At this very moment, in my apartment, the scent filling the air is that of rice, steak and jalapenos, as I just finished a wonderful Tex/Mex dish in my attempt to deviate from lasagna and swiss cheese (you are not alone: this has come as a shock to many). I found it curious that this chapter should be called ‘Scent’ when one of my biggest points in Chapter 9 was about the smell of Bella being on the pillows and clothes that had vanished from her room. Obviously, it’s something that the vampires and werewolves can smell: and something that the intruder took as evidence that he had actually found Bella.
It’s interesting how Edward and Jacob are working together in a somewhat manner. Though they still can’t bring themselves to stand in the same house as the other (seeing the destruction to the ballet studio when a vampire fight broke out is enough to make me agree) they still work around it. It seems childish, but I suppose it works.
And all this ridiculousness about Bella smelling. First Edward says something’s in her room. Then Jacob says something’s in her room. Then Jacob says it’s her hair. Since this chapter is called Scent you would think it would be a good scent, like sour cream and onion or peanut butter chocolate (I once knew a girl who had chocolate-chip cookie dough scented lip balm (or whatever they call it), which is a bit strange if you think about it…). Has Bella been bathing in old horseradish or are Jacob and Edward simply losing their minds? I find it funny how they both seem to be battling for her to smell like a wolf or a vampire.
I have a slight problem when reading that I’m sure all of you have realized by now. Sometimes, when I come to a very serious line, that I should be putting on my serious-business-face for, my brain recalls something else entirely, and instead I begin to chuckle at the memory, instead of being grave and somber for what was said. For example:
“…You know,” I teased halfheartedly, “this whole secrecy and deception thing is kind of a pain.”
Edward’s expression hardened. “It gets easier. After a few decades, everyone you know is dead. Problem solved.”
He sniffed. “In fact, that thought is so depressing, I might just break out into song.”
And thus a new career was born.
The deal fell through soon after...
Edward is doing much better in acting like a boyfriend instead of King Cullen, and I think even Bella is surprised. Of course, I don’t entirely blame him for the way he has been since they met (Bella isn’t called a danger-magnet for nothing, as I mentioned before). But it’s always nice to see that even Edward can grow up some and learn that he can’t watch Bella 24/7. The change really came about when Edward realized that he was being too controlling and that Bella actually can be trusted somewhat with her own safety (as long as this doesn’t involve cars, motorcycles, cliffs, water, tennis, needles, knives, mace spray, axes, shotguns, the pavement, the woods, climbing trees, airplanes, volleyball or a potted prickly cactus, which only through supernatural means made it from Arizona to Forks without sticking her in the eye).
And thus, Bella is off to La Push again, with plenty of blessings from Charlie, who would certainly love to invent a new brand of force field that blocks Edward out but allows Jacob Black through. Still, with this, I am having an even harder time understanding Edward — and I can more clearly see one of the major concerns voiced by critics of Bella. I know that if Bella was my girlfriend, and some fellow like Jacob came bounding along who was pushing to be her best friend, and constantly trying to steal her away, I don’t think I would be happy at all for her to be spending so much time with this half-dressed chap who is about 1/10th my age.
It irks me that Bella would continue to see Jacob, knowing how it makes Edward feel. Is this something that Edward should just accept? Is it respectful to their relationship for Bella to be hanging around so closely with other guys (especially guys like Jacob who would obviously jump at the chance to steal her away)?
As most of my readers are girls, I will flip this around — imagine your boyfriend hanging out with some other girl who happens to be a model and is dying to steal him away, and he goes crying to her anytime you get into a fight, and she welcomes him with open arms, saying what a beastly brute you are for hurting his feelings. It would probably come to an ultimatum: one or the other.
As I thought about this, however, I was reminded of what I was reading, and also that Edward can read minds; an ability real guys do not possess (much to the chagrin* of many). So, these problems can’t even be the same as if Bella and Edward and Jacob were humans. The difference is that since Edward can read Jacob’s mind, he knows what is going on, and maybe also that Jacob is well-intentioned. And, even though he can’t read Bella’s, perhaps he has come to trust her enough so that it’s almost as if he really can: he trusts Bella enough to know that she is keeping it friendly with Jacob.
But then again, I’m sure Jacob has plenty of tricks up his sleeve. He doesn’t quite seem ready to give up yet 😀
Question for the comments: do you think it is alright for Bella to lead both Edward and Jacob on? Do you think she even knows what she is doing?
——NOTES——
– For those of you who enjoy my music, I just uploaded a brand new song and would love opinions. Also, the new song can be downloaded for free for the next two weeks (and no sneaky things to sign up for either :D)
Share:
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn
134 Responses
Yeah, first post!
Well, I have to say, I agree with you on some of these things. I was almost as surprised as Bella when Edward said he would let her go to La Push, knowing full well what Jake was thinking.
Personally, I would have done everything in my power to NOT let her go to him like that. Maybe that makes me a bad person, but I dont actually care. I mean, she does have other friends, and as far as I (and Bella) know, none of them have strong feelings for her (besides ever faithful Jake).
So, Im sad to say, I would have done the opposite of Edward in that case.
“And thus a new career was born.”
I find that really funny. “The thought is so depressing, I just might break into song.”
-rolls on the floor, laughing at his expense-
Firstly, you are hilarious. That album cover is just wonderful.
Secondly, It would probably be healthier for everyone involved if Bella just made a choice. But she doesn’t. Edward could just ask her outright to stay away from Jacob, but he doesn’t. I think that part of him wishes that Jacob could win her over because Edward still thinks that she’d be better off without him. So, he is trying to be okay with their spending so much time together. Thirdly, Bella kind of needs Jacob in her life at this point; he helped her through the darkest time of her life and there really is no way to reverse that kind of a bond. Jacob, i think, is pretty faultless in all this. What would you do if the girl you loved wanted to spend eternity with your sworn enemy, but still seemed desperate to keep you in her life? That sounds like encouragement to me. I don’t think I’d do anything different if I were Jacob.
Fourthly, I’m sorry to be listing things like bullets points. I’m kind of annoying myself a little. Also, it’s funny trying to respond to your post without spoiling the rest of the story for you.
“Edward and Jacob are working together in a somewhat manner”
A somewhat manner? I’m not very good at English but is a word missing?…
Haha, I loved your post on this chapter! But no question for the comments, I see.
The list of things that Bella will hurt her self with is hilarious!
Bella is incredibly annoying in her actions, she ignores the obviousness of the consequences her decisions have, yet she still continues leading Jacob on and being hypocritcial to Edward who I was glad had become less controlling. Bella’s flaw is her.. naivety when it comes to Jacob and Edward. She wants to live in a world where she can have both Edward and Jacob but she can’t, and by keeping both in her life at the same time she’s just inflicting more pain on everyone.
Very funny album cover by the way! 🙂
I really love this post. The feelings and thoughts from Bella/Edward/Jacob are well presented. And I just can agree. The problem is that the friendship between Jacob and Bella started because Edward left. Thus Edward is blaming himself and is trying to be the understanding boyfriend. Nevertheless in Edwards position I would tell Bella how he is feeling and that she is hurting his feelings.
