Ext English Ass. 2 Twilight
The 2008 film Twilight is based on the book with the same title by Stephanie Meyer, published in 2007. The Twilight book series saw the early beginnings of the reimagination of the classic vampire to one of charm and suaveness. The original text was written in the 2000s which saw the popularisation of many young adult (YA) fiction novels. These stories feature coming-of-age themes and allow young audiences to relate to characters in a high school setting and trying to work through personal problems. Twilight is one of the many YA novels to have been produced inspired by the idea of bildungsroman stories through high school drama but with added elements of vampirism for heightened effect. The dramatisation of the novel has had major success throughout the world which has come to love the forbidden love story between Bella and Edward. Twilight saw the popularisation of the vampire and the reimagining of Stoker’s Dracula (1897). Through bringing the vampire into a modern setting it allows audiences into reading about the traditional vampire, but in more contemporary lights.
The gothic ‘other’ of social class in Twilight can be supported through the following aspects of the film.
Dwellings
The differences between living situations clearly demonstrate the difference in social class. In the film, the audience first sees Bella’s father, Charlie’s house which is a small, wooden house with very little room. It is quite dark in the house which doesn’t provide the audience with a lot to see. Bella’s room is cluttered with very little personal objects inside demonstrating her disconnection to her father and reinforcing her recent arrival. The contrast between their house and the Cullen’s’ is stark. The Cullen’s’ have a very grand, luxurious house which is modern with lots of light and glass. Their house is hidden in the middle of the woods which is ironic as Bella’s house is run-down but very visible. The variance between the houses shows the social classes through their living space.
Edward’s House Bella’s House
Careers
The contrast between the patriarchs careers also indicates their different social standings. Charlie Swan works as the town Sheriff where his office is only seen in the dark and contains the bare minimum for what is required for a police officer. However, Carlisle Cullen works as a well-paid doctor for the hospital which is seen in high key lighting, both visually and because of the circumstances of saving Bella’s life. The comparison between the two prominent working Dads’ careers illustrate how the social classes are evident within the film. The binary opposites contrast in the film as the Cullen’s’ are seen lighter whereas Charlie is seen in darker situations enhancing the nature of the gothic ‘other’ and challenging our preconceived notions of good and evil.
Charlie’s Police Station
Transportation
The transport used by the two major families in the film also signifies the social standings. Bella is give...
