Twilight, like most novels, raises it’s share of questions. While the text offers it’s own explanations, these can be easily missed—particularly if a viewer has only enjoyed the film versions. People share these questions online, only to be rebuffed by die hard readers for whom the answers were clear. To remove any confusion, I’m going to go over some common misconceptions.
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1) Werewolf Pants
There’s actually a practical reason most of the werewolves run around without shirts. In real life, the practical reason is sex appeal…but in the books, it’s explained that not having to deal with a shirt only makes life easier. When werewolves phase, they’re clothes don’t morph out of existence; instead, they end up being torn. What many werewolves do is tie the pants around their leg before turning, so that they’ll remain undamaged and be accessible when they have to turn back. They could have brought their shirts along too…but the less fabric they have to carry around, the better. If they need to fight, jeans are enough of a hindrance. If the films had focused on accuracy to the books, the werewolves wouldn’t have worn shoes either. Jacob, in his heated phases, makes it clear he’s destroyed more than one pair of sneakers. The fact is, ripping through so many shoes and pants is expensive; at least they can cut back on the shirt bills. Plus, werewolves run at a higher temperature; even standing shirtless in a blizzard, Jacob would be comfortable.
2) Vampire Venom
This wasn’t explicitly stated in the films, but the book implies that vampire venom can sicken a werewolf. It doesn’t affect them in the same way. If Jacob was bitten by a vampire, he wouldn’t turn into one…but it’s likely he wouldn’t feel good either. In a way, the shapeshifters are immune to the venom…though they should still try to avoid it. Seth expresses relief, after his tiff with vampire Bella, that she didn’t bite him, saying only that it would have “sucked.”
3) Cullen Backstories
The films only cover the tales of Jasper and Rosalie, but the books give the reader a glimpse into everyone’s vampire origins. Carlisle’s is the first story you hear: his father was a priest, a hunter of the supernatural, and, though most of their victims were innocent humans, they did manage to flush out a real coven. While pursuing these vampires, Carlisle was bitten. Knowing his father would see him as a monster, he retreated. He learned he could live off animals, as well as retain his religious beliefs. Emmett was mauled by a bear, while Esme had the most tragic tale. When she lost her child, she tried to take her own life. Once turned into a vampire, those motherly instincts remained—making her a natural mother to Edward and his adopted siblings. They helped to fill that void for her. Most intriguing out of all the stories, however, has to be that of Alice. She was sent to an asylum, having shown signs of precognition even in her human form. Whilst there, two vampires took an interest in her. One cared about her…but the other saw her as a meal and a challenge both. The first vampire bit Alice in order to save her, knowing the second vampire would lose interest once she was turned.
Due to her time in the dark, Alice lost all memory of her human life and of the person who created her. Any inkling of her past life came with James. Though he now pursued Bella, Alice was his original target. Alice was made into a vampire to protect her from James, and he shares this with Bella as he films her. In a way, Bella is recompense to the tracker for losing Alice. This is a big moment in the books…but one which is left completely from the movies.
4) Shapeshifter Origins
The films only state that Jacob and his brothers are descended from wolves. The books actually explain how this happened. Stephenie Meyer generated controversy when she incorporated a First Nations myth into her novels…but for those immersed in the story, it might be interesting to know how Jacob ended up the way he is. Jacob’s ancestors weren’t shapeshifters. Instead, they left behind their bodies, essentially traveling through the astral plane. While they did so, their bodies were still alive and ready to take them back…but when a jealous member of the tribe killed his own body and stole that of the chief’s, the chief was trapped in this form.
While in spirit form, members of the tribe could take over the body of animals. The chief took over a wolf…but his emotions became too much for the animal, and the pair of them morphed into something new. The chief had a human body again, but the wolf form remained accessible…and it was a power he passed on to his children. Due to the risks associated with spirit travel, the tribe practiced it less and less…but their ability to turn into wolves gave them an edge—not only against other tribes, but against vampires.
5) Vampire Temperature
Vampires are as cold as ice…but they can feel temperature. Warmth is actually quite pleasant to them. Extreme weather won’t bother them, but warm water or warm blood is appreciated. Fire, of course, is dangerous for a vampire. Though a mountain blizzard won’t trouble them, being flung into a pyre is one thing which presents a threat. Still, at the end of the day, a vampire can appreciate a hot bath as much as anyone.
6) Vampire Regeneration
In addition to being as cold as ice, vampires are also as hard as rocks. If a limb is removed, a vampire can’t grow a new one. However, if the vampire retrieves the limb, it will reattach itself. This is why it’s essential to burn a vampire. If it’s remains are left behind, they can crawl back together. The vampire can reassemble itself…even if it loses something essential, like a head. Since their other organs are dead, having them torn out likely wouldn’t cause much of a problem either. Vampires don’t need their hearts, even if they still have them. Fire is the only sure death. Even starvation can’t kill a vampire. Lack of hunting will weaken them, and make them crazy, but it won’t kill them. Bullets would glance off their skin, and claws offer caresses. Aro suggests a nuclear bomb might kill vampires when he speaks of human technology that could destroy the species…but short of radioactive destruction, fire remains the only tool for killing the undead.