In Eclipse are many parts I would love to see from Edwards POV. I suppose he is more hurt/jealous as we can even imagine.
I really like Bella but I think she doesn’t realize how much pain she is inflicting. Edwards fault is for not telling her and accepting it.
I think that Bella should have kept Jacob at distance from the very beginning given that He was clearly falling for her; but now that Jacob still want her close it would really be terrible if she just turned her back on him… kinda like “Well, now Edward’s back, I’m out of my zombie-like state so we can go our separate ways!”
I think that Edward’s love for Bella is really different in a way that.. his love for Bella is more of to keep her happy. And as long as he could stay with her, he would. No matter what.
But for Bella to hang out with Jacob and is so pleased to have hung out with him.. is really.. weird. Hah! Especially when she knows that Jacob is trying to win her heart. I guess she just believes that she wouldn’t fall in love with him and that she knew that she couldn’t live without Edward.
Kaleb…..you are hilarious
Bella actually can be trusted somewhat with her own safety (as long as this doesn’t involve cars, motorcycles, cliffs, water, tennis, needles, knives, mace spray, axes, shotguns, the pavement, the woods, climbing trees, airplanes, volleyball or a potted prickly cactus, which only through supernatural means made it from Arizona to Forks without sticking her in the eye)
so true so true
i dont know i guess Edward would do anything he could to saty with Bella…..because its pretty obvious he’ll do anything for her not to leave him
Wow, Kaleb.
You really opened my eyes here.
At first, I just thought that Edward is just being an annoying, super-obsessive boyfriend who wouldn’t allow his girlfriend to do the things that would make her happy.
But now that you flipped it over for us, girls, to see, now then do I get your point.
It is kind of selfish for Bella to not consider Edward’s feelings at first, and that also most importantly, Edward is always 24/7 worrying about her safety, what more is that she is hanging out with werewolves and that he has to worry about her during his hunting trips.
However, I am really glad that Edward finally gave in. I’m sure that it was difficult for him to agree. But, Edward, being in love with Bella so much, would rather want her to be happy even if it means for her spending time with his ‘sworn enemies’. It is is because he knows that Bella seeing Jacob would make her happy and also that if it wasn’t for Jacob, Bella would be a huge mess in New Moon.
I think they’re all pretty stuck right now. Bella’s too nice to let go of either, Edward’s too nice to intervene and Jacob’s too nasty to leave them alone.
Also, you probably won’t believe me. but although there isn’t a song called ‘All my friends are dead,’ there is one by Felt called ‘All the People I Like Are Those That Are Dead.’
I’ve got it stuck in my head now.
Haha… oh, Kaleb, it is scary how sometimes these little chapter analyses are a glimpse into my life.
I married the man of my dreams this year; he truly is the equivalent of an Edward in my life. But if you reverse our genders, he’d be my Bella, and that’s terribly appropriate, because one of his best friends is also his ex.
April is definitely a Jacob. She encourages Chris to forget about his crazy wife one minute, then says, “Hey, as long as you’re happy” the next, not wanting to make Chris miserable by second-guessing his relationship too much. She and I have a tentative tolerance of each other… we dance over beds of nails and broken glass, trying to avoid cutting ourselves too badly.
I have to admit, there are times I’m NOT very Edward-like, when I flat out say, “I am NOT comfortable with this and I wish it would stop.”
But I haven’t said, “Stop being friends with her. That’s enough, don’t talk to her anymore, it’s done.” because I know it would hurt Chris. While _I_ may not always approve of her, I know he has a lot of history with her and it would hurt him to lose her friendship.
So I’m left in a position where I grudgingly accept the friendship and have to trust that Chris will take Bella’s stance, and stay with the love of his existence rather than chase after an alternative.
I can see quite clearly why Edward struggles so much with the whole thing. He’s very uncomfortable, but doesn’t want to hurt his relationship with Bella by setting down an ultimatum. Because that IS what would happen: if he said “You must have tea and cake with the vicar or you DIE!” then it would end up damaging what Bella and Edward have between them. All ultimatums take their toll, one way or another.
So, yeah, it’s all about trust. Edward trusting Bella to do the right thing. Bella trusting herself to not hurt Edward. And Jacob trusting that he’s trying to look out for what’s best for Bella (in his mind).
Yay, triangle of doooom…
if my boyfriend pulled a bella i would completely rip tht super models hair out..we’ll c how she likes that 😛
LOL
break out into song?!
ROFL
Edward is not human, and his love for Bella is not normal. He really, really wants whatever is best for her no matter how hideously miserable it makes him feel. See New Moon.
Part of keeping Bella happy is for her to not know how much pain he’s in, because then she’d do what he needs and not what she wants.
So, she doesn’t know how it makes him feel, because he doesn’t let on.
She isn’t leading anyone on, because her feelings for Edward are very genuine, and she has been honest with Jacob that she loves him like a brother.
I think Bella does lead Jacob on a bit, but I don’t think she’s fully aware of what she’s doing. I don’t think she realizes the depth of Jacob’s feelings. Also, I think she’s hoping that because she has said “just friends” that he’s going to honor that and turn off the other feelings – which is what she’s hoping for so she doesn’t lose her best friend. Which of course is a foolish thing to hope, but also the kind of thing one only learns from experience. Turns out being honest in a relationship isn’t always enough if you and the other person are fooling yourselves about the consequences of what you’re being honest with each other about.
As for what Edward “lets” her do, if I had been in the state she was in New Moon and the main thing that started bringing me back from the land of the un-living was my best friend and then boyfriend who nearly killed me when he dumped me came back and told me he resented how close me and best friend were and didn’t want me to see him anymore, I’d kick ’em where the sun don’t shine. That would be the proof that he is not the boyfriend to have and wasn’t worth the grief I wasted on him.
Of course Edward is not that boyfriend and has figured out the best way to keep Bella happy is to trust in their bond and trust her and let her figure it out for herself while not making himself the enemy. He’s a lot smarter than your average boyfriend.
And these questions, my friend, are what Eclipse is alllll about. =]
Bella needs Jacob. He became a part of her when Edward left her. Edward knows this, so this is why he allows it to go on. Besides, Edward has a low self-esteem, and figures that Bella shouldn’t be with himself and should be with someone human (or somewhat human) like Jacob anyway. And, like you pointed out, Edward can read minds, and so he knows that Jake will protect her the best that he can.
lol! Great post once again! What is it with you and musical refrences these days? Charlie and the Bloods, All My Friends are Dead, etc. Whats it going to be next,”My Bestfriend’s Boyfriend” lol, that title sounds way to familiar though, so never mind. If I was in Edward’s position, you better believe I would be jealous, so no problems there, but being as Edward is Mr.Never-Hurt-Bella-No-Matter-What, he makes some stupid decisions that are gonna bite him in the butt.
On to the Comment Question: I don’t see a problem with her hanging out with both guys, but it really is unfair of her to treat both of them like her “boy toys” in a way. Bella doesn’t see it that way, and seems to need Jacob as much as he seems to want her around, and she loves Edward with most of her heart. It really isn’t completely her fault, as you will find out later, but a ton of it is.
