Reading Eclipse: Chapter 2 (Evasion)

188 Responses

1. We all know Edward is a little bit, wait no….WAY overprotective. And he did go overboard when he messed with her truck.

   Sure, we may know from Midnight Sun that he thinks differently than a lot of us, but does that give him the right to keep Bella from doing what she wants. The real problem- I think- is that Bella doesn’t see how wrong it is. Yes, she loves him, but she can’t enjoy life. Its always surrounded by Edward (I know, I know. She’s not really complaining about that). There’s no time where she can just have fun with her friends- well friends being Jacob Black. If I were Bella, I would seriously evaluate how much freedom I have in my relationship. If I were being controlled the way she is, I wouldn’t be a happy camper. I like spending time with friends sometimes. There are times when- even if you love the person you’re dating- you have to take a day off and hang out with friends. Its normal. We may not always do that, and we may not always like it, but we need to.

   I think that Edward just doesn’t get that. He really only has his family. Friends are kind of impossible for him. So he doesn’t understand that Bella needs other relationships and that her relationship with Jacob- however complicated it may be- is important. And we all know he is slightly jealous. We know later on that Edward complains about Jacob’s vivid mental pictures and fantasies. Something like that would make a man jealous, even if he is a supernatural creature.

   Edward may be acting in Bella’s best interests, but he also doesn’t see that he is being slightly selfish, in the tiniest way. He’s keeping Bella away from another man who deeply cares for her. She only sees him as a friend and yet Edward isn’t taking that seriously. He mainly sees Jacob’s side. If that’s not selfish, I don’t know what is. He’s making sure that all she knows is him. And so far, it works. She’s completely addicted to him and she’s fine with that. But she cn’t be held back from Jacob forever. A friendship as strong as theirs can’t be broken. And Edward pays for it in the long-run…even if only for a minute.

2. Edward will be Edward.

   haha look at me, talking about him like he’s real… sad day.

   **shakes head** britney spears… poor girl. lol

3. I don’t think he went too far with the truck. He’s truly in love with her and would die inside if anything happened to her. Messing with Bella’s truck is just Edward’s way of making sure he can keep an eye on her and make sure that she doesn’t get herself into any situation that could turn dangerous.

4. All i can say is that edward pretty much died inside when he thought bella was really dead, and will go to extremes not never have her in any danger EVER again. So knowing that she is friends with a werewolf, whom he does not know or trust and considers a dangerous creature (short tempered), i think it’s both. WE know jake wouldn’t hurt bella, but Edward obviously wasn’t there during the time when Jacob proved himself to us, so in Edward’s mind, he is protecting Bella from something dangerous, but he also doesn’t like the fact that she is friends with him.

5. Kaleb, i think you will understand better once Edward and Jake have their infamous conversation further into the book.

6. I agree that he went too far with the truck thing. The thing though is that while Edward is perfect, he’s not, well, you know…perfect. 🙂 And I think that at the time I’m sure he thought he was acting rationally.

7. I really love edward, and think that if he was human that yeah, he would be going too far. but seeing as he is a vampire it’s not as creepy and going too far. Also, seeing as he is a vampire and mortal enemies with the wolves, he has reason to not want bella to go see jacob.

8. Edward has a tendency to overreact when it comes to Bella’s safety. Yes, he went too far, but he can’t help himself. He will do anything to keep her safe, even if it makes her angry. Kaleb, check out the The Movie Fanatics comprehensive guide to Twilight (link is on Lexicon). You’re quoted in Part 2 – controversial issues re: Midnight Sun leak. Go Kaleb!

9. I think that Edward did go a little to far, as he did in New Moon, with trying to protect Bella. Conciously, all he wants is her safety, but subconsiously, he doesn’t want Bella to change her mind about him, so I think that they were both his reasons. Though, based on a converstion you haven’t read yet, and while it can’t be known for certain, I think that Edward is acting to protect her. There are several parts of both Eclipse and Breaking Dawn that I would use to back up my point, but I don’t want to spoil it.

