How we cite our quotes: (Chapter. Paragraph)
Quote #21
[Bella:] "Wait, Mom!" I interrupted. Edward still had his eyes closed, but he looked too tense to pass as asleep. "What are you talking about? I'm not going to Florida. I live in Forks." […]
[Bella:] "Mom." I hesitated, wondering how best to be diplomatic about this. "I want to live in Forks. I'm already settled in at school, and I have a couple of girlfriends" – she glanced toward Edward again when I remaindered her of friends, so I tried another direction – "and Charlie needs me. He's just all alone up there, and he can't cook at all." (24.104, 106)
Instead of wanting to live with her mother, Bella now prefers to live in Forks. This probably has more to do with Edward than it does with Charlie. Is Bella placing her romantic relationship above her family?
Quote #22
[Renée:] "I think that boy is in love with you," she accused, keeping her voice low.
[Bella:] "I think so, too," I confided.
[Renée:] "And how do you feel about him?" She only poorly concealed the raging curiosity in her voice.
I sighed, looked away. As much as I loved my mom, this was not a conversation I wanted to have with her. "I'm pretty crazy about him." There – that sounded like something a teenager with her first boyfriend might say. (24.118-121)
Though Edward is open with his family about the seriousness of his relationship with Bella, she is not so open with her family. Why is that? Does Bella think she's protecting her family by keeping her relationship a secret? Or protecting the Cullens? Or does she simply feel uncomfortable revealing so much about her private life?
Quote #23
[Edward to Bella:] He looked down while he answered. "I'm surprised. I thought Florida…and your mother…well, I thought that's what you would want." (24.152)
Edward is pleasantly surprised that Bella calls Forks her home. More and more, Edward rather than Renée seems to signify Bella's home.
Quote #24
[Bella to Edward:] "Look, that's not an issue either," I finally muttered; my voice was unconvincing as always when I lied. "Renée has always made the choices that work for her – she'd want me to do the same. And Charlie's resilient, he's used to being on his own. I can't take care of them forever. I have my own life to live." (24.217)
Bella is attempting to convince Edward to turn her into a vampire. She seems to be placing her relationship with Edward above her family. Has she thought this decision through? Can she continue to be a part of her family if she becomes a vampire? Or is she willing to give up her family entirely and join the Cullens?
Quote #25
[Bella:] "Do you want me to bolt the doors so you can massacre the unsuspecting townsfolk?" I whispered conspiratorially.
[Edward:] "And where do you fit into that scheme?" He glared.
[Bella:] "Oh, I'm with the vampires, of course." (Epilogue.35-37)
Bella is coming to feel that she fits in with the vampires. Do you think that she feels more of a sense of family with them than with Charlie or Renée? Can she continue to live in both worlds?