It all comes down to trust in a relationship. In real life (where there are no vampires and werewolves), early on in the relationship, Bella shouldn’t be running off to Jacob to tell him all about Edward when she knows how Jacob feels about her. And throughout the books, the length of Bella and Edward’s relationship is very short. Once the relationship has gone on longer, and there is a sense of commitment, then it should be alright for Bella to tell a friend who has feelings for her about Edward, because there is commitment in her and Edward’s relationship, and he should trust her, just as she should trust him. I’m not advocating for Bella to abandon Jacob in the early part of her relationship, but she doesn’t need to tell him everything.
However, in this world where vampires and werewolves do exist, there was commitment way early in the relationship. And with this commitment, there needs to be trust. Edward has to trust Bella not to do anything with Jacob. Also, because of his mind reading, he can find out whatever happens between Bella and Jacob, because that’s what Jacob is always thinking about. On the other hand, should Bella need to find out what Edward is doing while she’s not there, Alice is pretty much going to tell her.
I think Bella gets a lot of unfair blame when it comes to her “leading on” the boys. She really only leads on Jacob, and only a little bit. She tells Jacob exactly how she feels. He knows, and he should respect that. It’s his own fault that he keeps trying with her. Later in the book, she does something that is entirely stupid and entirely her fault, but it’s under a pressurized situation. Also, as evidenced by the first book, Bella has low self esteem, and often doesn’t realize the effect of what she’s doing on Jacob. And she never leads on Edward, as he’s the one she’s chosen.
I think Angela hit at least one nail totally on the head here. (Not that her whole post wasn’t right, but she brought up something most people don’t think about) For a guy who can do just about everything better than anybody else, Edward is pretty down on himself. His opinion of himself is partly why he gives in and tells Bella he is ok with her going to La Push to see Jake. The other part is his near worshipful love of Bella. He still sees himself as a monster who doesn’t deserve her, and if she did decide to walk away, he would let her. He’d fall apart, but he would let her do it. No matter how many times Bella tries to explain her love for him, he can’t read her mind and see it. He doesn’t understand it. And, for the most part, he wants to give her everything she wants. Plus, he realizes that fighting over Bella with Jake will only make him look bad. He’s not an idiot.
In regards to Bella leading on Jake: Yes, she is doing it, and she does know it, but she can’t help herself. Jake kept Bella alive and breathing in New Moon when Edward left. Or, more truthfully, he brought her back to life when she was basically a zombie swallowed up in grief. She can’t stay away from him anymore than she can stay away from Edward. Added to that is her need to mother (remember how she takes care of Charlie and Renee?) and you have a real situation. She is as protective of Jake and his feelings as she would be a Charlie’s or Renee’s.
No.
In New Moon, Bella began to annoy me. In Eclipse, she managed to make me hate her.
Pulling two awesome (and fairly respectable) guys along is not okay.
Bella, Edward, and Jacob form such a complicated love triangle, because they both love Bella and she loves both of them. Meaning that no matter what, two of them will be hurt when she finally makes her choice. Bella is insistent that she and Jake are “just friends” so I don’t think she realizes that she’s leading him on.
Jacob was there for her when she really needed someone, and what is he supposed to do now that Edward is back? Fall out of love with her? Jacob knows that Bella’s already chosen Edward, but he doesn’t want to lose her. And Bella doesn’t want to hurt Jacob–or herself–by telling him it’s over. I don’t know if they would have been better off or not, if she’d stopped seeing him. She was already in too deep with Jacob when Edward came back, so there’s really no good way to end this.
I suppose I can relate to Jacob because my best friend is a guy who has a girlfriend.
Haha, I didn’t even think about how Bella survived the cactus, it must be a miracle!
I love the points you made in this post. Bella always greatly annoys me in Eclipse. Edward does too because, as you see now, he gets too lax. And Jacob has always annoyed me. Bella slowly starts to realize she’s being extremely harmful to Edward and Jacob. And Jacob’s thoughts are full of good intentions on protecting her, but they are not full of good intentions to let her lead a happy vampire life with Edward. He does want to steal her away and he does have quite a few tricks up his sleeve.
Bella is extremely in the wrong in this book. She should not be leading both of them on like that. If the roles were reversed and Edward kept going to Tanya to hang out and cry on her shoulder, so to speak, Bella would be extremely upset. The fact that she keeps getting mad at Edward for not being more supportive with Jacob is ridiculous and hypocritical. And she keeps giving Jacob hope that she might someday fall for him, and if she doesn’t run off into the sunset with him, then he is going to be completely broken and will be even more broken if she becomes a Cullen. Bella doesn’t realize she’s doing it, but she will.
Eclipse has always been a hard book for me to read. I always feel the need to yell at the books “do you have any idea what you are doing?”…I know, I probably sound crazy, but I get emotionally attatched to practically all the books I read. Bella should make a decision, but she doesn’t. I think she knows what she is doing and knows what the right thing to do is, but is not strong enough for that. I don’t get mad at her, because although she is involved with this supernatural world, she is human. And more importantly, a teenager. She makes mistakes. I think it makes her more relatable.
I always feel so bad for Edward in Eclipse. He tries to be understanding of Bella’s need for Jacob’s friendship, but when he can’t handle it (and most people couldn’t) and asks her not to go to La Push, he is seen as a tyrant. Poor Edward.
Keep reading!
YAY chapter 10! Love love love the album cover! The fact that they can work together but not be in the same room together is a little childish but as i read on i kind of understtod why, Edward especially doesn’t want to hurt bella so he won’t even allow himself in the same room as Jake just in case something happens, and that is extremely mature.
anyway on with the actual question, Bella is not being a very good person although she has stated numberous times to jake that she only wants to be his friend i think that she is to blame for leading him on by allowing the holding of hands and such. As for right now in the book i don’t think that she has really realized what she is doing…but she will!
This is just for your information please do not add to the comments.
You missed the point about the odors on Bella. Bella herself does not smell bad especially to Edward, or Jacob.
Vampires and werewolves smell bad to each other. So when Bella is around Jacob she acquires his scent and Edward thinks she stinks and vice versa. They also purposely try to leave their scent on her (breathing in her hair, long hugs, etc., marking their territory?) when they know she will be seeing the other one just as an irritation and reminder.
I don’t believe that Bella is leading Jacob on at All! They started out as friends and are still friends. Jacobs feelings have grown for Bella. Does that mean that Bella should stop being his friend? What kind of friend would that make her than?
Edward is okay with Bella being Jacobs friend because he knows to Bella that they are just friends no matter what stronger feelings Jacob may have.Edward knows that Jacob and Bella spending time together keeps her safe as when he is away.
Jacob and Edwards number one concern above anything else is helping each other keep Bella safe.
Your missing the point of Edward and Jacob being cordial to one another and that is keeping Bella alive.
Her heart and soul belong to Edward that decision was made long ago. Jacob is a friend that she cares for just like you and your friends.
