Dangerous LoveHow does Stephenie Meyer use allusion to develop her themes in New Moon?

Forbidden Love

In Homer’s, Iliad, Paris' love for a married woman, Helen, launched a thousand Greek ships and a 15 year war.

Vampire Love

Kirkus Reviews: “Far from perfect:

Edward's portrayal as monstrous tragic hero is overly Byronic, and Bella's appeal is based on magic rather than character.“

Ilene Cooper, Booklist "There are some flaws

here--a plot that could have been tightened,“

"overreliance on adjectives and adverbs to bolster dialogue”

Themes: What if you lost true love?

"What if true love left you? Not some ordinary high school romance, not some random jock boyfriend, not anyone at all replaceable. True love. The real deal. Your other half, your true soul's match. What happens if he leaves? The answer is different for everyone... What does Bella Swan do when true love leaves her?"

▪ http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/nm_thestory.html, accessed on 09/23/2009).

Technique: Allusion

Readers associate the tragedy of Juliet's fate with Bella's future and as a result the reader is prepared for the heartache Bella faces.

Meyer intentionally develops this connection between the two plots to fool the reader into thinking that Bella's loss will be more permanent than Meyer actually intends. Building tension and suspense.

The allusion to one of the most brilliant plays in the English language spills a patina of artistic talent onto New Moon that it otherwise lacks.

Allusion #1: The Epigraph

"These violent delights have violent ends And in their

triumphs die, like fire and powder,

which as they kiss consume."

Shakespeare reminds his audience that a love too intense can be dangerous.

Meyer is able to warn the audience that perhaps Bella's love for Edward is too strong.

“I wanted the epigraph to be more representative of danger and potential heartbreak."

(Stephenie Meyer, http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/nm_outtakes.html

) As Meyer's purpose is to

explore the ramifications of the loss of love, the quote works effectively to prepare the reader for the conflict Bella will face.

Allusion #2: A Conversation Edward's discussion of Romeo's

actions foreshadows the mistakes Edward is on the verge of making.

Ironically, Edward condemns Romeo for acting impulsively and making "mistake after mistake."

Edward’s peremptory actions actually causes danger for Bella.

Perhaps most importantly, Edward's actions "destroy his own happiness" in a most thorough manner.

The allusion helps Meyer to continue developing the idea that an all consuming love can be dangerous.

"You know, I've never had much patience with Romeo," he commented as the movie started.

"What's wrong with Romeo?" I asked, a little offended. Romeo was one of my favorite fictional characters. Until I'd met Edward, I'd sort of had a thing for him.

"Well, first of all, he's in love with this Rosaline-don't you think it makes him seem a little fickle? And then a few minutes after their wedding, he kills Juliet's cousin. That's not very brilliant. Mistake after mistake. Could he have destroyed his own happiness any more thoroughly?" (p.17)

Allusion #2: A Conversation

Introduces the idea that love can be capricious.

Foreshadows the action to follow. Does Bella’s affection for Jacob make her fickle?

Meyer never effectively develops Bella's romantic feelings for Jacob. Instead, the allusion creates the impression that Bella feels something for Jacob.

"You know, I've never had much patience with Romeo," he commented as the movie started.

"What's wrong with Romeo?" I asked, a little offended. Romeo was one of my favorite fictional characters. Until I'd met Edward, I'd sort of had a thing for him.

"Well, first of all, he's in love with this Rosaline-don't you think it makes him seem a little fickle? And then a few minutes after their wedding, he kills Juliet's cousin. That's not very brilliant. Mistake after mistake. Could he have destroyed his own happiness any more thoroughly?" (p.17)

Allusion #3: The Epilogue Commercial

Purpose: Builds anticipation for the sequel.

Jacob or Edward?

"Abruptly, I remembered what happened to Paris when Romeo came

back. The stage directions were

simple: They fight, Paris falls." (p.552).

Conclusion

Allusions help develop theme.

Allusions allow Meyer to imply details without actually writing them.

Reader is left wondering about the consequences of a love too intense - a love that "as they kiss, consumes.'