10. I definitely thought he went too far, I was ticked when I read that part actually

11. Haha, I loved your post about math homework on your other site. That’s basically how all my math notebooks looked throughout high school. I decided to do the easy thing and go for an English degree, so I finished all the math I needed in high school =D

    That conversation with Charlie always makes me laugh so hard that I cry, every time I read it. And I’ve been through Eclipse at least six times, if not more. And that Blobfish…seriously scary stuff.

    Now onto your question. The main reason for preventing Bella from going to La Push is Edward knows just a little more than Bella does and doesn’t want her out of his sight. And he really does think the werewolves are dangerous, or at least an added danger Bella really doesn’t need, on top of falling in love with a vampire. You will find out later that Edward harbors some jealousy toward Jacob, but he represses it for another hope he doesn’t want to happen but will be better for Bella, in his mind. Sorry about being so evasive, I don’t want to spoil anything for you!

    He is being a bit controlling in the beginning of Eclipse, but it’s really because he’s insanely worried about Bella. He doesn’t want to lose her. And, as even his family admits, Edward goes a little overboard in trying to protect her. As much of a Team Edward fan I am, Edward’s overprotective qualities annoy me in this book. And if you are annoyed now, just wait. It’s about to get so much worse. You constantly want to knock some sense into Bella, Edward, and Jacob throughout this book.

    Soooo…there’s my evasive two cents on this chapter. It’s hard to answer your question because a lot of stuff that happens in Eclipse sways my answer. Can’t wait for you to read more!

12. I think Bella’s “danger magnetism” makes Edward a little more obsessed with protecting to such an extreme. I think people also forget that he was fighting against werewolves before Charlie was even born. He has never had a polite conversation with one and now he’s speaking with one that wants to take “his” Bella away. If you survived an exploding volcano 70 years ago and the love of your existence wanted to hike up to a dormant volcano, would you try to stop them? Edward also has a tendency to give Bella whatever he wants and his internal struggle to keep her away from Jacob has him a little crazier than usual about protecting her from any dangerous thing.

13. Cheryl, thanks for the volcano metaphor – I agree. Edward went about things the wrong way, but (as much as I love Jake and want Bella to be able to see him) Edward had every right to ask Bella not to see him. We all know Jake wants her for himself, and Bella should realize that she is only causing trouble by trying to have them both.

    And yes, Edward overreacts about everything. Steph herself said it was his main flaw.

    By the way, Kaleb, Edward actually almost lost her twice (James and cliff-diving) so he has reason to be even more paranoid.

14. I think it was a bit much to acually take apart her car. I know Edward has good intensions, so I don’t really blame him too much. But I am an Edward fan so I’m biased.

    P.S. Kaleb, what was with the blobfish? That was disgusting! Distgusting but at the same time hilarious. Love the topics much preffered by Charlie.

15. i completely agree kendall!that isnt a very healthy basis of a good relationship. and lets hope that girls realize this and notice the difference between reality and fantasy. but i wont even deny it, even i have wished more than once that edward was real….and then i remind myself that ppl like edward dont exsist and that i should be happy for what i haveand the good things to come in the future…

    btw: LOVED the post today!and the britney comment, HILARIOUS! LOL 😀

16. I hated hated hated Edward the first eight chapters of Eclipse, to the point where I was SO close to turning over to the Bella/Jacob ship. Good thing he improved, later on. Or else it was good-bye Edward.

17. Edward is an overprotective freak. It’s about the only thing that really annoys me about him. Just like Jacob thinks hanging out with Vampires as major health hazard, Edward feels the same way about the Werewolves. And obviously, Bella get’s into enough hazardous activities without driving out to meet them.
    Yes I think he went a little overboard in sabotaging her truck, but Edward was trying to protect her. Think of what happened to Emily. He went about protecting Bella in a schizo way, but I can understand his point of view.

18. I would have been so mad. Little to over protective for me.

    I still love Edward though.

19. I think that, yes, he is trying to protect her, but forcing her to do something is going too far… I got so frustrated with Bella when she just let him come through the window that night anyway. I mean, she’s like putty in his hands. It’s just so infuriating the way she can never get mad at him over the serious things.

