There really is something about Carlisle
Oct. 1st, 2008 07:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kippurbirdChapter sixteen: Carlisle
This is one of those chapters that I think could have been cut. It's a background of Carlisle on how he became a vegetarian vampire. I'm sure it's very interesting, but it'd work better if the book was about Carlisle and not about Bella and Edward. Or Bella. Hrm... I'm not too sure which. In any case, it does nothing to move the story forward. It just seems like Meyers wanted to put in Carlisle's history because she thought it was neat. And no one told her not to. It acts as padding. And not very good padding. Because really, at this point, I want something to happen. But Carlisle's story brings the action, such as it is, to a dead halt.
So. Carlisle's story, as told by Edward.
We last left off with Carlisle having been bitten and hiding under potato peels in horror as to what he's become. He kinda turns into an angsty emo boy, trying to kill himself.
Well. Let's see here though. Carlisle was a vampire hunter. He knew a vampire's weaknesses. Not only that he knew where a bunch of vampire hunters were. If he really wanted to kill himself because he was so horrified, he would have gone and found them. As opposed to... jumping off bridges and trying to drown himself. It indicates to me, at least, that he didn't want to kill himself. Because suicidal people usually find a way to do it, that actually works.
Bella is amazed at Carlisle's determination to not become a monster. Meanwhile Carlisle's determination not to eat anyone takes him far from human habitation, as he's starves. Then he runs into a herd of deer and eats one. GASP they help him be alive like! You know, I'm sure there were plenty of farms around then. He could have run into a cow and done the same thing.
Actually, now that I think about it, they should have become farmers. Or ranchers. They could raise cattle and other farm animals, thus giving them a steady food source. And they wouldn't have to worry about coming into contact with humans who'd notice their sparkles.
Of course, if they did that, then Edward couldn't have met Bella. And then there would be no book.
Tell me again why this is a bad thing?
Anyway, moving on. Carlisle found a new lease on un-life and realized he could un-live while not eating people. So, instead of focusing on becoming insanely rich, because he's just that good and wonderful, he studies to improve his mind. And then he swims to France to learn more.
Swimming to France surprises Bella. Edward reminds her that they don't really need to breath. (Because, you know, they're dead.) Bella is AMAZED at this. Edward is sad that she's not scared. He keeps on wondering when he's going to say something that'll scare her away. Almost like he wants it to happen. Actually he does want it to happen... so she'll be safe, so he says. But then he says that he also is glade she's not frightened away.
So, we still get our lovely mix messages.
Our story moves on with Carlisle in France. He studies in the universities at night. Music, science, medicine. No one found it odd that he only showed up at night. And I don't think there were night classes at the time, as the light bulb hadn't been invented yet. He decided as penance for being a monster that's never eaten a human that he'd try and save human lives by becoming a doctor. A thought, however, why then did he change Edward? Wasn't that cursing him just like Carlisle was cursed?
In Italy, Carlisle ran into like minded vampires. Well, like-minded in that they were also patrons of the arts etc. They wanted him to drink human blood, he wanted them to not drink it. I'm not to sure why Carlisle has been so special that he was able to abhor what he'd become enough not to drink human blood. Why were the others able to throw off their human morality and enjoy themselves while Carlisle became Angel? There is no reason given for why a vampire turns "evil". The only reason why Carlisle didn't become "evil" is because he didn't want to drink human blood. But why would anyone else who was turned want to drink human blood? Surely they would feel the same way about their neighbors and children etc. There didn't appear to be a "switch" like in Buffy that made them evil.
Why would good Christian vampires suddenly want to become people eaters?
A thought.
Eventually Carlisle went to the New World and wandered around. He started thinking about making himself a companion because he was lonely. Reasonable, I suppose. Except that Edward was his companion. Not a woman. But a young late teen boy. Nothing at all homoerotic in that. Nothing. And Edward's been with him ever since.
After this random interlude Edward takes Bella up to his room. Edward has a lot of CDs. An entire wall of them, plus a leather couch, a huge sound system and a great view. So, I'm thinking love nest. You?
Bella wants to know how his CDs are organized. Notice there don't appear to be any books around. Just the CDs and the AWESOME stereo system. She then tells Edward that she doesn't find him scary at all.
So, Edward tackles her onto the couch.
She still doesn't find him scary.
