This has indeed become an interesting discussion. I am afraid that some of it might be going over my head though, so correct me if I understand anything wrong.
Knives wrote:Indeed, Ms. Meyer is pretty thoroughly on record as stating that imprinting is a genetic urge aimed at procreation.
I did not know that actually. Do you know where you heard, read or seen that? I’ve only been a fan for little over half a year now (don’t know which rock I’ve been living under before) and there is probably a lot of stuff that I haven’t seen yet.
Where you referring to the conversation between Leah and Jacob in BD? I’ve always thought of that as pure speculation on Leah’s part. Jacob says that they don’t know why they imprint, they just have their theories. Leah is bitter about her femininity problems, the fact that she hasn’t imprinted and her heartbreak over Sam so she tends to believe in the genetics theory. However, she is the first female werewolf so they have no way of knowing that she is a ‘genetic dead end’. She has only been a wolf for half a year at the end of BD so who is to say that she will never imprint?
There are other wolfs in the pack that haven’t imprinted and considering it was always seen as a rare phenomenon, it is safe to say that some wolfs never imprint. Going by the theory that imprinting is a genetic urge aimed at procreation and that it happens to ensure the best chances to pas on the wolf-gene aren’t all wolves destined to imprint? Imprinting would actually be very inefficient in passing on the gene. Basic evolution tells us that the best way for a species to survive is to create as much offspring as possible. (For example, look at panda’s who have very difficult reproduction and are nearly extinct. Or have you ever wondered why humans like ‘procreation’ so much?) If the werewolf species were to survive the best way possible, they shouldn’t imprint at all or imprint on multiple people.
Knives wrote: we've seen in the series how conformity with the imprint is a cultural expectation, but such peer pressure is far from right.
corona wrote:A lack of clarity leads to making assumptions, which lead to potential misinterpretations…the additional evidence that all known adult imprints lead to romantic relationships.
I think the expectations of both the Quileute’s and the readers are part of the problem here, while not nearly enough is known about the nature of imprinting. All we have are suggestions, theories and assumptions. As far as I remember Quil was the first ever to imprint on a child and we don’t know what their relationship will be, just as much as the Quileute’s don’t know what will happen. Since all adult imprints naturally developed in a romantic relationship, the Quileute’s (and the readers) always assumed they end up together. However, if Quil and Clair (as well as Jacob and Renesmee) start their relationship as feeling like siblings it will not develop in a romance as long as they don’t want that, as corona and I wrote before. And while I also agree that peer pressure is very wrong, I don’t think they will be forced to be romantic towards each other if they feel like brother and sister.
Openhome wrote:And Knives, I believe that..
wait for it...
you are right in that SM didn't think the process through clearly. I believe she tried to find a reason for an unreasonable happy ending for characters that didn't deserve one yet. While imprinting could have given us that, it did so too quickly in the timeline. It was a bad plot choice, nice idea, but bad plot choice.
I second that statement. This is basically my problem with BD, not the imprinting itself. Don’t get me wrong, I love the basic plot and (as you probably know by now) I have nothing against imprinting. It is just that BD is not my favorite book because I felt it was rushed. The storytelling went way faster than especially Twilight and New Moon, while I actually expected it to slow down because of Bella’s new super-human vampire thinking abilities. But I guess that is something for another topic...
One last comment: I’m really enjoying this discussion as well as your comments and opinions, but I want to tell you upfront that I will very stubbornly hold on to my believe that imprinting is a good thing, for my own reading pleasure. Hope you don’t mind