How we cite our quotes: (Chapter. Paragraph)
Quote #1
[Bella to Edward:] "I decided it didn't matter." I whispered. (9.73)
True love means not caring if your boyfriend is a vampire. At this point, though, do you think Bella understands the full implications of Edward being a vampire?
Quote #2
[Edward:] "It didn't matter?" His tone made me look up – I had finally broken through his carefully composed mask. His face was incredulous, with just a hint of the anger I'd feared.
[Bella:] "No," I said softly. "It doesn't matter me what you are."
[Edward:] A hard, mocking edge entered his voice. "You don't care if I'm a monster? If I'm not human?" (9.74-76)
Edward cannot believe Bella doesn't care that he is a vampire. Because she loves him, she doesn't consider him a monster.
Quote #3
About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him – and I didn't know how potent that part might be-that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him. (9.236)
For Bella, there is no turning back now. Her relationship with Edward has developed quite quickly – do you agree with Bella that it is truly love she feels, or is it just infatuation?
Quote #4
[Edward to Bella:] "Hadn't you noticed? I'm breaking all the rules now." (10.28)
What are the rules that Edward is breaking? Well, he's going against the rules of nature by falling in love with a creature that should be his prey. He may also be breaking family rules by revealing his true self to Bella, tempting himself by getting close to a human, and risking the exposure of the whole Cullen family.
Quote #5
[Bella to Jessica:] "Too much," I whispered back. " More than he likes me. But I don't see how I can help that." (10.109)
Bella tells Jessica she likes Edward more than he likes her – she's still unsure of how much Edward cares for her. And by saying that she likes Edward "too much," she's acknowledging to herself that her interest in him may lead to danger.
Quote #6
[Edward to Bella :] "Do you truly believe that you care more for me than I do for you?" he murmured, learning closer to me as he spoke, his dark golden eyes piercing. (10.152)
Edward counters Bella's belief that she likes him more than he likes her. Do you think that they care for each other equally?
Quote #7
[Edward to Bella:] "So you're worried about the trouble it might cause me – if you don't come home?" His voice was still angry, and bitingly sarcastic. (12.225)
Bella risks her own safety to continue her relationship with Edward. Instead of thinking of her own well-being, she's worried about making sure Edward doesn't get in trouble if their relationship "ends badly."
Quote #8
[Edward to Bella:] "Isabella." He pronounced my full name carefully, then playfully ruffled my hair with his free hand. A shock ran through my body at his casual touch. "Bella, I couldn't live with myself if I ever hurt you. You don't know how it's tortured me." He looked down, ashamed again. "The thought of you, still, white, cold…to never see you blush scarlet again, to never see that flash of intuition in your eyes when you were though my pretenses...it would be unendurable." He lifted his glorious, agonized eyes to mine. "You are the most important thing to me now. The most important thing to me ever." (13.125)
Here Edward declares his love. He's just told Bella about how conflicted he feels – how he does thirst for her blood as well as for her company. But here he seems to be making a vow never to hurt her, and never to let his vampire instincts get out of control. When he uses Bella's full given name, we know he's serious.
Quote #9
[Edward to Bella:] "Isn't it supposed to be like this?" He smiled. "The glory of first love, and all that. It's incredible, isn't it, the difference between reading about something, seeing it in pictures, and experiencing it?" (14.194)
Like Bella, Edward is experiencing first love. The intensity of his emotions seems to humanize him.
Quote #10
[Edward to Bella:] "And then," he whispered, "as you were sleeping you said my name." (14.199-200)
Bella thinks of Edward even in her sleep. He seems to believe more deeply that she cares for him knowing that he's constantly in her subconscious thoughts.
Quote #11
[Edward to Bella:] "I won't leave you." His voice has the seal of a promise in it. (14.263)
Do you believe Edward will keep this promise? In Chapter Twenty-Four, he seems to be reconsidering, saying that he'll stay with Bella as long as it's what's best for her.
Quote #12
[Edward to Bella:] His gold eyes grew very soft. "You said you loved me." (15.25)
Bella is still somewhat hesitant to communicate her emotions, but she does love Edward – she says so in her sleep.
Quote #13
[Edward to Bella:] "You are my life now," he answered simply. (15.30)
This is about as strong a statement one can make about love.
Quote #14
[Bella:] "Will you be?" I asked, suddenly anxious. "Will you really be here?"
[Edward:] "As long as you want me," he assured me.
[Bella:] "I'll always want you," I warned him. "Forever." (15.80-82)
Bella hopes Edward stays with her forever. This sets up their conflict about immortality. Bella knows that the only way she can be with Edward is to become a vampire, but he wants her to remain human.
Quote #15
[Edward to Bella:] "Having you know about everything, not needing to keep secrets from you. But I didn't expect to feel more than that. I like it. It makes me…happy." (16.95)
Edward is excited that he can share everything with Bella. He doesn't have to hide his sparkling skin, his speed, or anything else from her. But would you agree that he doesn't keep any secrets from her?
Quote #16
[Bella to Edward:] "I love you," I said in a low, intense voice. "I will always love you, no matter what happens now." (19.10)
Worried that she might be killed by James, Bella declares her love to Edward. She never used to be so open with her feelings.
Quote #17
[Edward to Bella:] "Bella, don't you dare waste time worrying about me. Your only concern is keeping yourself safe and – please, please – trying not to be reckless." (19.92)
Edward is concerned that James will hurt Bella, and he has a hard time letting her leave his sight.
Quote #18
But Edward was at my side at once. He caught me up in his iron grip, crushing me to him. He seemed unaware of his watching family as he pulled my face to his, lifting my feet off the floor. For the shortest second, his lips were icy and hard against mine. Then it was over. He set me down, still holding my face, his glorious eyes burning into mine. (19.147)
Edward says goodbye before Bella flees Forks.
Quote #19
[Bella:] "Come and get it, then," I challenged.
[Edward:] "Soon, as soon as I possibly can. I will make you safe first." His voice was hard.
[Bella:] "I love you," I reminded him.
[Edward:] "Could you believe that, despite everything I've put you through, I love you, too?" (20.139-143)
From this conversation we can tell that Edward continues to feel conflicted about his relationship with Bella. He believes that his involvement with her puts her in danger, and therefore thinks that he may not be acting in a loving manner by continuing his relationship with her. This concern comes out more powerfully in Chapter Twenty-Four when Bella is in the hospital.