The song for these chapters is The Killing Lights by AFI (suggested by Mikayla)
I should probably note before I publish this post that it is being written whilst its author is flying high on a recent can of Red Bull and crazy music on repeat. This combination is not at all the proper situation for reading Breaking Dawn, especially with all the death and destruction that seems soon to befall all the residents of Forks and La Push. But I’ve got a writing deadline, and I’m packing up my house to move, and energy drinks seem far better for me than dropping dead from exhaustion at the moment. On to Breaking Dawn!
Now that Bella and the Cullens, and I’m assuming the werewolves, have been sentenced to die by the Volturi, there are really only three options:
1. (Honorable Choice) Fight for their lives and the lives of their loved ones.
2. (Chicken Choice) Run around screaming in circles, because that always fixes things.
3. (Medieval-Mindset Choice) Put Bella on a stake and cart her outside the city walls, in hopes the sacrifice will pacify the oncoming armies.
I can’t really say that I can imagine how terrified they all must be, knowing that there is this great army of vampires coming to get them. It’s such a nightmarish thought, because as of now it doesn’t really seem like there’s much they can do. If they run, the Volturi will simply follow them. They won’t be able to hide anywhere. And making peace with the Volturi seems nearly impossible as of now.
I think most of their fear is simply from being without options – the thought that nothing they do will be able to save them. There are few things that I am greatly, paralyzingly afraid of (besides wasps and bees) but one of my greatest fears is just being helpless. In life, if there is a problem, usually there is a way to simply fix it by sacrificing something. If we need to pay the rent, and we don’t have enough money, we can sell the TV. If we need to get somewhere because a friend is dying, there is always a friend or a bus or something to get us there. But in the case of the Cullens and the werewolves, their absolute, petrifying fear is brought because there doesn’t seem to be any hope at all. No one will listen to their plight, and no fighting will save them. It is like being told in a premonition that your best friend is going to die tomorrow, and then having to actually go 24 hours knowing that it’s going to come true. When there suddenly seems like there is no hope, what is the point of even fighting anymore?
“My face felt permanently set into the fixed mask it had worn all night. I wasn’t sure I had the ability to smile anymore.” (pg. 555)
Not The Face Stephenie Was Imagining
But the fact is that there is some way out for the Cullens, even though it might be hard to find; and thankfully, the Cullens happen to have friends who can help. Alice seems to have a good idea of what she is doing, or at least some type of plan to get them out of this mess. I don’t even believe for a second that she is leaving the area to get out of being hurt in the battle. She’s like a sister to Bella, and everyone knows her far better than this – so whatever she is planning, I have a feeling it’s for the best of them all.
When Bella makes mention of this random J. Jenks person, I can’t help but be reminded of J Jonah Jameson from Spiderman, or feel like I’m in some sort of old gangster/detective film, where the villain just left a clue at the scene of the crime to tease Investigator McSmuff. For example:
J JENKS ESCAPED YOU AGAIN.
INVESTIGATOR McSMUFF BETTER WATCH HIS BACK. SINCERELY, J JENKS.
HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT? SIGNED, J JENKS
J Jenks, Wanted Dead Or Alive
On the other hand, I think that with a name like J. Jenks, whoever this is could be some sort of lost vampire slayer, who has made a treaty to spare the Cullens but who’ll be willing to work and save their skins in return for vampire money. Then again, I’m getting way off topic.
Edward teaching Bella how to fight is a very, very significant part of this book in my opinion. After all, through the entire Twilight Saga, Bella has been seen as pretty much helpless, and almost any time there was danger, one of the Cullens or Jacob would come to save her. But suddenly, there’s no time for that anymore. She can’t always be saved by them – she’s one of them now. She’s got to fight alongside her family.
The whole Jane/Alec duo makes me think of a big spider. Alec blasts you with poison that dulls your senses, and makes you vulnerable. Then Jane goes in for the kill and burns your brains. That’s a chilling team there, which could very easily knock out the Cullens one by one, not even taking into consideration the rest of the Volturi who will be there. Bella’s thinking along the same lines as me: if she can just knock those two out, it will be a very powerful blow to their attackers. It also makes me wonder just how Bella’s powers will come in handy for this big battle.