She doesn’t know what she’s doing. She just wants to be with them both so much, she is just considering her own feelings, as she often does, and doesn’t think about what Edward thinks about every time he lets her see Jacob, or what Jacob is feeling every time he has to hand Bella back. All she wants is to be able to love them as much as she can, but she doesn’t want to think about how she could manage them both, because she knows there is a decision on which one she loves more in the future, and she doesn’t want to think about that. As much as I think that Edward is totally right for trying to keep her on a short leash, people misjudge Jacob’s feelings a lot. Jacob is in almost an exact situation as Edward. He is sending the girl he loves off to his enemy, and as Edward sees Jake as only a tempermental teenage wolf, Jacob sees is as sending her to a immortal vampire who may or may not kill her at any given time. Bella only wants to satisfy her own feelings and her own needs, instead of those of the men she loves.
Great post, Kaleb! Really great!
Now on to your question…
I don’t think Bella is leading both of them on. She’s with Edward 100%… Of course, she doesn’t see things the way Jake does. Jacob isn’t seeing her interest in him as just friendship, he sees it as an opportunity to be with her. Really, the only time she ever led him on was in Twilight at the beach and in New Moon as first. But after those times, she really cared about him and genuinely wants to be around him.
What she’s doing isn’t wrong. But the way Jake takes it is wrong. Bella isn’t guilty of anything……….yet.
Of course it was wrong for Bella to keep Jacob in such close proximity and leading him on like that. But then again, Bella is still human. And humans get so confused sometimes. You want something, you don’t want it, but you want it and you don’t want it. That’s just the way it works. Obviously, being with Jacob was just so much easier, comfortable, harmless (somewhat), so Bella felt secure around him. That was the pull, that was what made her stick around. The “love” she feels for him is different from the love for Edward. Still love nonetheless…
I am SO going to buy Edward’s CD! lol 😀
As we’ve seen in New Moon, Bella can barely live without Edward, but she CAN (no matter how hard it is) live without Jacob. I don’t think she knows she’s leading Jacob on, I think she doesn’t realize just HOW strong his feelings are.
I can sympathize with Bella as I am currently in love with two guys. I am in the same situation boyfriend or best friend. HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLPPPPP
I dont want to hurt either of them.
It most definitely is not okay for Bella to be leading them both on. That was the biggest problem I had with Eclipse… there were a few times I wanted to yell at Bella. Can’t she see how much she loves Edward, and how much she hurts him by running off to Jacob?
i think that edward can tell that jacob means much more to bella than a regular friend (ahem, unlike, say, MIKE). he can tell that by keeping jake out of her life, he’s hurting her. and seeing that edward loves bella, he’ll just have to put up with that aspect of their relationship. you’ll see how gererous edward can be come chapter…24? i think that’s the one.
-mk8)
I don’t think she knows what’s going on, and even if she realized it, i think that there’s nothing she can do about it.d
kassia, love your comment! i agree with you 100%. that’s the best explaination of jacob’s persona i’ve ever heard! (read, whatever)
-mk
AHAAHHA! You are entirely dead on! How DID she not end up sticking herself with that potted cactus???? It’s impossible.
And you have gotten to why I hate Bella; she has something wonderful (Edward), but still goes after Jacob. Isn’t that a deadly sin? And I think that’s in the ten commandments, too. And he blatently told her that is how he felt, therefore she IS leading him on.
he he… loved the new album cover
as for the question, i don’t think Bella really means to hurt Edward, it’s just that she just can’t turn her back on Jake and leave him in the dust. He really helped her out when she had that rough patch in New Moon, and she can’t just forget about it. That Jake’s in love with her complicates things, and I don’t think she really sees how much Jake’s presence really bugs Edward. Your comment about the supermodel made a lot of sense, and I’m sad to say that I probably would have made an ultimatum. It’s not right for Bella to be leading both guys on, and i was a little frustrated with her almost this entire book with the Jake-then-Edward-then-Jake-then-Edward-again thing. By this time I was a little like “c’mon, just pick one already!” A little irritating…
anyways great post! i’ll check in next week!
ah, the question that gets to the heart of the book: Edward or Jacob?
well, obviously I’m not going to tell you who she chooses (although you probably have been spoiled anyway), but here’s my answer:
It is not alright for her to be leading them on, although since she did agree to marry Edward, he’s not really being led on. But anyways, Jake knows he’s fighting a losing battle, and he knows Bella loves Edward, but he’s not going to give up. Bella really doesn’t see it as leading him on because she just wants to be friends. She’s not conciously doing it, it just sort of happened.
I’m really surprised that you haven’t quite figured out the vampire in Bella’s room mystery 🙂
Okay for those of you who don’t understand where Edward is coming from read the partial midnight sun thing. I seriosly understand the reason Edward acts the way he does now.
Anyhoo. Agreeing with KT i wanted to yell at Bella as well. She was making me pretty darn mad. I wanted her to get the hell away from Jacob but no….. She has to go and *censor*
Bella drove me crazy in this book. I have the same issues as you. She is leading Jacob on, and it only gets worse!! I do like how Stephenie explains it in Breaking Dawn though. It made me feel a ton better about it.
my bf is friends with another ‘model’ girl that would take him in less than a second from me and its sooo frustrating because i cant do anything about it but in the end you have to do exactly wat edward does, you have to trust that the person you love will make the right choices 🙂
but…in terms of twilight…these are the chapters that tore the fandom into Team Edward and Team Jacob and made everyone Team-Anti Bella and wanting to slap her going “pick Edward! pick Jacob!” LOL…great times 😛
I think you must have forgotten that Edward loves Bella enough to do whats best for her, even if it destroys him. He doesn’t like Jake, but thinks that Bella could stay human if she chooses Jake and that would be better for her. He’s wrong, but that isn’t the point. Edward loves Bella, but still thinks he is a lost soul and doesn’t ever want that for his true love.
I Don’t Think it’s Right For Her at All.
She Should Realize That Being With Jacob Hurts Edward & Leading Them Both On Isn’t Fair to Either of Them.
I Think Bella is Just Trying to Create This Perfect Little World Where SHE is Always Going to Be Happy Because She Has Both Edward & Jacob But She’s Not Realizing How it’s Affecting Them.
I think edward half way wants her to choose jake because in his self loathing he relizes that he isn’t the best thing for Bella and she just might be better off with Jake even though it would kill him to have her choose, and the fact that he hates the man guts some part of him wants Bella to choose him.
Bella is definitely leading on Jacob. Is it his fault that she fell apart in New Moon and then spent so much time with him? No, but he deserves someone who can commit to him. Bella knows that she will never choose Jacob over Edward, so she’s just teasing him. Breaking it off with Jacob would be awful and terrible and painful, yes, but it SHOULD BE DONE, before the damage gets worse. Bella has full knowledge of what she’s doing, but can’t bring herself to do anything to correct it. She just whines about how much pain she’s in.
Kaleb, you rock. Just to letcha know.
I don’t think Bella is being very responsible with Jacob. In New Moon, she referred to herself in two different parts, both very different: Edward’s Bella, and Jacob’s Bella. It will be mentioned again later, but as it has been referred to before, I don’t feel very guilty. But Jacob’s Bella is much less responsible, and so sometimes she lets that part take over herself. She so rarely gets to let that side of herself out, and she needs to let that part of herself go and just act bOnKeRs every once in awhile, and Jacob is just the person to let herself go with. She feels too comfortable with him for hers or Edward’s or Jacob’s good, which is a GIMUNGO problem with Edward. She also hasn’t told Jacob clearly enough that SHE IS NOT A BIGAMIST. She can’t live with Edward, and this whole BFF’s-for-never-or-forever-well-maybe-never-no-I-think-it-should-be-forever-DUMP-YOUR-BOYFRIEND-PLEASE-HE-IS-VERY-STINKY-AND-NASTY-and-we’re-still-BFF’s-right? can’t go on for very much longer. But Bella is trying to hold on to Jacob and that part of herself that is so reckless with him, so any compromise, however temporary, is fine with her so long as no person is hurt too severely. Jacob is just trying to save Bella’s humanity, so I see no fault with him. Edward is just trying to get over his problems, and become more mature than his 110 years.
