Tuck Everlasting v. Twilight Saga
I have read Tuck Everlasting. I have not read Twilight, but I've heard plenty about it. A while back my cousin, her sister, and I had a brief conversation about how different they are. (SPOILERS FOR BOTH BOOKS) We noticed that in Tuck Everlasting, Winnie decides not to drink the water and live forever with Her Love, but that Bella makes the opposite decision in the Twilight books and becomes a vampire to live with Her Love forever. Bella gave up her soul so she could spend eternity on earth with an imperfect vampire. Whats the big deal? Well, the books are sending two different messages. The Twilight books are telling their young readers that love is the most important thing, upholding the lie that 'love is all you need', when really 'one imperfect/unhappy person plus one imperfect/unhappy person equals two imperfect/unhappy people'*. The fact is, no amount of human love will make us eternally happy- thats where Jesus comes in. (END SPOILERS)
The Sea of Monsters
Switching gears to one of the books from the Percy Jackson series.
My mom brought this one to my attention, because I had been reading the books so uncritically I completely missed it. One of the gods tells Percy that it is alright to break rules as long as you succeed in what you were planning to do, because then everything will balance out. Hm. I'm not so sure that this is the best thing to be telling adolescent readers. Rules are usually in place for a very good reason.
Be Careful What You Write
I am not sure how many of you out there write, but if you do please be careful. Be cautions about what your characters do and don't do. You may know its just a book, I may know its just a book, but some of your readers may assume that because your character got away home free, they might have a chance, too. Give your characters good morals that you'd want your kids, siblings, cousins, whoever, to follow.
And read critically. Look at what different authors are presenting as 'a-okay' and think about it- how great is it, really? And if you have any additions to my list of stories with not-so-great-morals, and even examples of stories with great morals, let me know!
*one of The Seven Sweet Lies from Worldview Academy, and their counter truths
6 comments:
hear hear! on your tuck v. twilight thoughts
Yes, I agree!
Yay, Worldview!
I need to read Tuck Everlasting. I've heard about it for years, but just haven't remembered to pick it up at my library.
And re: Twilight. Not to defend it and all, but I must clarify. Bella wants to be with her love, but in the end (SPOILER) she ends up with him out of necessity and not because she pestered him until it happened. Small difference, but I did want to clarify that bit.
Interesting thought you brought up. Thanks for sharing.
:)
Yes, do read Tuck Everlasting!
Ah, thanks for clarifying. I was only going on secondhand information having not read the books for myself- thanks for pointing that out!
I have read both of the books, ha ha.
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