The song for this chapter is How Does It Feel by Avril Lavigne (suggested by Kelcey M)
[audio:https://twilightguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/howdoesitfeel.mp3]
It feels very odd coming to the final chapter of Twilight, when it seems like it was just yesterday that I started on this book. I know that most of you are probably gagging and choking at the moment. Feels like only yesterday? says he. Sheesh. One more week of waiting and it’d be to the pit of lions with him for sure.
This happens to be the chapter in which all things are resolved, and the final pieces of the first part of the Twilight Saga are brought to a close. Bella, awakening in a hospital, finds herself alive: and not only that, she finds Edward is still at her side, as he has been since the moment he found her with James.
One of my emailers used this scene as an example of why she despises Edward: and I find it also as one of the leading reasons many guys do not understand Twilight. They say that Edward is solidly over-protective of Bella, to the point of obsession: staying by her side for days and nights at the hospital, among the many other times he has lurked about with his eye on her. Although some of the Edward fans will try to deny it, there is no getting around the fact that he seems to always be watching Bella, keeping her in sight in case something happens. Is this a bad or a good thing?
Again, as always, you must peel away the layers and look to the core of Edward’s intentions. While this could certainly merit a checkup with a psychiatrist if Edward was a human, you have to remember that Edward is not a human. He is a vampire, and somehow things inside his head are different than other humans who match his (outward) age. Does it have something to do with the fact that he is so much older than the others, that he has matured enough so that selfishness doesn’t taint his reasoning as badly? I see it that his intentions for Bella are only the best, and he has proven it throughout the book. He watches her because he has seen how much danger follows her.
Edward knows what Bella wants, and yet he is against changing her. His reason is because he cares enough about her that he does not want to enslave her to the same state as he is. However, for Bella to remain a human means that she will die. For her to die would mean that Edward would be left alone again without her. Is that what he wants? I’m sure we all know the answer. But even though he wishes that he could change her, and have her with him for eternity, and Bella wants it as well, Edward wants what is best for her more:
“…as long as it makes you happy…as long as it’s what’s best for you.”
No matter what it takes he wants the best for Bella. In this chapter, Edward tries to tell Bella that he is leaving her: that he wants her to go to Florida with her mom and stay there, away from him. Of course, this is not what he wants. We’ve seen how much Bella means to him, so much that in the previous chapter he is willing to risk everything to save her. But in the end, it is what is best for Bella that is still his top priority.
You do have to remember, especially, that his lips were against her hand in the previous chapter. If there was ever a chance for Edward to think of himself for once, and allow Bella to turn into a vampire, he had it then. But instead, he chose to save Bella’s life as a human. Because of this, I see exactly why those on Team Edward trust him so well, and why Edward is such a shining light for so many millions of Twilight readers around the world. It is easy to trust someone who loves unselfishly.
Along these lines, I’ve finally noticed how much Bella and Edward argue. I mean, they argue a lot. This immediately reminded me of my own grandparents. They argue all the time, about anything and everything under the sun. This month, it’s been sixty-one years of marriage, and they still bicker like you wouldn’t believe. It is hilarious, and they know it too. But any outside person might begin to ask, as with Bella and Edward: why on earth are you two still together?
The reason is simple: they are together because they simply cannot be apart. True love is binding, and unselfish, and holds through any of the arguing and fighting and bickering that comes along between two people who are meant to be together for the rest of their lives. Twilight is not simply one of those ‘happily ever after’ stories where the two ride off into the sunset. It is real, with love that is just as difficult and confusing as in life: but it is worth it, because it is true.
Still, I hover around listening to Bella and Edward bicker, like an eavesdropping doctor about to explode into shouts of
That said, I can only imagine the demise of James, at the hands of two angry vampires:
(Bella:) “What happened to James?”
“After I pulled him off of you, Emmett and Jasper took care of him.”
[audio:https://twilightguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/uhoh.mp3]
Shiver.
