Abstract :
It is presumed that readers of Stephenie Meyer’s ‘Twilight’ enjoy the
sexual tension between Bella and Edward; a tension that remains unresolved until
the couple are married. This very traditional solution to the couple’s carnal
desires is just one of many ways in which the novels adhere to the conventions
of romance writing for young people. Readers know what to expect and their
expectations are satisfied. Fans, however, claim that Meyer’s books offer them
something that other texts do not. By comparing the ‘Twilight’ series with the
conventions for adult romances, teen romances and children’s literature more
generally, I demonstrate that Meyer is combining conventions from related, but
slightly different, genres. The result valorises certain beliefs which run counter to
both those promoted by conservative Christian activists and those endorsed by
the liberal, feminist left.
