Imprinting

[corona]

There are actually a few scenes where Edward demonstrates that he is the father, like when he is giving instructions to Renesmee before Charlie comes over.

But I would agree that the emphasis is far stronger on the connection between Jacob and Nessie. I would agree that the story, as told, didn't lend itself well to family scenes, but where opportunities were presented to show Nessie's connections they almost inevitably favored Jacob over Edward.

The classic moment is when Edward calls Jacob "my brother, my son". Too much is being given to Jacob without having anything overtly expressed by Jacob in return. It's something we all have to assume, which isn't quite good enough.

I think what is really missing from the picture is any demonstration that Jacob understands that Edward and Bella are actually the parents. That would have helped a lot.

[Tornado]

I think what is really missing from the picture is any demonstration that Jacob understands that Edward and Bella are actually the parents. That would have helped a lot.

Again, that gets difficult, because they're all about the same age! Even Edward is that age, although he has had a century's more experience. And because Jacob has known them both for a while (especially Bella) viewing them that way is probably a bit difficult. Again, it's something that would probably develop over time.

[Openhome]

Okay, I love this series and all -- and I even liked Breaking Dawn -- but that line, "my brother, my son" made me burst out laughing so hard I spit my gum into the book. That has to be one of the corniest lines ever published.

[corona]

Okay, I love this series and all -- and I even liked Breaking Dawn -- but that line, "my brother, my son" made me burst out laughing so hard I spit my gum into the book. That has to be one of the corniest lines ever published.

When I first read it I thought immediately of Faye Dunaway in Chinatown:

She's my daughter. She's my sister. My sister, my daughter. She's my sister AND my daughter!

[Tornado]

I must confess I liked that line.

[smitten_by_twilight]

Gotta agree with Kayla, very corny even on first reading. I'm reading along and hit that line and think WTH? OK son-in-law someday if you can stomach thinking of him that way but how did we go from mortal enemies to brother? Is it Jacob Cullen now? I don't think so!

All that emotion was the full week that I have barely been able to look in to the Lex AT ALL as BD publicity explodes. I need to stay awake a few nights just to catch up to the videos.

[thebookworm]

Imprinting - personally I am a fan of this layer to the story. Why? Well because I am a big believer in fate. It's my opinion that imprinting is just fate and nothing more complicated than that. I don't have the opinion that it is a way to improve the blood line and make it more possible to procreate a shape shifter! (after all, this is just a theory put forward in the book, not an actual fact). Why? Would Jacob really have imprinted on Renesme if that were the case? I personally don't believe so.The book is layered with so many tones of fate and destiny, that I just think that this is one of these layers, just a wolfie version!

As for the issue of people having their choices taken away from them, I don't really think it applies. All the imprinters and imprintee's seem blissfully happy with their individual circumstances. Jacob does tend to have the opinion that it is a choice taken away, but this is before he experiences it and while he is still very much in love with Bella.

My biggest problem with Jacob imprinting on Renesmee is the fact that he becomes more like the father figure to her instead of Edward. I could be misunderstanding Jacob's role in her life, but I felt like Edward was not as close to his daughter as he should be - that Jacob sort of assumed that role.

I have to disagree with you there, I don't think Jacob assumes the father role, he is more like a very over protective brother. Edward's role of being her father is demonstrated on several occasions.

These events are necessary to the plot so they are the ones we get to see, but there's every reason to believe that Edward spends time with his daughter, we just don't see it. Jake's role would be similar to the relationship Quil has with Claire, I'd say.

I agree with Tornado here, for example: Renesme plays back a scene for Bella, of her listening to Edward play her lullaby to her. She liked it so much that she played it for Bella twice. It's more than possible that way more of that went on. Plus, at first, she had more memories of Jacob because Edward was making sure her mother was o.k.

[suzzeeQ]

As for the issue of people having their choices taken away from them, I don't really think it applies. All the imprinters and imprintee's seem blissfully happy with their individual circumstances.

Just because they're happy doesn't mean they didn't have their choices removed. I think it's worse that they're blissfully happy because they will never consider another option.

[Tornado]

But do they need another option? If they imprint on the person who is best for them why waste time on another relationship?

[thebookworm]

But do they need another option? If they imprint on the person who is best for them why waste time on another relationship?

That was the point I was trying to make, but maybe it got a little lost in my post. I know a few of my friends who would love to be able to imprint, save them having to date a load of guys that, putting it politely, are not right for them!