Hope this review doesn’t look like Russian or Greek or Ancient Egyptian.
Well, I think Bella is quite ignorant of Jacob’s feeling and intentions most of the time. I think that if she knew exactly his thoughts and feelings and intentions and continued to spend so much time alone with him it would be wrong but I really think that she has no clue.
Wow, i actually never thought about it that way. I always thought that it was Edward who was wrong to keep Bella away from Jacob. It didn’t occur to me that Bella may be wrong to keep up her friendship with Jacob when it was actually a one-sided love relationship.
but i really don’t think bella knew she was leading jacob on. She knew Jacob liked her, but she tried hard to make it clear that she didn’t like him that way. but she didn’t want to hurt him, so perhaps she didn’t make it clear enough. I think that bella was just being bella. She was determined to somehow work around the problem, and not have to choose either jacob or edward. The same way she was determined to somehow manage a relationship with a vampire who was constantly fighting the urge to kill her. You’ll just have to keep reading, kaleb, and see if bellas plans work out. 🙂
And also, i would NOT be happy if my boyfriend was best friends with a super-model who loved him.
TO HELL WITH YOU, EVIL MODEL GIRL, TO HELL!!!
heehee 😀
u have got to make it clear what team you’re on! by the way you talk it sounds like Edward, but then u say jacob has the best intentions? does this mean switzerland for you? or you like them both but edward is right for bella? or you like them both but she needs to choose jacob? or jacob is a rotten stupid mutt/twit (ok so im not that good with the name calling) and Edward needs to keep bella away from him? <- 😀 haha. or God forbid Bella leave Edward because he’s a smelly leach? ( 🙁 i dont mean it! im trying to think how jacob lover would!)
134 Responses
Yeah, first post!
Well, I have to say, I agree with you on some of these things. I was almost as surprised as Bella when Edward said he would let her go to La Push, knowing full well what Jake was thinking.
Personally, I would have done everything in my power to NOT let her go to him like that. Maybe that makes me a bad person, but I dont actually care. I mean, she does have other friends, and as far as I (and Bella) know, none of them have strong feelings for her (besides ever faithful Jake).
So, Im sad to say, I would have done the opposite of Edward in that case.
“And thus a new career was born.”
I find that really funny. “The thought is so depressing, I just might break into song.”
-rolls on the floor, laughing at his expense-
Firstly, you are hilarious. That album cover is just wonderful.
Secondly, It would probably be healthier for everyone involved if Bella just made a choice. But she doesn’t. Edward could just ask her outright to stay away from Jacob, but he doesn’t. I think that part of him wishes that Jacob could win her over because Edward still thinks that she’d be better off without him. So, he is trying to be okay with their spending so much time together. Thirdly, Bella kind of needs Jacob in her life at this point; he helped her through the darkest time of her life and there really is no way to reverse that kind of a bond. Jacob, i think, is pretty faultless in all this. What would you do if the girl you loved wanted to spend eternity with your sworn enemy, but still seemed desperate to keep you in her life? That sounds like encouragement to me. I don’t think I’d do anything different if I were Jacob.
Fourthly, I’m sorry to be listing things like bullets points. I’m kind of annoying myself a little. Also, it’s funny trying to respond to your post without spoiling the rest of the story for you.
“Edward and Jacob are working together in a somewhat manner”
A somewhat manner? I’m not very good at English but is a word missing?…
Haha, I loved your post on this chapter! But no question for the comments, I see.
The list of things that Bella will hurt her self with is hilarious!
Bella is incredibly annoying in her actions, she ignores the obviousness of the consequences her decisions have, yet she still continues leading Jacob on and being hypocritcial to Edward who I was glad had become less controlling. Bella’s flaw is her.. naivety when it comes to Jacob and Edward. She wants to live in a world where she can have both Edward and Jacob but she can’t, and by keeping both in her life at the same time she’s just inflicting more pain on everyone.
Very funny album cover by the way! 🙂
I really love this post. The feelings and thoughts from Bella/Edward/Jacob are well presented. And I just can agree. The problem is that the friendship between Jacob and Bella started because Edward left. Thus Edward is blaming himself and is trying to be the understanding boyfriend. Nevertheless in Edwards position I would tell Bella how he is feeling and that she is hurting his feelings.
In Eclipse are many parts I would love to see from Edwards POV. I suppose he is more hurt/jealous as we can even imagine.
I really like Bella but I think she doesn’t realize how much pain she is inflicting. Edwards fault is for not telling her and accepting it.
I think that Bella should have kept Jacob at distance from the very beginning given that He was clearly falling for her; but now that Jacob still want her close it would really be terrible if she just turned her back on him… kinda like “Well, now Edward’s back, I’m out of my zombie-like state so we can go our separate ways!”
I think that Edward’s love for Bella is really different in a way that.. his love for Bella is more of to keep her happy. And as long as he could stay with her, he would. No matter what.
But for Bella to hang out with Jacob and is so pleased to have hung out with him.. is really.. weird. Hah! Especially when she knows that Jacob is trying to win her heart. I guess she just believes that she wouldn’t fall in love with him and that she knew that she couldn’t live without Edward.
Kaleb…..you are hilarious
Bella actually can be trusted somewhat with her own safety (as long as this doesn’t involve cars, motorcycles, cliffs, water, tennis, needles, knives, mace spray, axes, shotguns, the pavement, the woods, climbing trees, airplanes, volleyball or a potted prickly cactus, which only through supernatural means made it from Arizona to Forks without sticking her in the eye)
so true so true
i dont know i guess Edward would do anything he could to saty with Bella…..because its pretty obvious he’ll do anything for her not to leave him
Wow, Kaleb.
You really opened my eyes here.
At first, I just thought that Edward is just being an annoying, super-obsessive boyfriend who wouldn’t allow his girlfriend to do the things that would make her happy.
But now that you flipped it over for us, girls, to see, now then do I get your point.
It is kind of selfish for Bella to not consider Edward’s feelings at first, and that also most importantly, Edward is always 24/7 worrying about her safety, what more is that she is hanging out with werewolves and that he has to worry about her during his hunting trips.
However, I am really glad that Edward finally gave in. I’m sure that it was difficult for him to agree. But, Edward, being in love with Bella so much, would rather want her to be happy even if it means for her spending time with his ‘sworn enemies’. It is is because he knows that Bella seeing Jacob would make her happy and also that if it wasn’t for Jacob, Bella would be a huge mess in New Moon.
I think they’re all pretty stuck right now. Bella’s too nice to let go of either, Edward’s too nice to intervene and Jacob’s too nasty to leave them alone.