I just loved how cleverly in-the-dark Bella’s mom is. Crime in town? The dance studio burned to the ground? With a stolen car outside? Oh the loverly coincidences in this town (snicker, snicker).
Also, I found a bit of amusement in Edward’s excuse to Bella’s mom:
(Bella:) “Why did you tell her I’m here?”
“You fell down two flights of stairs and through a window.” He paused. “Then, you collided into the back of an ice cream truck which upon impact sent canisters of cold cream spiraling into the street, one of which tripped you into falling out of the truck again and down another flight of stairs into a subway tunnel, where you collided with no fewer than three dozen people and a small poodle on your way down, finally coming to rest by knocking over three trash cans.”
He shrugged. “Hey, it had to be believable. Two flights of stairs and a window just sounded contrived.”
My post on the epilogue will be Saturday, with the results for the Twilight Song and my final thoughts on the book.
——NOTES——
– This week, there will be no Friday post, so that I can go seamlessly from the last chapter to the Epilogue. See you Saturday!
147 Responses
You finally finished the last chapter! YAY!!! I’m excited for you to get on to New Moon where the story REALLY gets going!
YAY!!! I’m the first one readin your post about the final chapter!!
Yeah, I agree with you about the true love andthe bickering thing, because in real life, true love is not always be happy and etc…
Soo kaleb! see you on saturday!!
Yay your done! Now to wait (im)patiently for the epilogue which im not gonna be able to read for two weeks :'(
YAY YOU’RE DONE!!! …well except for the epilogue of course… lol now read New Moon & Eclipse super fast so you can move on to Breaking Dawn when it comes out! Please?!?!?! =D
Haha I loved the whole ice cream truck thing. That could totally happen. Lol!
I’m excited to read your final thoughts and see what song you pick. XD
@Christine #3: two weeks? Um, it’s this Saturday. Only two days 😀
Last Chapter! woohoo! You are completeley right on why everyone loves Edward, and how him being so protective of Bella is NOT creepy or stalker-ish. He’s being Edward, the vampire, not human, who loves Bella Swan, and is willing to do anything for her. He cannot be without her, so he goes to great levels to keep her safe.
Awesome! You’re done!
I loved the whole paragraph starting with “The reason is simple: …” You just get the book so well!
Maybe Christine won’t be able to get ahold of a computer for 2 weeks…
61 years? Awww, congratulations Twilight Guy’s Grandpeppies.
You hit the nail on the head regarding the B&E love dynamic.
hehe, go epilogue!!!
Also I have to say that Edward can afford to spend so much time protecting Bella because, hello, the 100 yr. old vampire has already done everything else.
woops spelling error on “completely”. sorry..
haha! -laughs at sound clip for James’ death-
Thats hilarious XD! I love how random your humor is. -is still giggling-
I think being able to see what other people are thinking is a good enough reason to be overprotective.
Oh I know it comes out Saturday. But I’ll be on vacation with no computers starting Friday night, so no reading it. *sadness*
Yay. I’m so glad you’re done reading Twilight. I find myself checking your website multiple times daily seeing if you finished it yet. I sighed with relief just a few moments ago. Now finish the epilogue and get started on New Moon so we can all live our lives happier. 🙂
FINALLY.
Actually Kaleb, New Moon would reveal the reason of why Edward would want Bella to stay human. (Your reason is partly true also..) 🙂
So hurry up read the epilogue and move on to Book 2!!
Know I really think that Spunk gets most of the mentally troubled roles…though he plays them well. Very nice edition of the dun dun DUN.
Favorite Twilight chapter review ever.
AWWWW Kaleb I am SO proud of you!!! I cannot wait until you read the rest of the books!!!!They are just going to dazzle you more and more!!!!AWWW I’m so excited for you!!!YEAH!!!!
I loved your insight into how and why they argue and why they’re still together. The bickering of your grandparents is probably hilarious :] Mine are either widows or divorced and they’re not cute old folk so I haven’t experienced that so i guess I can live vicariously through you 😛
Thanks for doing a spanking job covering the Twilight extravaganza. 😀 I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on New Moon :] especially your pictures!!! lol
woo!! You did it!