I’m trying to imagine what it must feel like for Tanya and the other vampires to discover Renesmee. I suppose a similar situation would be if I walked into a house and saw a gigantic octopus sitting on the couch, watching television, and was told that it was my brother’s new girlfriend. Or, probably more fitting, if one of my friends suddenly told me in all seriousness that they were marrying a scorpion. But then, seeing how Renesmee telling the story herself is so influential, I suddenly see this as a potential lifesaver for them all. What if they can simply convince the Volturi to listen to her? Perhaps they might see the truth and spare them all without any war.
Question For The Comments: Which vampire’s power would you rather have: Jane’s or Alec’s?
–NOTES–
– I’m flying in to California to look at cars and apartments this weekend, and my posts will be really scattered again! But I’m still set on finishing Breaking Dawn in time for September 9 ๐
This post is one which was recovered after the Great Website Server Failure, and is missing most of its previous comments.
79 Responses
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Oh, Kaleb, you were totally spoiled. You know you were.
I wouldn't really like having Jane or Alec's power, but if I had to choose, I'd say Alec. At least it doesn't hurt. I wouldn't want to hurt anyone, even if they were trying to hurt me. Rendering them completely senseless is just as effective.
wow that's a difficult question.
i'd say alec's but his gift works slowly, so probably jane's, but she can only incapacitate 1 person at a time, its hard .. maybe just super strength *shrugs*
ps. LOL i didn't know kaleb nation listened to happy hardcore ..
pps. LOL @ Starry_NightT .. i didnt't even thik of it that way .. that would be quite cool
You seem to be funnier with you're on Red Bull! LMAO! Althought I should say… I hear bad things about energy drinks, Kaleb! There's a reason I've never touched one!
I'm not sure I would want Jane's OR Alec's power! Can I have Alice's and just be psychic? =)
Yeah, I'd probably be frantic and living in the future with Alice's power. With Edward's I'd go mad with all the petty, sadistic, cruel, and just plain stupid thoughts. I feel so sorry for him. With Jane I'd slip. A lot of times. I mean I'd get so angry and then the next second the person is writhing in pain. Big uh-oh moment if I did that to my sister. Alec. Maybe I mean he seems even more sadistic than Jane. I just get that vibe from them, no one is that eerily calm. NO ONE! I'd go for Reneesme since I can't explain myself that thoroughly and when she matures she might be able to project without touching a person. She also has the most control with her power besides Kate and Bella. Also probably Jasper. It's be too funny to send Rosalie a wave of lust and get her to kiss Bella. Or when Bella was human send her buckets of lust so she can have dreams about all the Cullen men. She'd be so mortified and it would be hilarious! Also most people assume your brother would really have a octopus girlfriend. I seriously burst out laughing at that. God, if I walked in the house to see an octopus lounging on my couch watching TV and my sister claimed it was her boyfriend I'd seriously freak out. Then convince her to dump him.
I am very… ah… sadistic so I'd have Jane's
As a fellow bee-fearing Californian, I welcome you to our fair shores!
I would way rather have Alec's.
But Jane's would be awesome too.
Alec's would be cooler, because perhaps somone could be strong enough to resist Jane's pain. You cant resist when all of your sences are cut off.
Jane's. I have always wanted to get back at certain people… And I think there's a sick side of me that would have a lot of fun with that…
I wouldn't like Alec's, not in a million years. To be able to cut someone off of all senses seems much more sadistic to mean then simply burning someone with your mind. There is seriously something wrong with Jane and Alec, though. And even though Jane has a temper, Alec's constant calm is somewhat disturbing, and even a little scary.
I don't think I'm that mean…
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Causing pain isn't really all that appealing to me, so I would definately pick Alec's powers.
JANES! Hale yes. I could just walk aroung a mall and cause people to be in pain when i see them. IT WOULD BE FUN!!!!! MUA-HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA
ummm i dnt reli think u can compare Renesmee to a giant octopus! That me lol – literally!
I think Janes power would be the most fun, watchin someone drop to the floor in complete incapacitating agony, all because u looked at them, however it would probly be extremely funni to have Alecs power and make someone 'senseless', theyd be running around like headless chickens! haha
I would want Alec's power because it can incapitate multiple people at once. It would be more useful to make everyone senseless than for just one to be in pain. It is also useful for helping people who are in pain. I also don't think I'm sadistic eanough to use Jane's power.
