Introduction
The Twilight series, written by Stephenie Meyer, is a young adult fantasy romance that has captured the hearts and minds of millions of readers worldwide. The book revolves around the love story between a human girl, Bella Swan, and a vampire, Edward Cullen. Societal and supernatural forces threaten their love story as characters make difficult choices that lead to growth and self-discovery. Teaching students about the Twilight books can provide valuable opportunities to engage them in critical thinking and foster a deeper appreciation for literature.
Approaching the Twilight Books in the Classroom
1. Provide context: Start by giving your students some background on young adult fiction as a genre and the context in which Twilight was published. Discuss popular themes in YA literature, such as coming of age, self-discovery, and romance. Connect these themes to Twilight and elaborate on how they are explored throughout the series.
2. Encourage open discussion: Many students may already have opinions on the series based on its popularity, movie adaptations, or personal experiences. Begin by asking your class about their thoughts on Twilight to gauge interest and prior exposure. Create a safe space where students can share their perspectives without judgment.
3. Focus on character development: One of the main strengths of the Twilight series is its detailed exploration of each character’s growth throughout the story. Have students analyze primary characters (Bella Swan, Edward Cullen, Jacob Black) as well as secondary characters (the Cullen family members, Bella’s friends). How do their thoughts, feelings, and actions change over time? What factors influence their decisions?
4. Analyze literary devices and themes: Meyer uses various literary techniques throughout Twilight that can be examined with your students. Discuss symbolism (for example, the apple on the cover), metaphors (the lion and lamb quote), or motifs (the weather in Forks). Themes like forbidden love, identity, and choice can also be explored in connection to character development and the story’s plot.
5. Compare and contrast: To understand the impact of Twilight in popular culture, invite students to compare it to other YA novels or vampire-themed stories. Additionally, consider comparing the books to their film adaptations to examine how different mediums convey storytelling elements.
6. Encourage creative writing: Reading the Twilight series can inspire students in their writing. Assign creative tasks such as rewriting pivotal scenes from a different character’s perspective, composing fan fiction that expands on the Twilight universe, or creating original stories using themes and motifs from the series.
7. Explore critical reviews and controversies: Discussing both positive and negative critiques of the series encourages students to develop well-rounded opinions. Debate topics such as the portrayal of gender roles, relationship dynamics, and stereotypes within the book can help foster critical thinking skills.
Conclusion
Teaching students about Twilight books is an opportunity to engage them in literature analysis and discussions around themes relevant to their experiences. Encouraging critical thinking through debates on controversial topics will help them appreciate diverse perspectives while fostering a love for reading and writing.
