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Chapter 17
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Twilight, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Love and Lust
Self-Restraint and Morality
Good, Evil, and Perspective
Family
Summary
Analysis
Three vampires emerge from the forest; a woman and a man stand back as a third man takes the lead. These three seem catlike and are dressed like backpackers. Carlisle, Emmett, and Jasper step up to meet them, looking polished in comparison. When the newcomers get close enough, Bella can see that their eyes are burgundy. The dark-haired man introduces himself as Laurent, and his companions as Victoria and James. Carlisle introduces his family, including Bella. Laurent asks to join the game, but Carlisle insists that they’re just finishing. The mood is light; Bella figures Jasper is responsible for that.
Victoria, James, and Laurent’s burgundy eyes immediately set them apart from the Cullens—their eye color is a nod to their probable food source, human blood. When Carlisle introduces Bella as one of the Cullens, it’s a strategic move (it won’t arouse suspicion in the newcomers like leaving her out might). But it also shows Bella that she’s a part of the group. If she remains with Edward, she’ll be considered one of the family.
Themes
Laurent asks Carlisle what his hunting range is, and Carlisle says they hunt in the nearby mountains and keep a permanent home nearby. Laurent is shocked, but Carlisle invites him to come to their home and chat. Intrigued, Laurent accepts; he’s been traveling and hunting since leaving Ontario. He agrees not to hunt in the area so as to not expose the Cullens, explaining with a laugh that they ate outside of Seattle. Carlisle suggests that Emmett, Alice, Edward, and Bella go get the Jeep.
Given the guarded but curious way that Laurent and Carlisle speak, it looks like vampires seldom run into other vampires. Laurent’s shock about the Cullen’s permanent home suggests that other vampires are often wanderers, which would make sense given that if they were feeding on humans it would be hard to stay in one place. The way that Laurent so glibly talks about eating in Seattle shows that he, unlike the Cullens, doesn’t take human life seriously—for him, humans are food, not beings worthy of care or protection.
Themes
In an instant, a breeze blows through Bella’s hair, and James stiffens. James lurches forward, and Edward crouches and snarls in response. Chills run down Bella’s spine. Carlisle says that Bella is with them, and Laurent asks if Bella is a “snack.” James only backs down when Emmett moves closer to Edward. Laurent is wide-eyed and suggests they have a lot to learn about each other. He promises not to harm Bella or hunt in the area, but James shoots him an aggravated look. Carlisle again offers to take Laurent to his home, and Emmett, Alice, and Edward convene around Bella. Bella is too afraid to move, so Edward has to pull her along.
From Laurent’s responses, it becomes even clearer that he’s never thought of humans as anything but food. But he shows that he, at least, is willing to consider new perspectives and learn—unlike, presumably, James. That Bella is terrified shows how this is her firsthand experience of just how frightening and dangerous vampires can be, and also how highlights how different the Cullens are from other vampires.
Themes
Edward throws Bella onto his back as soon as they’re in the trees. He seems to be consumed by fury. When they reach the Jeep, Edward throws Bella in the backseat. Emmett sits next to her and straps her in, while Edward takes the wheel. Edward curses and drives faster than Bella has seen him drive—away from Forks. Nobody answers when Bella asks where they’re going, and she demands that Edward take her home. She screeches that Charlie will call the FBI and that it’ll be horrible for the Cullens, but Edward insists that worse things have happened. Then, calmly, Alice tells Edward to pull over.
Though he does so in the name of protecting her, Edward denies Bella any agency or choice in the matter by driving away from Forks and refusing to listen to her. And in this moment, when Bella cares so much about making sure Charlie is safe, Bella does get upset about how Edward is treating her, and tries to set boundaries and limits. Even so Bella has to rely on Alice’s help to get Edward to listen. It’s notable that Alice is a woman, and that she is the one who listens to Bella here.
Themes
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Edward pushes the Jeep faster, and Alice again tells him to pull over. But Edward says that James is a “tracker.” Emmett stiffen as Edward says that James wants Bella, and that he’s going to hunt her tonight. Bella gasps and shouts that her scent is going to lead James right to Charlie. Finally, Edward stops the Jeep. Ignoring Bella entirely, Edward, Emmett, and Alice discuss James’s desire to hunt Bella. As Edward and Alice glare at each other, Bella says she has a plan: they go back to Charlie’s, she tells him she wants to go to Phoenix, and they lead James away. Then, the Cullens can take Bella anywhere. Emmett says it’s a pretty good idea, and Alice thinks it’ll be okay.
Bella has valid concerns when she learns what it means that James is a tracker—she doesn’t want Charlie to be James’s next meal. Because he’s so emotional, though, Edward isn’t as willing to prioritize Bella’s family over his own chosen family. Meanwhile, as the vampires entirely ignore Bella, they at first deny her any agency in this situation. But though Bella doesn’t have a vampire’s strength, she’s still smart and capable of helping to develop effective plans.
Themes
Bella again demands to be taken home. Finally, Edward says that Bella will leave Forks tonight, one way or another. She can have 15 minutes to pack. He starts the Jeep, and they hurtle back to Forks. Edward insists that he’s going to run away with Bella alone, but Alice refuses. Bella also points out that James is going to think she’s with Edward if Edward disappears, and Charlie will also be suspicious if Edward is out of town. Alice insists that she and Jasper will take Bella, and Bella suggests that Edward stay here for a few days, confuse James, and then come meet her in Phoenix—James will never expect Bella to go the most obvious place. Edward continues to argue, but he eventually gives in.
Because Edward is so in love with Bella and so consumed with protecting her, he’s less able to look at this situation holistically and take into account all the small things he should—such as whether Charlie will be suspicious if both he and Bella disappear. Bella and Edward’s love might be able to conquer all sorts of problems, but they still need their families’ help—and each other’s help—to effectively solve these problems.
Themes