Also, you probably won’t believe me. but although there isn’t a song called ‘All my friends are dead,’ there is one by Felt called ‘All the People I Like Are Those That Are Dead.’
I’ve got it stuck in my head now.
Haha… oh, Kaleb, it is scary how sometimes these little chapter analyses are a glimpse into my life.
I married the man of my dreams this year; he truly is the equivalent of an Edward in my life. But if you reverse our genders, he’d be my Bella, and that’s terribly appropriate, because one of his best friends is also his ex.
April is definitely a Jacob. She encourages Chris to forget about his crazy wife one minute, then says, “Hey, as long as you’re happy” the next, not wanting to make Chris miserable by second-guessing his relationship too much. She and I have a tentative tolerance of each other… we dance over beds of nails and broken glass, trying to avoid cutting ourselves too badly.
I have to admit, there are times I’m NOT very Edward-like, when I flat out say, “I am NOT comfortable with this and I wish it would stop.”
But I haven’t said, “Stop being friends with her. That’s enough, don’t talk to her anymore, it’s done.” because I know it would hurt Chris. While _I_ may not always approve of her, I know he has a lot of history with her and it would hurt him to lose her friendship.
So I’m left in a position where I grudgingly accept the friendship and have to trust that Chris will take Bella’s stance, and stay with the love of his existence rather than chase after an alternative.
I can see quite clearly why Edward struggles so much with the whole thing. He’s very uncomfortable, but doesn’t want to hurt his relationship with Bella by setting down an ultimatum. Because that IS what would happen: if he said “You must have tea and cake with the vicar or you DIE!” then it would end up damaging what Bella and Edward have between them. All ultimatums take their toll, one way or another.
So, yeah, it’s all about trust. Edward trusting Bella to do the right thing. Bella trusting herself to not hurt Edward. And Jacob trusting that he’s trying to look out for what’s best for Bella (in his mind).
Yay, triangle of doooom…
if my boyfriend pulled a bella i would completely rip tht super models hair out..we’ll c how she likes that 😛
LOL
break out into song?!
ROFL
Edward is not human, and his love for Bella is not normal. He really, really wants whatever is best for her no matter how hideously miserable it makes him feel. See New Moon.
Part of keeping Bella happy is for her to not know how much pain he’s in, because then she’d do what he needs and not what she wants.
So, she doesn’t know how it makes him feel, because he doesn’t let on.
She isn’t leading anyone on, because her feelings for Edward are very genuine, and she has been honest with Jacob that she loves him like a brother.
I think Bella does lead Jacob on a bit, but I don’t think she’s fully aware of what she’s doing. I don’t think she realizes the depth of Jacob’s feelings. Also, I think she’s hoping that because she has said “just friends” that he’s going to honor that and turn off the other feelings – which is what she’s hoping for so she doesn’t lose her best friend. Which of course is a foolish thing to hope, but also the kind of thing one only learns from experience. Turns out being honest in a relationship isn’t always enough if you and the other person are fooling yourselves about the consequences of what you’re being honest with each other about.
As for what Edward “lets” her do, if I had been in the state she was in New Moon and the main thing that started bringing me back from the land of the un-living was my best friend and then boyfriend who nearly killed me when he dumped me came back and told me he resented how close me and best friend were and didn’t want me to see him anymore, I’d kick ’em where the sun don’t shine. That would be the proof that he is not the boyfriend to have and wasn’t worth the grief I wasted on him.
Of course Edward is not that boyfriend and has figured out the best way to keep Bella happy is to trust in their bond and trust her and let her figure it out for herself while not making himself the enemy. He’s a lot smarter than your average boyfriend.
And these questions, my friend, are what Eclipse is alllll about. =]
Bella needs Jacob. He became a part of her when Edward left her. Edward knows this, so this is why he allows it to go on. Besides, Edward has a low self-esteem, and figures that Bella shouldn’t be with himself and should be with someone human (or somewhat human) like Jacob anyway. And, like you pointed out, Edward can read minds, and so he knows that Jake will protect her the best that he can.
lol! Great post once again! What is it with you and musical refrences these days? Charlie and the Bloods, All My Friends are Dead, etc. Whats it going to be next,”My Bestfriend’s Boyfriend” lol, that title sounds way to familiar though, so never mind. If I was in Edward’s position, you better believe I would be jealous, so no problems there, but being as Edward is Mr.Never-Hurt-Bella-No-Matter-What, he makes some stupid decisions that are gonna bite him in the butt.
On to the Comment Question: I don’t see a problem with her hanging out with both guys, but it really is unfair of her to treat both of them like her “boy toys” in a way. Bella doesn’t see it that way, and seems to need Jacob as much as he seems to want her around, and she loves Edward with most of her heart. It really isn’t completely her fault, as you will find out later, but a ton of it is.
It all comes down to trust in a relationship. In real life (where there are no vampires and werewolves), early on in the relationship, Bella shouldn’t be running off to Jacob to tell him all about Edward when she knows how Jacob feels about her. And throughout the books, the length of Bella and Edward’s relationship is very short. Once the relationship has gone on longer, and there is a sense of commitment, then it should be alright for Bella to tell a friend who has feelings for her about Edward, because there is commitment in her and Edward’s relationship, and he should trust her, just as she should trust him. I’m not advocating for Bella to abandon Jacob in the early part of her relationship, but she doesn’t need to tell him everything.
However, in this world where vampires and werewolves do exist, there was commitment way early in the relationship. And with this commitment, there needs to be trust. Edward has to trust Bella not to do anything with Jacob. Also, because of his mind reading, he can find out whatever happens between Bella and Jacob, because that’s what Jacob is always thinking about. On the other hand, should Bella need to find out what Edward is doing while she’s not there, Alice is pretty much going to tell her.
I think Bella gets a lot of unfair blame when it comes to her “leading on” the boys. She really only leads on Jacob, and only a little bit. She tells Jacob exactly how she feels. He knows, and he should respect that. It’s his own fault that he keeps trying with her. Later in the book, she does something that is entirely stupid and entirely her fault, but it’s under a pressurized situation. Also, as evidenced by the first book, Bella has low self esteem, and often doesn’t realize the effect of what she’s doing on Jacob. And she never leads on Edward, as he’s the one she’s chosen.
I think Angela hit at least one nail totally on the head here. (Not that her whole post wasn’t right, but she brought up something most people don’t think about) For a guy who can do just about everything better than anybody else, Edward is pretty down on himself. His opinion of himself is partly why he gives in and tells Bella he is ok with her going to La Push to see Jake. The other part is his near worshipful love of Bella. He still sees himself as a monster who doesn’t deserve her, and if she did decide to walk away, he would let her. He’d fall apart, but he would let her do it. No matter how many times Bella tries to explain her love for him, he can’t read her mind and see it. He doesn’t understand it. And, for the most part, he wants to give her everything she wants. Plus, he realizes that fighting over Bella with Jake will only make him look bad. He’s not an idiot.
