A Boyfriend to Die For: Edward Cullen as Compensated Psychopath in Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight
Date
2011-06-22
Authors
Merskin, Debra
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Communication Inquiry
Abstract
This article is an analysis of the teen-targeted vampire novel Twilight. The series and
related merchandise have been a runaway financial success. Illustrative quotes from
Twilight are presented according to Guggenbühl-Craig’s concept of the “compensated
psychopath” (CP)—an individual who approaches the psychological extreme of
psychopathy but is able to pass for functional in society. The author argues the lead
male character Edward Cullen is a CP and that the representation is problematic.
The book’s main female character, Bella Swan, becomes completely dependent on
Edward, desires him in part because he seems unattainable, and is willing to die and
live a life of predation in order to be with him. The largely uncriticized idealization of
Edward as top boyfriend material flies under the radar of contemporary concern for
girls’ psychic and physical well-being.
Description
Keywords
Adolescence, Meyer, Stephenie, 1973- Twilight, Twilight, Critical communication studies, Psychology in literature, Symbolic power in literature, Women in literature