20. reading over alot of these I see a bunch of my opinions in different ones so Im going to keep this short.

    edward is….edward, he is slightly overprotective and his motives(ie protection/love(the main emotion)and jealousy and selfishness) all tend to get mixed together and combined when it comes to Bella. He does understand that she needs friends and family and people who care about her. but on another level he just wishes one of those friends/family was not JAcob Black which is three parts selfish jealousy and one part protection (because intelectually he knows Jake would never hurt her).

    the truck insident was a bit much, but edward is prone to overreaction and even if we as outsiders think its a bit stupid of her, Bella doesnt really mind or dwell on it so why should we?

    funny post Kaleb, post another soon?

    😀 melissaturkey

21. Well, if we were talking about any other human man, then yes, he went a bit too far. However, we aren’t – thank God – and this is Edward. And he is insanely in love with her, just as equally as Bella is insanely in love with him, so he has no limits to keeping her safe – will be more expressed in Breaking Dawn. And, to his defence – she did disappear, so, knowing his ability to over-react a bit (see New Moon) this is sort of expected.
    So, there. His case is somewhat justified a little.
    ilu to all!
    ps.
    the entire thing with the… Charlie incident-encountery thing, lets say, was HILLARIOUS! My thoughts xactlee!
    I still feel bad for Bella…

22. hmm… well, I don’t really know. From Edward’s POV, it’s to keep Bella safe. Because they are werewolves, which are vampire enemey #1, and Bella is openly in love with a vampire therefore she would logically be werewolf enemy #2, right after the vamps. Plus, Edward does not like Jake. And Jake really doesn’t like Edward. and since Alice can’t see them, Edward isn’t sure what they’re up to. So to him, taking apart the truck is perfectly reasonable becuase he can’t lose Bella.
    On the otherhand, from Bella’s POV he is being too overprotective. She wants to see her friend, and she knows the werewolves don’t want to hurt her. Edward is basically forcing her to do what he wants, not what she wants. Which, vampire or not, isn’t what a fiancee should be doing.

    But anyways, to avoid rambling on and on about Edward (and believe me, I could), I’ll just sum it up. This is just Edward being Edward. The overprotective overthinking sparkly vampire fiancee that he is.

23. plus, given how he reacts at other times, taking about her truck is pretty rational for Edward. Much more sane than say, leaving her like in New Moon and thinking she’ll move on, or the deal he makes in Breaking Dawn with Jake.
    This is just how Edward deals with things, he overreacts.

24. oops, I meant taking APART her truck, lol

25. ok, Edwars goes totally overboard here. In Twilight, i was completly in love with Edward, like everyone else on the planet. in New Moon he seemed kinda stupid, but was dealing with it. But Eclipse turned me into a total Jacob fan. This is a prime example of how Edward isnt thinking at all about what Bella wants. He’s treating her like a child then patting her on the head and saying, “you don’t understand”. WHY WOULD ANYONE PUT UP WITH A GUY LIKE THAT????

26. As much as I hate to admit it, he is putting a toe ever the line.

    Geez Kaleb, you made my day today, as I head a bad one, but you are just so funny. Thanks.

27. Taking apart her truck, forbidding her to visit LaPush against her informed wishes with no good explanation other than fear for her safety (explanations that she heard and discounted rationally) is disempowering her. There is a huge power difference between them in terms of physical strength. By discounting her informed choices in favor of his own wishes for her, Edward is treating Bella not as an equal partner in a loving relationship, with the right to make her own decisions, but as he would a child he was responsible for. The fact he has the power to do so, makes it all the more galling that he would abuse this power so against someone he claims to love. It is not right.

    Luckily, he sees that later, kind of – though really I wonder if he really understands this or if it is just fear of losing her emotionally that makes him decide to show more respect for her autonomy. Seriously, Edward shows his selfish side through this controlling behavior towards Bella.

    Then again, Jacob and Bella both show their selfish sides in this book as well. 🙂 It’s a great book for fleshing out the not so nice sides of the characters. Part of the Wurthuring Heights flavor I suppose.

