Twilight Lexicon Discussion Forums

It's 6 minutes to midnight here in the Pacific Northwest, so technically it isn't Edward's birthday here ... yet. But seeing as how it's only a few minutes away I thought I'd follow Dovrebanen and wish Edward (even though he's fictional) a happy birthday. Wow, that just sounds strange, but you know I think SM and the character of Edward have changed a lot of people's opinions on how they think a male should behave. I mean chivalry has all but disappeared and it was wonderful to see it back in full force with Edward. I'm not saying there aren't sincere, brave, funny, gorgeous guys out there. Far from. But to have them all wrapped into one perfect package is ... yeah. lol

So, I think in honor of Edward's birthday I'll ask a birthday question. Well, not so much birthday, but ... yeah, anyway. lol

How has the character of Edward changed your view on life, love and men in general? If he hasn't groovy. If he has, please tell us how!

Dovrebanen wrote:How has the character of Edward changed your view on life, love and men in general? If he hasn't groovy. If he has, please tell us how!If I had been single when I first discovered Edward, it would have totally ruined my appreciation of men I mean, who can live up to something like that? But luckily I am celebrating ten years with my partner next month. And he's not an Edward, but he'll do. Still wish he would sparkle from time to time

I think Edward just gave me an incredible story of love and loss, and finding love again. It is very powerful, and it has taken me on an emotional rollercoaster. I think I already knew that, but it shows that it is possible for everyone to find true love. And Edward has made me see that the biggest monster and fears is what we see in ourselves, not what others see in us. Edward saw himself as the monster, making him completely ignore the truly good core of him. So it has made see that we have to look within ourselves, and try to see what others see. Even when we are feeling low there is something good in us. If that makes any sense.

Wow, that was wholly beautiful! *sniff* I actually became misty-eyed over what you said about Edward teaching you "that the biggest monster and fears is what we see in ourselves." This is beyond true. How often as a society do we see the worst in ourselves and it's completely different from how others view us. Wow, completely insightful!

I suppose since I asked the question I should answer it, huh?

How has the character of Edward changed your view on life, love and men in general? If he hasn't groovy. If he has, please tell us how!

I'm not sure Edward has had this dramatically awesome impact upon my life, but I will say the character has made a significant dent. SM and Edward have managed to rearrange my thinking on a few things, and cement other ideas in place. I'm not sure a literary character has ever stayed with me as long as Edward has. I read books, smile and then it's off to another book. Sure I have books I reread and I remember names, but it's not ... I mean different somehow. Don't get me wrong, Edward and the HP series are right up there together with memorableness. And I am more in love with the idea of Harry/Ginny than I am with Bella/Edward, but Edward is so on a different level than all the other characters. Does that even make sense?

How has he changed my view on love and men? Well, I have a personal Edward in my life whose issues aren't that of dealing with vampirism, but his own issues and loss, which are right up there with the self-loathing and thinking he's doing me a favor by casting me out of his life. *rolls eyes* I can relate to Bella on so many issues, but that's beside the point. Edward has encapsulated the very core of what I want in a man. The bravery, the chivalry, the humor, the kindness, the oddness, the smirks/grins/smiles, the gentleness, the tender moments, the absent touches, the reserve, the intelligence, the ability to let loose, the quick thinking/quick witted ... I mean, dang -- the ability to apologize when he's done wrong. And it was funny because I knew I liked these things and I knew I wanted them in a man, and crushed unknowingly on "my Edward" for years, but it wasn't until I read the book and saw these qualities that I recognized that I really wanted them. And found most if not almost all of them in my Edward. Not to mention seeing in print Edward saying to Bella what my guy has said to me. Crazy.

Edward pretty much has killed any chance the normal guy has. I find it funny and sad at the same time. Because I think we shouldn't have to settle for anything less than what we want and deserve. And I think it's sad because the definition of a perfect man (Edward) could only come from the imagination of a woman and nigh impossible to find in real life.

But lemme tell you putting up with the fits of "me man, you woman -- I know better" and "I'm just too messed up and horrible that you shouldn't be any where near me because I contain so much guilt over something I can't/couldn't control" is so much more annoying in person. lol

Okay, so first of all:
Happy Birthday to the one and only Edward Anthony Mason Cullen!!!!


How has the character of Edward changed your view on life, love and men in general? If he hasn't groovy. If he has, please tell us how! He hasn't changed my view too much. I've always believed that a man should be a gentleman, sweet, romantic and treat the person he's with like a lady. So I know what I am looking for in a man (and pretty much have always looked for), and that's pretty much all the same qualities that Edward has. It only now makes me worry if I'll ever find a man that I love and loves me and can come close to the wonderfulness that is Edward. He just makes all human men pale in comparison (at least from my experience.) I just hope that one day I'll be lucky enough to meet, fall in love and marry a man that comes close to him. As for life I can't really think of anything. I've had experience with someone in my life who because of some past mistakes doesn't believe they're a good person and deserve to be happy and I kind of compare that to Edward. I believe everyone who tries to do their best and what is right and be a good person deserves happiness.

How has the character of Edward changed your view on life, love and men in general? If he hasn't groovy. If he has, please tell us how!



I met my Man before the Twilight series came out but Reading about how Edward And Bella fell in love makes me realize how lucky I am to have my Paul. There is no where in the whole series where i would say, "Gee I wish my man did that" because chances are, he already has. Hes written me poems and sang to me, he tells me he loves me constantly and he always tells me how beautiful I am. He may not sparkle like Edward but trust me, he still shines in his own way. He even understands my Twilight obsession!!!!

Well I know what it means to love someone and not be together, but also not wanting to be in the world with out them.
I fell in love at 15 with this man and we didn't make it as a couple but I always loved him and he loved me. After my accident he called begging me to go out of town with him. I wasn't able and so said no. He called me and left a few messages. I went back into the hospital and when I got out I found out that he was dead. I was the only person, not even his family that he turned to and I let him down. So I do understand Edwards feelings about Bella. As long as she is alive thats all that matters. and as long as I could talk to my friend that was enough but I let him down and I know Edward would never let Bella around.
A love that is that intense that you can't see the world without them is deeper than most anyone can imagine. And I still and always will remember and the world to me has a whole in it too.

KikiMasenCullen wrote:Wow, Diane. I am so sorry for your loss...I hope you're doing okay now. That was really deep...

Thanks, but he was my first true love and I do know how Edward feels. I am rereading Breaking Dawn and I am at the point where Jacob, Seth and Leah are guarding the Cullens. I don't know if I feel bad because I should have known something was up but my drugs couldn't let me see. Or that I was the only person that he had reached out to and I let him down. When Edward tells Jacob to kill him after Bella dies, I do think Jacob is starting to feel and see the depth of Edwards love for Bella.
I was so upset with people not contacting me, so I had a party at his farm and his sisters came into town and some friends that we know over 20 yrs but the loss is there.

As for Edward's issues, I believe that since he feels that he is a monster, he has nothing to offer to a woman in a romantic sense. The other ones such as Tanya and other vamps, just didn't do it for him. Maybe because he didn't want to give himself to just anyone. I think he thought when he was human, he would find the perfect girl and they would marry and have a family, but as a vampire he didn't see that for himself. Then out of the blue Bella comes along and it took him by surprise that he didn't know how to act and it was a human and he saw her as such a fragile thing and some people think that he was controlling, I just think he was being over protective and that is all. Edward did not even think that as a vampire he could have feelings of love, so that was the difficulties in the first 2 books, and with Bella and her insecurities made matters worse for them. But every relationship has problems and if anyone can find an understanding man like Edward, please don't let him go.