In regards to Bella leading on Jake: Yes, she is doing it, and she does know it, but she can’t help herself. Jake kept Bella alive and breathing in New Moon when Edward left. Or, more truthfully, he brought her back to life when she was basically a zombie swallowed up in grief. She can’t stay away from him anymore than she can stay away from Edward. Added to that is her need to mother (remember how she takes care of Charlie and Renee?) and you have a real situation. She is as protective of Jake and his feelings as she would be a Charlie’s or Renee’s.
No.
In New Moon, Bella began to annoy me. In Eclipse, she managed to make me hate her.
Pulling two awesome (and fairly respectable) guys along is not okay.
Bella, Edward, and Jacob form such a complicated love triangle, because they both love Bella and she loves both of them. Meaning that no matter what, two of them will be hurt when she finally makes her choice. Bella is insistent that she and Jake are “just friends” so I don’t think she realizes that she’s leading him on.
Jacob was there for her when she really needed someone, and what is he supposed to do now that Edward is back? Fall out of love with her? Jacob knows that Bella’s already chosen Edward, but he doesn’t want to lose her. And Bella doesn’t want to hurt Jacob–or herself–by telling him it’s over. I don’t know if they would have been better off or not, if she’d stopped seeing him. She was already in too deep with Jacob when Edward came back, so there’s really no good way to end this.
I suppose I can relate to Jacob because my best friend is a guy who has a girlfriend.
Haha, I didn’t even think about how Bella survived the cactus, it must be a miracle!
I love the points you made in this post. Bella always greatly annoys me in Eclipse. Edward does too because, as you see now, he gets too lax. And Jacob has always annoyed me. Bella slowly starts to realize she’s being extremely harmful to Edward and Jacob. And Jacob’s thoughts are full of good intentions on protecting her, but they are not full of good intentions to let her lead a happy vampire life with Edward. He does want to steal her away and he does have quite a few tricks up his sleeve.
Bella is extremely in the wrong in this book. She should not be leading both of them on like that. If the roles were reversed and Edward kept going to Tanya to hang out and cry on her shoulder, so to speak, Bella would be extremely upset. The fact that she keeps getting mad at Edward for not being more supportive with Jacob is ridiculous and hypocritical. And she keeps giving Jacob hope that she might someday fall for him, and if she doesn’t run off into the sunset with him, then he is going to be completely broken and will be even more broken if she becomes a Cullen. Bella doesn’t realize she’s doing it, but she will.
Eclipse has always been a hard book for me to read. I always feel the need to yell at the books “do you have any idea what you are doing?”…I know, I probably sound crazy, but I get emotionally attatched to practically all the books I read. Bella should make a decision, but she doesn’t. I think she knows what she is doing and knows what the right thing to do is, but is not strong enough for that. I don’t get mad at her, because although she is involved with this supernatural world, she is human. And more importantly, a teenager. She makes mistakes. I think it makes her more relatable.
I always feel so bad for Edward in Eclipse. He tries to be understanding of Bella’s need for Jacob’s friendship, but when he can’t handle it (and most people couldn’t) and asks her not to go to La Push, he is seen as a tyrant. Poor Edward.
Keep reading!
YAY chapter 10! Love love love the album cover! The fact that they can work together but not be in the same room together is a little childish but as i read on i kind of understtod why, Edward especially doesn’t want to hurt bella so he won’t even allow himself in the same room as Jake just in case something happens, and that is extremely mature.
anyway on with the actual question, Bella is not being a very good person although she has stated numberous times to jake that she only wants to be his friend i think that she is to blame for leading him on by allowing the holding of hands and such. As for right now in the book i don’t think that she has really realized what she is doing…but she will!
This is just for your information please do not add to the comments.
You missed the point about the odors on Bella. Bella herself does not smell bad especially to Edward, or Jacob.
Vampires and werewolves smell bad to each other. So when Bella is around Jacob she acquires his scent and Edward thinks she stinks and vice versa. They also purposely try to leave their scent on her (breathing in her hair, long hugs, etc., marking their territory?) when they know she will be seeing the other one just as an irritation and reminder.
I don’t believe that Bella is leading Jacob on at All! They started out as friends and are still friends. Jacobs feelings have grown for Bella. Does that mean that Bella should stop being his friend? What kind of friend would that make her than?
Edward is okay with Bella being Jacobs friend because he knows to Bella that they are just friends no matter what stronger feelings Jacob may have.Edward knows that Jacob and Bella spending time together keeps her safe as when he is away.
Jacob and Edwards number one concern above anything else is helping each other keep Bella safe.
Your missing the point of Edward and Jacob being cordial to one another and that is keeping Bella alive.
Her heart and soul belong to Edward that decision was made long ago. Jacob is a friend that she cares for just like you and your friends.
She doesn’t know what she’s doing. She just wants to be with them both so much, she is just considering her own feelings, as she often does, and doesn’t think about what Edward thinks about every time he lets her see Jacob, or what Jacob is feeling every time he has to hand Bella back. All she wants is to be able to love them as much as she can, but she doesn’t want to think about how she could manage them both, because she knows there is a decision on which one she loves more in the future, and she doesn’t want to think about that. As much as I think that Edward is totally right for trying to keep her on a short leash, people misjudge Jacob’s feelings a lot. Jacob is in almost an exact situation as Edward. He is sending the girl he loves off to his enemy, and as Edward sees Jake as only a tempermental teenage wolf, Jacob sees is as sending her to a immortal vampire who may or may not kill her at any given time. Bella only wants to satisfy her own feelings and her own needs, instead of those of the men she loves.
Great post, Kaleb! Really great!
Now on to your question…
I don’t think Bella is leading both of them on. She’s with Edward 100%… Of course, she doesn’t see things the way Jake does. Jacob isn’t seeing her interest in him as just friendship, he sees it as an opportunity to be with her. Really, the only time she ever led him on was in Twilight at the beach and in New Moon as first. But after those times, she really cared about him and genuinely wants to be around him.
What she’s doing isn’t wrong. But the way Jake takes it is wrong. Bella isn’t guilty of anything……….yet.
Of course it was wrong for Bella to keep Jacob in such close proximity and leading him on like that. But then again, Bella is still human. And humans get so confused sometimes. You want something, you don’t want it, but you want it and you don’t want it. That’s just the way it works. Obviously, being with Jacob was just so much easier, comfortable, harmless (somewhat), so Bella felt secure around him. That was the pull, that was what made her stick around. The “love” she feels for him is different from the love for Edward. Still love nonetheless…
I am SO going to buy Edward’s CD! lol 😀
As we’ve seen in New Moon, Bella can barely live without Edward, but she CAN (no matter how hard it is) live without Jacob. I don’t think she knows she’s leading Jacob on, I think she doesn’t realize just HOW strong his feelings are.
I can sympathize with Bella as I am currently in love with two guys. I am in the same situation boyfriend or best friend. HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLPPPPP
I dont want to hurt either of them.
It most definitely is not okay for Bella to be leading them both on. That was the biggest problem I had with Eclipse… there were a few times I wanted to yell at Bella. Can’t she see how much she loves Edward, and how much she hurts him by running off to Jacob?
i think that edward can tell that jacob means much more to bella than a regular friend (ahem, unlike, say, MIKE). he can tell that by keeping jake out of her life, he’s hurting her. and seeing that edward loves bella, he’ll just have to put up with that aspect of their relationship. you’ll see how gererous edward can be come chapter…24? i think that’s the one.
