Romance, Vampires, and Choice: The Twilight Saga’s Legacy

Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Myhill, Nova

Area of Concentration

English

Abstract

This thesis, titled "Romance, Vampires, And Choice: The Twilight Saga’s Legacy," examines the intersection of romance literature conventions, the evolving vampire archetype, and post-feminist theory within Stephenie Meyer’s The Twilight Saga. Romance novels traditionally emphasize emotional fulfillment, gender roles, and societal norms, often reinforcing patriarchal structures through female passivity and romantic dependency. However, recent scholarship suggests these narratives can also serve as spaces for subtle empowerment and agency. This study employs a post-feminist lens to explore how Twilight navigates and negotiates these dynamics, particularly focusing on the characters of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen. Chapter 1 provides a historical overview of the vampire archetype, tracing its transformation from a monstrous figure in 19th-century folklore to a morally complex, sympathetic character in contemporary literature. This evolution mirrors shifting cultural anxieties and desires, with Meyer’s Edward Cullen epitomizing the modern vampire—combining romantic idealism with ethical ambiguity. Chapter 2 delves into the post-feminist dimensions of Twilight, analyzing how Bella’s and Edward’s choices reflect a balance between traditional romantic ideals and modern notions of autonomy and empowerment. Bella Swan’s journey illustrates a delicate negotiation of femininity and agency, while Edward Cullen’s character arc highlights a redefined masculinity that emphasizes emotional depth and mutual respect. The thesis argues that The Twilight Saga not only reinforces certain romantic and patriarchal tropes but also challenges and reinterprets them within a post-feminist framework. By presenting characters who navigate the tensions between autonomy and relational commitment, Meyer’s work reflects contemporary gender dynamics and offers a complex portrayal of choice and agency in young adult paranormal romance. Future research directions include expanding interpretations of masculinity in postfeminist contexts, where limited studies exist, and redefining femininity and traditional values in ways that empower female characters beyond the vilification of patriarchal norms. These avenues promise to deepen the understanding of gender dynamics in modern literature and contribute to ongoing discussions about empowerment and agency in post-feminist landscapes.

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