Chapter One: First Sight (Choices and Personalities)

The opening lines describe, in essence, the difference between Renee and Charlie, and gives us a hint into why their marriage didn’t work. Renee relocated to Arizona–desert, warmth, sun, cloudless skies. Renee tends to be happier, full of life–and, as Bella describes, erratic. During the winter, you can go swimming, in Arizona. There is always a time to be outside (except probably July, August, and September when air conditioning is essential to survival). But Charlie–Charlie lives in Forks. Rainy, green, depressing, small town Forks. As we come to learn about him, we see a lot of Charlie in Bella. They both don’t talk much, they both tend to hide their feelings and skim the surface. Of course, Charlie loves Forks. It’s the life he’s always known. He’s comfortable. He doesn’t seem like the person who would try to step out of his comfort zone. I find it interesting that Bella chooses Forks over and over again in the books–not for the same reasons as Charlie, but she still chooses Charlie and Forks.

I found it interesting that Charlie feels the need to buy off Bella, in a way. He knows his daughter better than she thinks he does. He purchases a car for her because he already knows the police cruiser will be too much. And Bella? As soon as she sees it she says that she loves it and can see herself in it. For such a dismal beginning of leaving her home in Arizona, things were definitely looking up for Bella.

As Bella begins to describe her looks, the reader realizes that she is no ordinary girl. She comes from a big city, but looks like a small town girl. Her uniqueness in her personality and looks are presented to the audience, foreshadowing her “destiny” (for lack of a better word). The view she has of herself is very succinct, it is so ordinary that any girl can put herself easily into Bella’s shoes. But that opens a huge discussion in and of itself.

Everyone knows her as Isabella, but she goes by Bella. Why? Does she not like her full name? Is it too formal for her? Why would Charlie not inform everyone that she went by a shortened version. They already knew of her move to Forks, why not figure out her name?

A foreshadowing occurs on page 14. “I can do this, I lied to myself feebly. No one was going to bite me.” LOL If only she knew.

As she walks with Eric to Government, Bella makes a sarcastic joke. But Eric doesn’t seem to understand. Again, Bella is showing her frustration with the small town and also her alienation from the rest of the group. She doesn’t fit in with the crowd. This only intensifies as she continues on through the day. And then, in the cafeteria, she seems them.

The Cullens.

And she hears the rumors about them. Edward holds a certain fascination for her. But it’s in biology that he gives her hostile glares. And afterwards, in the counseling office, she overhears him trying to switch classes. Imagine that moment, when Elizabeth is all excited to meet an eligible young man, Mr. Darcy, only to have him talk badly about her saying that “she is tolerable. But not handsome enough to tempt me.” Darcy is rude and as the story progresses becomes more angry with himself for having feelings for someone so beneath him. And Elizabeth’s reaction? She becomes just as mad for his prideful attitude. But Bella is not Elizabeth. She wants to understand why he is so angry at her. She wants to understand him. He is the one person (besides his siblings) who doesn’t fawn over her or try to become her best friend. But instead he is frustrated and angry. Bella somehow brings out strong emotions, either way from all people–they either love her or hate her. It’s hard to be indifferent to Bella. So what does that mean?