by inhiding » Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:07 pm
1. The chapter is called “Promised”, why? What is the significance?
At first, I thought this just had to do with Jacob imprinting- you know, that he was "promised" to Renesmee. But then I went back and reread the chapter, because that just didn't feel right to me. I thought it was interesting that a few times in this chapter, the "promise" they refer to is that Edward promised not to tell Bella. That he would make such a promise to Jacob, and keep something from Bella, infers a sort of shift in the dynamics between Edward and Jacob. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but this seems like a pivotal point between all of them.
2. How did you feel about the family’s reaction to Bella’s first hunting trip and her actions towards Renesmee? Where they valid? Did Edward deserve the chastisement? Again, I don't understand how the family forgets that they themselves practiced restraint as newborns. Rosalie tells Bella that she has never spilled human blood, Carlisle realized what he was and denied his nature and chose to feed on animals almost immediately. Surely Edward and Esme followed Carlisle's ways as a newborn. Maybe Emmett messed up a few times, and certainly Jasper had. I can't be 100% sure of Alice as a newborn, except that Edward- at some point in the series- says that because of her foresight, she was able to control herself and could have been completely feral if she hadn't known of Carlisle's coven. But it seems to me like the family should just know better. The one consideration I hadn't thought of was expressed when Esme says "We should have gone with you" which was that since Bella was stronger than Edward, she could have overtaken him if she had hunted the humans and he had stood in her way.
The way the family is so scared of how she reacts with Renessmee REALLY got on my nerves. For goodness sakes, that's her daughter, her own flesh and blood! I can understand being protective, but it was really frustrating. (very well written, thank you Stephenie!)
3. How do you feel about Jacob’s behavior with Bella’s first meeting with Renesmee? Was it justified? Or do you feel that Jacob was overreacting? I see so many parallels between Jacob and Edward right here. Yes, Jacob was really overdoing it to keep Renessmee safe. Remind you of anyone? Add to the fact that it's within his nature to protect his family/tribe from the neighborhood vampires, and I imagine that instinct was kicked up a notch (or 10) when he imprinted. I think it was absolutely justified from his own perspective, I don't think he could have done anything any differently.
4. Now that you have finally met her, what do you think of Renesmee? Are you surprised she is gifted? What do you think of her gift and other special abilities? Creepy baby. I was surprised that she would be gifted, and it makes you think about whether or not certain "gifts" or special abilities are passed down from the parents. I love how- I think it's described later- Bella hides her surprise with a sweet smile at her daughter, but really thinking in the back of her mind- OMG!
5. Do you think Bella was wrong in her reaction to Jacob’s news regarding his relationship with Renesmee? Did you appreciate that Jacob didn’t tell Bella what the situation was, that she had to figure it out?
I honestly don't think Bella was necessarily mad about Jacob's relationship with Jacob, except that it meant he was already closer to Renesmee than she was. Fortunately, she understands that it doesn't mean he wants a good snoggin' with an infant- just that he's there to protect her, love her, just as naturally -er, surpernaturally- as the rest of them. I think that Jacob knows Bella well enough to be afraid to outright blurt it out. I think he was trying to wait for the right time, but again, his protective instinct was just ratched up and he couldn't help himself. But, back to Bella, it's SO FRUSTRATING that this baby- who she has been fighting for all this time, loving so deeply since that first moment of realization- is there within reach but everyone is holding them both apart. And then, as she said, to think that he has some sort of claim on her already... well, I think that's what pushed her.
6. We are left knowing that Bella attacks Jacob. Is she justified in her actions or is she overreacting? If you were in Bella’s shoes, what would you have done?
You know, she was just expressing her anger and holding her own rather well, until he said that stupid nickname. Bella knows, too, that Jacob would heal easily... I'm just sayin'....