Bella is not stupid. She's a depressed girl with low self-esteem BEFORE she falls under the (unintentional) spell of the Cullens' (unexploited) predatory allure. Bella knows this and is worried about herself, and the reader is supposed to be worried about her too. I don't think it takes an adult reader to view her bad choices as a cautionary tale (though I don't like the idea of young children reading this series).

I believe Twilight's true standing in literature/pop culture will be clearer ten years down the road, when the hype AND the reactionary whining have ended.

I find the SCL environment generally insightful and enriching, and a sincere kudos to you guys.

Way to be progressive, people.

I will say that I had Godly parents that have always taught us that people as a whole are not perfect and that expecting perfection from a spouse can cause more damage to a marriage than many other things. They also taught us to have high standards and that is what I think the author was attempting to show. In a world were many young ladies have no example of a man in their lives or examples that cause more damage than good I think a series that actually enforces not having sex is a good thing. I read someone's comment about Edward portraying God I think that that's a good point of view. The Bible tells us that wifes should honor their husbands and that husbands should love their wives as God loved the church, this is impossible to accomplish but we are called to work towards it… I think the same cause be said for the movie, young women shouldn't be looking for someone that is Edward rather someone that shows the attributes that Edward shows or better yet a young man that strives to be like our Heavenly Father… Once again from what I have read about the author that is along the lines what she was trying to show.