28. I understand where Edward’s coming from, and the more I think about it, the more I think that I would do the same thing. I’m not saying that what he did was “right”, but he had some good reasons for doing it. I am a little biased, though:)

29. *holds hands up in self-defense”

    I think he is doing the best he can to protect Bella, but it is going too far if he thinks the best way is to keep her from doing what she wants. I, personally, would not be able to STAND Edward if he went to my school. Just the fact that he’s usually certain he’s right and always walks around with a smirk on his face would be enough to drive me up the wall. Yes, I understand that he is unselfish, handsome, and amazing in general. I just do not enjoy the company of people who overreact.

    Fran, you hit it right on the head. *claps*

30. *wants to say something about Edward, but can’t, as it is a spoiler*

31. I absolutely LOVE Edward, but he is very very overprotective. It really bugs me that he does this, and if some guy ever did this to me, he would be dead by now, but with everything that has gone on in the past, I can see that he might just be a little paranoid. I think that him killing bella’s truck is annoying, and selfish in a way, but also kinda romantic in a twisted way. He loves her so much 🙂

32. Oh yeah Edward went into “scary lifetime movie boyfriend who ends up beating you” mode

33. Excellent observations once again Kaleb! Pretty sure most of us girls agree with you on this one (from the abundance of comments above mine, lol) especially those of us who are a bit headstrong 🙂 Can’t wait to see your take on the trip to Florida!

34. I think that Edward is definatly too overprotective of Bella sometimes. I mean whatever happened to making sure that Bella is happy? By Edward not letting Bella see Jacob is hurting her. The longer that Bella is away from Jacob the more he is hurting too.

35. In Edward’s mind the wolves are dangerous and unstable. (think about what happend to Emily) He is doing this to:
    1. protect Bella
    2. and a little beacuse part of him won’t let him forget how it felt like to think of her as dead
    3. beacuse it hurts to lose her for a little while, especially to Jacob
    4. and beacuse he IS jealouse of Jacob
    At least that’s what I think^^

36. This is exactly why i’m team jacob. Edward is wayyyy too overprotective. It bugged me to death that he doesn’t let bella visit jake.

37. ok well…. twilight world with vamps and warewolfs no edward did not go to far
    real world only humens yes he did and i would have kicked him and ran b4 he could have said another word he would he to beg on his knees and then mayb i would forgive hime (im no 1s pet no matter how in love)

38. This is the thing that a lot of people critcize the Twilight books for. If they get past the first two without getting offended because it’s “anti-feminist” (insert my laughter), then they get angry because Edward exhibits the behavior of an abusive boyfriend in Eclipse. But the thing is, nothing that happens in Twilight can be taken out of context. This is immediately following Edward’s long and painful separation from Bella, and he came back to Forks to find her in more arguably more danger than she’s ever been before (werewolves, vampires, and sex talks, oh my!). Most girls wouldn’t tolerate this behavior from their boyfriends, but Edward is trying. He is trying so hard to do what is right for her, and this little incident is just one of his many overreactions. Stephenie talked about this once. At the beginning of New Moon, Edward overreacted by removing himself completely from Bella’s life. When that didn’t work, he decided to ALWAYS be with her, and that means he has to always know where she is. Obviously, Bella’s not going to like that too much, so it seems like Edward has made another mistake. His problem is that it takes him a while to find a happy medium. So no, I don’t really have a problem with it. I understand completely what his motivations are.

39. my ~~blobfish
    ty for making me e-famous

40. Edward was being a BIT of a conrtol freak (understatment). But, it was only becuase he cared for Bella….if you judge him by his motives, than you can’t hate him TOO much, but if you take it as he puts her “safety” before her happiness and doesen’t really care if it makes her miserable, or that Jacob saved her numerous times when he wasn’t there to, Edward seems like a wee bit of a jerk here.

41. Well, since Edward really thinks that Werewolves = Death I don’t think he went to far. He’s trying to keep her alive. And Alice can’t see what will happen to her when she’s with them. He doesn’t want to go through losing her again even though the first time wasn’t real.

42. edward just over thinks everything and knows that bella attracts trouble. i think he’s right in doing what he can to stop her from going around by herself. sure a part of him doesn’t want her around jacob because he’s jealous but la push is the one place he can’t go and make sure she’s safe.

