Wednesday, February 4, 2009

To Emmett

I've been thinking a good deal recently about Rosalie. Carlisle turned her, originally, so that Edward would have a companion, just as he has his Esme. Rosalie and Edward, as a couple did not work out ... to put it mildly. Why? Because Rosalie and Edward are Janus: two sides of the same coin; so alike that they can't stand the sight of each other.

Now, can two people who are very much alike make a relationship, make love, work? Of course. Did Edward and Rosalie? Of course not. Rosalie found and then chose Emmett (and he, her), and Edward found and then chose Bella (and she, him).

Now I argue that Bella, despite noises from some disgruntled quarters, is one of the strongest characters in the series. Eventually she has the strength and powers to back up her will and determination.

The same argument can be put forward for Emmett. He is not just a character that exists simply to supply a pairing to Rosalie. Steph chose her characters well, and each had their own well-defined personality and history. That Emmett did not go crowing about his past, or trumpeting his achievements does not mean he doesn't have them to boast (or, in Edward's case, to lament). A quiet character has character. It just requires effort to uncover it, and then to revel in it.

I have.

My admiration of Emmett is boundless. He is the strongest character in the Twilight series, but I'm not talking about physical strength. That he is constantly untroubled by Rosalie, that he actually enjoys her company, that he delights in her tantrums and hissy fits? That he lets her be her all the while not being stepped on by her or hiding behind or under her skirt?

You know that Emmett is as smart as all the other Cullens and Hales. How come you never hear about it? It's because he doesn't measure his worth by his intellect. If I was one tenth the man Emmett is, I'd be twice the man I am now. I think the world needs more big tough teddy bear guys that like to laugh and only have eyes for their own girl.

But that's just me. How about you? Do your own digging into Emmett's character. You may be delighted with what you find.

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The title of this post indirectly refers to the poem by Edgar Allen Poe, "To Helen". I do not have a source, but I recall some calling this poem the perfect representation of a poem in the classical style.

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