Me and my kitten Jasper salute you!
Yay!You finished the book!!Can’t wait for you to start New Moon!
Kaleb, you should be a poet. Haha, you have a way with words and how to use them. I really loved how you described true love =)
Even though people are rushing you to get to the next book, I think it’s a good thing to take your time, it kind of lets you savor each chapter (unlike us crazy Twilighters who gobble them up as if we’ve been unfed for days, lol). Plus if you were to finish New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn (when it comes out) too quickly, I would wonder where would I go to each day for some laughs. =D
Oooh! And a huge congratulations to your grandparents! 61 years!!!! =)
Kaleb, you should be a poet. Haha, you have a way with words and how to use them. I really loved how you described true love =)
Even though people are rushing you to get to the next book, I think it’s a good thing to take your time, it kind of lets you savor each chapter (unlike us crazy Twilighters who gobble them up as if we’ve been unfed for days, lol). Plus if you were to finish New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn (when it comes out) too quickly, I would wonder where would I go to each day for some laughs. =D
Oooh! And congratulations to your grandparents! 61 years!
“No matter what it takes he wants the best for Bella.”
You catch on very well! It’s so hard not to burst and tell you EVERYTHING that happens!
I’ve been reading your blogs for a couple of months and I’m impressed with the amount of thinking you’ve put into this. I’ve meet zero guys and few girls who think about a book with so much depth. Bravo!
… do you ever feel like Oprah? Because sometimes I feel like you are sorta like Oprah.
Ask me about this if you don’t understand. XD
Either way its hilarious.
You know Kaleb…I’ve been reading your stuff and watching your videos, but this entry really made me have a revelation about you…You are one sweet, sensative guy. Don’t get all weirded out. I’m just giving a compliment. Anyway, I thought your words about true love and arguing were very insightful. That’s how my husband and I function. Its fun to argue because when the bad things happen…well it doesn’t seem so bad. I don’t know how to explain it. Its like…we’re just testing each other, and that keeps things interesting. Glad you are at the end. Now here comes New Moon. Let’s see what Team you are on now…
Finally, the end of this book. You really have to give yourself tons of pats on the back for analysing every important detail in the book and getting everything absolutely right. Read epilogue and move into New Moon 🙂
well, i was about to go to sleep when lo and behold – you updated! i can tell you liked the book without Saturday’s finale. 🙂 but i anticipate the entry, nonetheless.
Kaleb…. why didn’t you just do a combined last chapter/Epilouge post??? you could get onto new moon so much faster!!!! i think you’ll stay an edward guy myself…
Oh my gosh XDD All I have to say is …
*Applause Applause* YOOU FINISHED THE BOOK XDD [almost, sorta, technically]
Congrats (: So glad your finished. Now this site can turn into the Twilight Saga Guy !!
I loved all your ‘deep’ thoughts, and how you caught things I never did before in each chapter !!
Can’t wait for the final post on the book ! (:
Woot Woot you finally finished!! Expect all the Twilight sites to make huge anouncements about this everywhere!! The sound clip was truly hilarious, I imagined it before and once I clicked the exact same sound that I was thinking just played! lol
I love how you have the whole love between Edward and Bella down! You rock, now hurry up and get to New Moon! 😀
What you’ve said in this post are ALL sooooo true. 🙂
yey!
i’m excited for your epilogue post 🙂
i hope the song would be “Time Is Running Out” 😀
NM…get the tissues…
EDWARD is the embodiment of everything wonderful, and…HE DANCES…of course he is want every woman wants…DUH!!!
YAY….. Now I cant wait til sat!!! How exciting….
Can you please read New Moon faster! I thought that the movie was going to come out before you finished Twilight, and with less than a month til Breaking Dawn, you need to read fast boy!!
But I do love your posts!!
