Eclipse: A Message of Purity by Brittany Nelson

02 Aug Eclipse: A Message of Purity by Brittany Nelson

First of all, I have to admit that I am one of the avid Twilight series fans. I mean who can’t love a Victorian era vampire or a young, muscle-bound werewolf?

Because of my love for the series and the message I believe it holds, I felt compelled to write this article as a response to the controversy and criticism it has sparked in some circles.

Many people look for the flaws in these books and the reasons it may have a negative impact on today’s youth, but there is more to this series than meets the eye. Stephenie Meyer delivers a simple message of purity throughout all four books.

There is a scene in the book that was recreated superbly in the movie. In the scene, Bella’s human emotions are betraying her and she is hoping that she can convince Edward to have sex with her. However, he rejects the idea because he wants to marry her first:

You’re trying to protect your virtue! I [Bella] covered my mouth with my hand to muffle the giggle that followed. The words were so . . . old-fashioned. No, silly girl, he [Edward] muttered against my shoulder. I’m trying to protect yours. And you’re making it shockingly difficult (Eclipse, 453).

In the scene in the movie (which is ridiculously romantic!), Edward explains to her that he is from a time where sex before marriage did not happen for moral reasons. He says that he would have courted her, walked with her in the park accompanied by a chaperone, and sipped tea with her while sitting on the front porch.

He understands that in today’s world waiting might seem archaic, but that he will not change his mind. Then he asks her to marry him and presents her with his mother’s ring (so sweet!!!). In the fourth book, they have a wedding and then go on their honeymoon, where they have sex for the first time.

What I love about this book is the message that it sends to young girls. The message is that you are important enough to keep your virtue until you get married. There are many girls having sex in high school and even in middle school. I’m hoping that this book will change the mindset of young girls who, after reading the books, will want a guy who will respect them the way Edward respects Bella. Despite her hormones, Bella waits until she is married to have sex.

Some people say that it is important to experiment sexually with everyone you date to make sure you find the right man for you, but this book shows that success in a relationship is about the intimate emotional connection and that the physical connection is more of a plus.

Watching the way Edward respects Bella makes your heart melt and I feel that it will encourage the average 16 year old girl and maybe even a few guys not to physically rush into a relationship.

If you are someone who hasn’t read the series or watched any of the books, you should reconsider and also suggest the series to young girls you know (the few who haven’t caught Twilight fever!).

If you know girls who have read the series, this opens up an extraordinary opportunity to discuss purity. Young girls love to talk about the Twilight series and so you may find this as a chance to positively influence their lives while staying on their level of understanding and having fun!

Brittany Nelson is the co-founder of GWG. After many years of volunteering in international ministry, she became excited about helping other young women discover their passion. Brittany is a Jr. HR Generalist at a consulting firm in the DC area. She spends her free time exploring DC and going to Washington Wizards games with her husband, Paul.

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