7) Eye Colour
Viewers of the film would have noticed Bella’s eyes began as red, before shifting into the familiar yellow. Animal blood changes a vampires eyes, but not overnight. Plus, if anyone has a lapse, their eyes will go straight back to red. The process is a gradual one. The red eyes will first shift to amber, before lightening to the quiet yellow. Drinking animal blood doesn’t seem to have any other physical effects, though it’s noted that abstaining from human blood can actually allow a vampire to experience deeper emotions, and more lasting bonds. Those who hunt animals are no longer forced to focus on survival. They can fall in love, form friendships, and build a large family which contains no hostility within it.
8) Other Vampire Hybrids
The films introduce Nahuel, another human-vampire hybrid. He’s proof that Renesmee isn’t the only one of her kind, but the films don’t give you his story. Nahuel actually has several sisters, all created by a vampire father who used human women as a means to an end in what he considered an experiment. He had the idea of creating a super race, but Nahuel resented his father, Joham, for the way he treated the human mothers. His own birth killed his mother, and his access to vampire venom meant that, despite his hybrid status, he could still create full fledged vampires with his bite. This is how he changed his aunt. Though it’s not proven, there is another implication: while Nahuel can make full vampires, Renesmee’s bite is harmless. Since Nahuel’s sisters couldn’t make other vampires either, the implication seems to be that male hybrids are venomous while females are not. Females still feel thirst, and Renesmee has no problem sucking back blood, but if she was to lapse and bite Charlie, he, aside from having to patch up a cut, would remain unchanged.
9) Volturi Loyalty
To those who have only seen the films, it might be unclear to viewers why there isn’t more dissent within the Volturi ranks. Why does no one turn on Aro? Why do so many people join him? The answer lies with Chelsea. She can manipulate a person’s relationships, weakening their ties with their own families and strengthening their loyalty to the Volturi. Marcus, one of the three leaders, can also pick up on relationships, giving Chelsea a map of what she has to work with. Chelsea can’t destroy the bond between mates, but anything less than that is fair game. Thankfully, Bella’s shield seems to repel this trick as well, since it’s wholly psychological.
The Volturi also have other powers at their disposal. Even if someone did manage to break free of Chelsea’s spell, they would have nowhere safe to hide. Dimitri is a tracker; his death is essential in the book’s battle plan, if Renesmee is to truly escape. Dimitri can find anyone; his abilities make even James look pathetic. If someone tries to outrun the Volturi, Dimitri will find them.
Other powers keep Chelsea loyal to the ranks. Renata’s shield prevents anyone from staging a mutiny against Aro, and Jane and Alec deter any insubordination. The arsenal of powers available to the leading vampires are only touched upon in the films. The books offer a clearer explanation for how synchronized the group is, as well as revealing other abilities which not only work in battle, but within the soldiers own ranks. There are powers to destroy…but powers which also keep the group cohesive.
10) Renee’s Involvement
The books suggest Renee will no longer be apart of Bella’s life once she becomes a vampire. Though Charlie can deal with the implication Bella has now become engaged in supernatural forces, he doesn’t need to know what she is in order to continue spending time with her. Operating on a need to know basis, he accepts life has a strangeness to it now, but that he must deal with it if he wishes to continue his role as doting grandpa. Charlie is the tough one. Bella doesn’t wish to bring her dark existence into her mother’s otherwise cheerful world.
The book doesn’t delve into what Bella tells her mother, though she begins a gradual distancing process with her. Some readers, myself included, feel Renee deserves better than that. She’s tougher than she looks, and it seems unfair to deprive her of the chance to have a relationship with a granddaughter. The movie even suggests she would like such a bond, when she speaks with Bella about her passing the hand made quilt, made from trip t-shirts, to her daughter, along with any close memories. She’s excited by the idea of Bella having a little girl.
For those wondering what happened to Bella’s relationship with her mother, this is what the book offers. Still, one has to wonder if Renee could be given a second chance in future iterations. She would make a fun grandmother, if nothing else; this is a bond she deserves to have.
In Conclusion
The movies gloss over some pressing questions, potentially leaving viewers confused, but I’ve attempted to answer those questions which I’ve noticed cropping up. Whether it be abilities or backstories, I’ll always advocate for people to read the books which accompany their favourite films; most questions within them are answered—though, if you still find yourself confused you can check out my post on the questions Twilight left me with.
What questions as a movie only viewer do you have? What questions did the book leave you with? And is there a part you wish they hadn’t left out? Please share!