43. As always you have made my entire night 🙂 I love your posts.

    If Edward went too far in messing with Bella’s truck (yeah… he probably did…) I still got a lot of giggles out of it when he did 🙂

    ~Georgia

44. ya know…you are very intuitive, maybe you need to stop guessing about things and read them and find out :p

    I think that Edward did go a bit far with the truck thing but Charlie did it to Bella’s truck too, but i guess he is the parent. I think Edward is an extemest, as you can tell with New Moon he left and completely removed himself from her life and now he is controlling all aspects of it, but i believe its good intentioned. Ugh I want to tell you more but I guess I’ll shut my trap and let you find out for yourself 🙂

45. Edward may not be human, but he is still a man. Hmm, been doing some reading ahead Kaleb???

46. I think maybe it was a little too far, but it was justified. If he can’t be around her and Alice can’t see her how is he supposed to know she’s ok? So I think that was kind of the only option from his perspective.

47. On one hand, Edward is being a little overprotective, but he’s only doing it because he couldn’t bear it if something was to happen to Bella that he could have prevented.

    Also, if you notice, he doesn’t let Bella go to LaPush, but then he backs off and gives her a choice of whether or not to leave the window open. He knew it would probably make Bella angry, which would hurt him, but he honestly thinks it’s for her own good.

    I’m really not sure where I stand on the overprotectiveness thing. On one hand, it’s creepy, but I had a slightly overprotective guy friend who was the best friend I ever had, and who would be hard to live without. Besides, the great thing about the book is that all of the characters have their flaws, but we accept them and love them anyways, because we know we have our own flaws, too, and want other people to accept us in spite of them.

48. I think that he was trying to protect her. I’m trying to think back to when i was reading this part, and i’m pretty sure i was pretty dang ok with it. i like it when someone is overprotective. it makes it seem like they love that person more. 🙂

49. Umm, me and my friends actually had a discussion about Edward today on this subject.

    If you really think about it (I love Edward mind you) he is sorta stalker-ish. Okay now before all of you hunt me down and kill me let me explain myself.

    He like watches Bella through her window…umm girls seriously if some guy is doing that to you you REALLY need to realize that’s weird. If it was anyone but Edward we ALL know we would be calling the cops. Then again all Bella has to do is scream down the hall but whatever.

    Now knowing that Edward and Bella are like you know perfect together this is fine. But think about what it was like in the beginning. When she didn’t know she was being watched…

    Anyways…Edward is sort of out of line. He’s “protecting” her, but after all he doesn’t own her. She’s not his property. He shouldn’t be able to tell her when she can go where. He has every right to say, “I would rather you not go” but he’s not even giving her that. It’s “I don’t want you to go so you’re not” (Not that Edward would EVER say that because he’s too amazing). It just shows you even Magestic-Wonderful-GreekGodlike-Perfect-SuperHott-Edward isn’t perfect…

    For all of those wondering I’m not a huge Jacob fan…i’ve always been on Edward’s side but there are some things about him that aren’t…I don’t know how to say this without getting hate comments… He’s not…

    You know fill in the blank with whatever word/words you find appropriate!

50. Thank goodness this is all fiction! I LOVE Edward, but nothing would turn me off more than this kind of behavior in real life. If this were real, it would be one seriously unhealthy relationship! Not just from Edward’s side – they are both pretty ridiculous. (Opening the window, having a full on break-down when he leaves in NM, then just forgiving and forgetting in a ten second epiphany, etc.)

    Sadly, for some people, this type of insecure, jealous behavior by a partner is “real life”. Someone mistaking jealousy and control for love is tragic. Too many teenage girls make this mistake. (And adult women as well.) In the Twilight world I am a full-on Edward girl, but in the real world a guy like Jacob would be a much healthier choice. Even healthier would be focusing on yourself, learning to be ok without a man, getting an education, travelling, becoming a more interesting person, etc.

    Thank goodness it’s fiction because I just get to LOVE Edward without consequence and with my feminist sensibilities still intact!