Wow…I didn’t think that there were guys out there who saw love that way…nah, I’m only kidding with you!!
Just thought you ought to know: Today was the first day I read your blogs etc.
I went back and read all the chapter reviews…funny…I ask myself…Why am I doing this…Alas…It remains a mystery…
Congratulations on finally [almost] finishing Twilight!!
Beautiful interpretation of not only true love but the love between Edward and Bella which quite frankly knocked the young world right off their feet. Great job!
Your comments have been very insightful, as well as hilarious. You realize that in addition to the epilogue, you have to go to Stephenie’s website and read the outtakes and the first chapter of Midnight Sun. Do your fans a favor and read New Moon faster (a chapter a day would be great, do you really need to go to class?). We love your blogs, but you’re 2 books behind and less than a month, it will be 3 books behind. Manolo the Shoeblogger turned his blogs into a livelihood, I hope you are able to do the same.
Well Kaleb all i can say is…
well said!
Finally! another guy that enjoys the twilight series! i’m rooting for you! oh, and congrats on reaching the final chapter. Onward and upward to new moon!
That quote you wrote from twilight in your assesment of the book is important in New Moon. You really chose it well. I was impressed. Love your impression of the chapter. You are right, they aren’t perfect and argue alot, but in the end, they truly love each other. I’m happy that they don’t ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after. Life isn’t like that and Steph kept it real. To me, that’s great!
Haha… I love your version of her accident. It’s totally right… Bella is wayy to accident prone to just fall out a window!
I know I already told you the story with my dad, but I think you may need a sub category for Twilight Guys that know all about them but haven’t read them. The simple reason? The boy is 7 years old. Yes, my little brother, who was terrified of vampires and werewolves just a few weeks ago, can particpate in conversations about Twilight. My older cousins and him were discussing evil characters in movies and TV shows and all of a sudden he pipes up with, “Edward from Twilight!” So, I had to tell him that Edward was a good vampire and went into a whole explanation. He also knew about werewolves. Since he was terrified, I had no idea he paid attention when I talked about it. But he could follow every word I said! He asked me who the bad guy was so I told him “James.” He said, oh yeah, I remember now. He tried to kill Bella. “What was the name of one of the werewolves?” I told him. He was extremely happy because I told him that all werewolves are good (unlike vampires, which have their bad guys) and was delighted because he shares the name. When he’s old enought to not get nightmares from the books (and you gotta admit, as amazing as they are, they get scary sometimes), I intend to read it to him. I think you may have a Twilight Little Guy on your hands!
Honestly I think everyone is a bit overzealous in telling you what to do with your time. I personally like the slower take with the books. I’ve read the 3 available in the series 3 times. My hubby tells me I could have read the bible from cover to cover by now. Feel free to take your time, because that gives you time to think the chapters over, and give the educated comments we all so enjoy. Your doing a fantastic job Kaleb, and I can’t wait to read your own book.
WOW you are one smart cookie Kaleb! Not only have you almost finished twilight but you’ve understood it all and been able to realize what it is that drives all us crazy twi-hard team edward girls. haha loved the part about the arguing…just wait until you get to Eclipse! I don’t think there’s a chapter without arguing! jk jk lol. Can’t wait ’til Saturday !!!
Yay almost there! I really liked your analysis of Edward and his tendencies to be “over-protective.” I also liked your statement and comparison to your grandparents, that both couples cannot be apart. I think that explains Bella and Edward perfectly. Even though it seems sometimes they cannot be together or that they should not be together, they have to be, because they cannot be apart. Thank you for that! I liked that point 🙂
ahhhhh yay!!! your like basically done with the book! I can NOT wait to hear your final thoughts on everything from a guys prospective! I will be back on Saturday! 😉
Yay! The epilogue and final post will be on my birthday. Happy birthday to me! I love your posts, enjoy your insights, and I think you really do “get” Edward. Now, how is it that you’re still single? 😉
Congrats to your grandparents, that is awesome! 🙂