Alec's, no question. If you want to take down more than one person, I'd simply paralyze them and let the others do my dirty work. ๐
Yeah, that sounds a bit sadistic. Sorry. xD
Kaleb, after you're done with Breaking Dawn, are you going to blog about The Host? We'd all love that!!
i dont really kno. i think i wud go w/ jane's cuz just the intimidation aspects wud b useful. not 2 mention the ease of killing sum1. ofcourse this is from a strategic point of view. i'd prolly b less guilt ridden if i had Alec's.
I guess out of the two Iยดd want to have Alec's power, because it's pretty useful if you have to defend yourself. But it still seems very cruel to cut off ALL senses of somebody. So I don't know wheter Jane's power wouldn't be nicer after all. But considering the pain – probably not. And of course as already said Alec's power is not limited to only one person.
But if I could choose between all the powers Iยดd either take Bella's or Benjamin's. I would only take Bella's if I knew that other people had powers too to protect myself.
But if not I would definitely take Benjamin's! I mean he can influence all elements, how cool is that? Yeah, I would definitely like that =D!
Edward's power seems pretty cool, too. But I think that would request to be VERY forgiving. Because even your friends/family don't always think nice things about you.And it's not like you could just turn it off.. I would like to find out what people are really thinking, but only if it were for a day or something.
I would totally have janes ๐ It would be totally awsome and if you hated someone alot you could go “I HATE YOU!” and burn them with your mind for a couple seconds.
Alec's hands down.
Probably Jane's.
But I just want to point out that what you said in this chapter is exactly why some of us felt so sorry for Jacob, and could understand him sticking around. He had no other options. That was his very last chance, to make Bella somehow impossibly change her mind before it was too late. You said being helpless is one of the worst things that can happen to you. I agree. And that's what Jake felt like.
Hmmm….I like the idea of using Jasper's power to have fun at school…….
The teachers would love me, I'm sure. If they knew it was me! =D
hmmm… Well, Jane's would be cool… haha jk i'm not THAT evil. I would want neither, I'm mean, sheesh. Could the pair of them BE any more nasty and horrible?
Alec's gift, definitely. I can help people, and it would be good for self defense. If I had Jane's gift, I would lose control of it whenever I lose my temper.
Alec's, definitely. If I had Jane's I would never use it, and if I did, I would regret it. Alec's power, though, I wouldn't feel bad about using.
I'd choose Jane's power. There are a few people I'd love to use it on.
Btw… I'd rather be in excruciating pain then have my senses taken. I think that's more sadistic. The people I'd use it would probably rather have their senses cut.
You know… I've actually put some thought into what type of 'vampire power' I would prefer… yeah… thats silly I know… but I actually had this conversation with my 'tolerant' hubby… I say tolerant because he simply tolerates my Twi-stuff ๐ He actually humored me with this conversation though… I decided I would like the 'power' of decisiveness… yeah, it doesn't sound to impressive… but I have the worst time deciding anything… Im horrible when it comes to making up my mind about pretty much any and everything… that would be awesome to me just to be able to make decisions without all the wishy-woshyness… His was something like photographic memory or something like that… still cool… ๐ Yeah, I know you posted this like ages ago… still thought I would put my two cents in… I don't really want either Alec or Janes semi-demonic abilities… that would be too difficult with my lack of decision skills… who knows what damage I would do with that??? Better for me to stick to something more beneficial ๐
You know… I've actually put some thought into what type of 'vampire power' I would prefer… yeah… thats silly I know… but I actually had this conversation with my 'tolerant' hubby… I say tolerant because he simply tolerates my Twi-stuff ๐ He actually humored me with this conversation though… I decided I would like the 'power' of decisiveness… yeah, it doesn't sound to impressive… but I have the worst time deciding anything… Im horrible when it comes to making up my mind about pretty much any and everything… that would be awesome to me just to be able to make decisions without all the wishy-woshyness… His was something like photographic memory or something like that… still cool… ๐ Yeah, I know you posted this like ages ago… still thought I would put my two cents in… I don't really want either Alec or Janes semi-demonic abilities… that would be too difficult with my lack of decision skills… who knows what damage I would do with that??? Better for me to stick to something more beneficial ๐
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