who has read twilight (yes, unfortunately, some havn’t) irrevocably in love with him!! 😀
All I want is to be the most important thing in a guy’s life, not too much to ask…
love ur interpretations kaleb, its gr8 2 c a guy’s pov!!
xxx
I think you’re absolutely right. Girls love Edward because for once, he’s more interested in loving Bella than playing video games or any of the other things that seem to distract them.
The problem is, some girls aren’t equipped to understand that guys do need their own time. You’ll notice later on (and believe me I’m not ruining something for you by divulging this) Bella does understand and practically kicks Edward out the door when Jasper and Emmett suggest hunting trips.
It’s a give and take situation. Don’t give the girls too much wiggle space. They’ll take a mile of it.
I think you’re right about why girls like Edward.
By the way- I was just over at Ally Carter’s blog, and I saw that you commented there. You read those books too? Coolness…
@Ren: I’ve never read an Ally Carter book. Somehow I am subscribed to her blog, so I gave her a comment when she asked that question 🙂
–K
zee oh em gee haha
thats like one of the best chapters because it reminds me of how i attract girls
… yeah just kidding there
anyways the song is right on i really liked it
I’m glad it lived up to your expectations, and I think you interpreted it perfectly. By the way, nice legs Mr. Caveman, haha!
I think you nailed right on the head, that’s the reason why so many women old and young are in love with Edward a fictional character. He truly is the new Mr Darcy
You hit the nail on the head with you interpritation of why so many girls are in love with Edward. We all love to have someone who wants to hear what we say… and what we don’t say. I’m glad you enjoyed the Chapter, can’t wait to hear what you think of the next chapters 🙂
Agree with you completely on the whole Edward Cullen v. Normal Guys thing.
Oh, and I definitely think you should try and interpret the meaning of the cover. My friend and I were just talking about it, and we can’t figure it out.
Stephenie Meyer said this (and I’m paraphrasing) about the covers:
The first cover was supposed to be of a “forbidden fruit” (techinically, it was Bella to Edward, and vice versa).
The second had absolutely no meaning.
The third -the cut ribbon- was supposed to signify if you cut someone out of your life (ie: the ribbon), you won’t ever really do it entirely (ie: the frayed ends on the cover).
Breaking Dawn.. now that ones just funky, ain’t it?
Chess.. a game of wits?
Why is one piece red, and the other white? Why is the red piece in the background? Are they a king and queen, respectively (because I can’t remember)?
Explain, please. 🙂
Wow. I am truely amazed everytime I read how you interpret these chapters. I never thought it was possible for a boy to understand Twilight, thanks for proving me wrong!
As for the song, I’ve always thought The Scientist by Coldplay was perfect for Ch.13!
Your dead on right!!!! (Everyone knows that) Not much to say since you said it all!!! Now I can’t wait for your theory about the breaking dawn cover (can’t wait for the book to come out!)
Luv always,
Ashley
Oh i found an awsome girl who has her audition for Team Twilighter on YouTube. Look up Ashbadashhh there and the subject is Re: Looking for members of Team Twilighter! And about 6:55 she mentions you Kaleb. Shes awesome and i think she should be part of the team!!!
I’m looking forward to find out who wins the youtube twilighter competition. I would enter myself, if I had the hardware to compete.
I really loved your take on Chapter 13, and I can only tell you that it gets even better from there. Baseball anyone?
Maybe your theories are close to mine. I’m posting them on my Myspace (MissSparrow) in about an hour.. the computers here at school are java impaired.
I think both chess piece are like a before and after represenation of Bella.
Talk to you later. I’ve been trying to get a twilight guy to post on here.. his story is hilarious.
~Kimberley
Kaleb, you are incredibly intuitive for a bloke! Well done! haha Yes, I think men should read Twilight and take ‘Edward Lessons.’
For those who are not familiar with chess, the pieces are a queen and a pawn on the cover of Breaking Dawn with the queen in the forefront. Chess is a game of war, and the pawns are the weakest of pieces while the queen is the most powerful and versatile piece. Usually the pieces would be white and black conveying opposing armies. Hope that helps for those who are trying to decifer the symbolism of the cover. I’m still guessing myself. 🙂
Kaleb with that post I think you have just made yourself fangirl worthy! Prepare for swooning fangirls…they are definitely coming if you keep this up! You hit that mark perfectly about what girls love about Edward, he puts Bella before himself and he pays attention to everything she says because he really is interested and really cares! The guys of today really do need Edward lessons (or a trip to your website!) Coming from a girl with a group of guy friends I would kill to get them to read Twilight (and show that they actually do care!) but it probably won’t happen.
Keep up the great work, like I said its only a matter of time before you have crazed fangirls too! 🙂
You are completely right when you say that us girls like Edward Culllen because he puts Bella before himself. Theres probably more reasons why we like him so much, but that is one of them.
As I said before, my friend and I are making one of our friends that is a guy read Twilight and we were so suprised how weird he felt when someone saw him with the book in his hands as i was giving him my copy(which better be returned to me or i’ll kill him!)Twilight really isnt something guys should be ahamed of, its a very good book! =D
just to let everyone know…my students and I picked the top five twilight based websites for our twilight blog and we picked Twilight GUY as our number 4 pick!!!! You can check out our write-up on the site if you click on my name. I know you all love this site as much as we do!!!!
of course i forgot to type it in so you could actually do that.
Is… is it true? Did you really just crack the code as to why girls are in love with Edward Cullen?? Because he doesn’t sit around playing video games all freakin day and actually listens?
You, Kaleb, are my Hero of the Day. *gives badge*
When I come across the prefect song for chapter 13 I’ll zap it your way.
Great job on the blog. I think it is the best one so far!
Your reasons on why girls love Edward soo much are so true 🙂 Which girl wouldn`t love a guy that is completely drawn and absorted into her?? That`s why Edward is so great! I think this post has been on of your bests, it`s really cool to hear a guy`s persepctive on this particular chapter. Great Job!!
LOL! That picture of you is so funny.
sadly [#7] stef is quite right. guys don’t REALLY care about girls, they just wanna be able to say that they have a gf and that a girl cares about them. hypocritical, i know. THATS what makes Edward so gorgeous INSIDE…[and out too :D]
Congrates Kaleb. You figured it out!!! Us girls love Edward for those reasons. (ans the fact that he’s drool worthy.) lol.
Anyways…You should listen to Vampire Heart, by H.I.M
It’s good for this book.
Also!!! Silver and cold BY AFI!!! IT’s great. almost fainted when I heard it for the first time. ♥☺♥☺♥☺