-mk8)
I don’t think she knows what’s going on, and even if she realized it, i think that there’s nothing she can do about it.d
kassia, love your comment! i agree with you 100%. that’s the best explaination of jacob’s persona i’ve ever heard! (read, whatever)
-mk
AHAAHHA! You are entirely dead on! How DID she not end up sticking herself with that potted cactus???? It’s impossible.
And you have gotten to why I hate Bella; she has something wonderful (Edward), but still goes after Jacob. Isn’t that a deadly sin? And I think that’s in the ten commandments, too. And he blatently told her that is how he felt, therefore she IS leading him on.
he he… loved the new album cover
as for the question, i don’t think Bella really means to hurt Edward, it’s just that she just can’t turn her back on Jake and leave him in the dust. He really helped her out when she had that rough patch in New Moon, and she can’t just forget about it. That Jake’s in love with her complicates things, and I don’t think she really sees how much Jake’s presence really bugs Edward. Your comment about the supermodel made a lot of sense, and I’m sad to say that I probably would have made an ultimatum. It’s not right for Bella to be leading both guys on, and i was a little frustrated with her almost this entire book with the Jake-then-Edward-then-Jake-then-Edward-again thing. By this time I was a little like “c’mon, just pick one already!” A little irritating…
anyways great post! i’ll check in next week!
ah, the question that gets to the heart of the book: Edward or Jacob?
well, obviously I’m not going to tell you who she chooses (although you probably have been spoiled anyway), but here’s my answer:
It is not alright for her to be leading them on, although since she did agree to marry Edward, he’s not really being led on. But anyways, Jake knows he’s fighting a losing battle, and he knows Bella loves Edward, but he’s not going to give up. Bella really doesn’t see it as leading him on because she just wants to be friends. She’s not conciously doing it, it just sort of happened.
I’m really surprised that you haven’t quite figured out the vampire in Bella’s room mystery 🙂
Okay for those of you who don’t understand where Edward is coming from read the partial midnight sun thing. I seriosly understand the reason Edward acts the way he does now.
Anyhoo. Agreeing with KT i wanted to yell at Bella as well. She was making me pretty darn mad. I wanted her to get the hell away from Jacob but no….. She has to go and *censor*
Bella drove me crazy in this book. I have the same issues as you. She is leading Jacob on, and it only gets worse!! I do like how Stephenie explains it in Breaking Dawn though. It made me feel a ton better about it.
my bf is friends with another ‘model’ girl that would take him in less than a second from me and its sooo frustrating because i cant do anything about it but in the end you have to do exactly wat edward does, you have to trust that the person you love will make the right choices 🙂
but…in terms of twilight…these are the chapters that tore the fandom into Team Edward and Team Jacob and made everyone Team-Anti Bella and wanting to slap her going “pick Edward! pick Jacob!” LOL…great times 😛
I think you must have forgotten that Edward loves Bella enough to do whats best for her, even if it destroys him. He doesn’t like Jake, but thinks that Bella could stay human if she chooses Jake and that would be better for her. He’s wrong, but that isn’t the point. Edward loves Bella, but still thinks he is a lost soul and doesn’t ever want that for his true love.
I Don’t Think it’s Right For Her at All.
She Should Realize That Being With Jacob Hurts Edward & Leading Them Both On Isn’t Fair to Either of Them.
I Think Bella is Just Trying to Create This Perfect Little World Where SHE is Always Going to Be Happy Because She Has Both Edward & Jacob But She’s Not Realizing How it’s Affecting Them.
I think edward half way wants her to choose jake because in his self loathing he relizes that he isn’t the best thing for Bella and she just might be better off with Jake even though it would kill him to have her choose, and the fact that he hates the man guts some part of him wants Bella to choose him.
Bella is definitely leading on Jacob. Is it his fault that she fell apart in New Moon and then spent so much time with him? No, but he deserves someone who can commit to him. Bella knows that she will never choose Jacob over Edward, so she’s just teasing him. Breaking it off with Jacob would be awful and terrible and painful, yes, but it SHOULD BE DONE, before the damage gets worse. Bella has full knowledge of what she’s doing, but can’t bring herself to do anything to correct it. She just whines about how much pain she’s in.
Kaleb, you rock. Just to letcha know.
I don’t think Bella is being very responsible with Jacob. In New Moon, she referred to herself in two different parts, both very different: Edward’s Bella, and Jacob’s Bella. It will be mentioned again later, but as it has been referred to before, I don’t feel very guilty. But Jacob’s Bella is much less responsible, and so sometimes she lets that part take over herself. She so rarely gets to let that side of herself out, and she needs to let that part of herself go and just act bOnKeRs every once in awhile, and Jacob is just the person to let herself go with. She feels too comfortable with him for hers or Edward’s or Jacob’s good, which is a GIMUNGO problem with Edward. She also hasn’t told Jacob clearly enough that SHE IS NOT A BIGAMIST. She can’t live with Edward, and this whole BFF’s-for-never-or-forever-well-maybe-never-no-I-think-it-should-be-forever-DUMP-YOUR-BOYFRIEND-PLEASE-HE-IS-VERY-STINKY-AND-NASTY-and-we’re-still-BFF’s-right? can’t go on for very much longer. But Bella is trying to hold on to Jacob and that part of herself that is so reckless with him, so any compromise, however temporary, is fine with her so long as no person is hurt too severely. Jacob is just trying to save Bella’s humanity, so I see no fault with him. Edward is just trying to get over his problems, and become more mature than his 110 years.
Hope this review doesn’t look like Russian or Greek or Ancient Egyptian.
Well, I think Bella is quite ignorant of Jacob’s feeling and intentions most of the time. I think that if she knew exactly his thoughts and feelings and intentions and continued to spend so much time alone with him it would be wrong but I really think that she has no clue.
Wow, i actually never thought about it that way. I always thought that it was Edward who was wrong to keep Bella away from Jacob. It didn’t occur to me that Bella may be wrong to keep up her friendship with Jacob when it was actually a one-sided love relationship.
but i really don’t think bella knew she was leading jacob on. She knew Jacob liked her, but she tried hard to make it clear that she didn’t like him that way. but she didn’t want to hurt him, so perhaps she didn’t make it clear enough. I think that bella was just being bella. She was determined to somehow work around the problem, and not have to choose either jacob or edward. The same way she was determined to somehow manage a relationship with a vampire who was constantly fighting the urge to kill her. You’ll just have to keep reading, kaleb, and see if bellas plans work out. 🙂
And also, i would NOT be happy if my boyfriend was best friends with a super-model who loved him.
TO HELL WITH YOU, EVIL MODEL GIRL, TO HELL!!!
heehee 😀
u have got to make it clear what team you’re on! by the way you talk it sounds like Edward, but then u say jacob has the best intentions? does this mean switzerland for you? or you like them both but edward is right for bella? or you like them both but she needs to choose jacob? or jacob is a rotten stupid mutt/twit (ok so im not that good with the name calling) and Edward needs to keep bella away from him? <- 😀 haha. or God forbid Bella leave Edward because he’s a smelly leach? ( 🙁 i dont mean it! im trying to think how jacob lover would!)