But Jasper and Alice show up. They want to know if Edward wants to play a game of what I think is Baseball because there's a thunder storm showing up.
This is next chapter.
This is one of those chapters that I think could have been cut. It's a background of Carlisle on how he became a vegetarian vampire. I'm sure it's very interesting, but it'd work better if the book was about Carlisle and not about Bella and Edward. Or Bella. Hrm... I'm not too sure which. In any case, it does nothing to move the story forward. It just seems like Meyers wanted to put in Carlisle's history because she thought it was neat. And no one told her not to. It acts as padding. And not very good padding. Because really, at this point, I want something to happen. But Carlisle's story brings the action, such as it is, to a dead halt.
So. Carlisle's story, as told by Edward.
We last left off with Carlisle having been bitten and hiding under potato peels in horror as to what he's become. He kinda turns into an angsty emo boy, trying to kill himself.
"When he knew what he had become," Edward said quietly, "he rebelled against it. He tried to destroy himself. But that's not easily done."
"How?" I didn't mean to say it aloud, but the word broke through my shock.
"He jumped from great heights," Edward told me, his voice impassive. "He tried to drown himself in the ocean… but he was young to the new life, and very strong. It is amazing that he was able to resist… feeding… while he was still so new. The instinct is more powerful then, it takes over
everything. But he was so repelled by himself that he had the strength to try to kill himself with starvation."
Well. Let's see here though. Carlisle was a vampire hunter. He knew a vampire's weaknesses. Not only that he knew where a bunch of vampire hunters were. If he really wanted to kill himself because he was so horrified, he would have gone and found them. As opposed to... jumping off bridges and trying to drown himself. It indicates to me, at least, that he didn't want to kill himself. Because suicidal people usually find a way to do it, that actually works.
Bella is amazed at Carlisle's determination to not become a monster. Meanwhile Carlisle's determination not to eat anyone takes him far from human habitation, as he's starves. Then he runs into a herd of deer and eats one. GASP they help him be alive like! You know, I'm sure there were plenty of farms around then. He could have run into a cow and done the same thing.
Actually, now that I think about it, they should have become farmers. Or ranchers. They could raise cattle and other farm animals, thus giving them a steady food source. And they wouldn't have to worry about coming into contact with humans who'd notice their sparkles.
Of course, if they did that, then Edward couldn't have met Bella. And then there would be no book.
Tell me again why this is a bad thing?
Anyway, moving on. Carlisle found a new lease on un-life and realized he could un-live while not eating people. So, instead of focusing on becoming insanely rich, because he's just that good and wonderful, he studies to improve his mind. And then he swims to France to learn more.
Swimming to France surprises Bella. Edward reminds her that they don't really need to breath. (Because, you know, they're dead.) Bella is AMAZED at this. Edward is sad that she's not scared. He keeps on wondering when he's going to say something that'll scare her away. Almost like he wants it to happen. Actually he does want it to happen... so she'll be safe, so he says. But then he says that he also is glade she's not frightened away.
So, we still get our lovely mix messages.
Our story moves on with Carlisle in France. He studies in the universities at night. Music, science, medicine. No one found it odd that he only showed up at night. And I don't think there were night classes at the time, as the light bulb hadn't been invented yet. He decided as penance for being a monster that's never eaten a human that he'd try and save human lives by becoming a doctor. A thought, however, why then did he change Edward? Wasn't that cursing him just like Carlisle was cursed?
In Italy, Carlisle ran into like minded vampires. Well, like-minded in that they were also patrons of the arts etc. They wanted him to drink human blood, he wanted them to not drink it. I'm not to sure why Carlisle has been so special that he was able to abhor what he'd become enough not to drink human blood. Why were the others able to throw off their human morality and enjoy themselves while Carlisle became Angel? There is no reason given for why a vampire turns "evil". The only reason why Carlisle didn't become "evil" is because he didn't want to drink human blood. But why would anyone else who was turned want to drink human blood? Surely they would feel the same way about their neighbors and children etc. There didn't appear to be a "switch" like in Buffy that made them evil.
Why would good Christian vampires suddenly want to become people eaters?
A thought.
Eventually Carlisle went to the New World and wandered around. He started thinking about making himself a companion because he was lonely. Reasonable, I suppose. Except that Edward was his companion. Not a woman. But a young late teen boy. Nothing at all homoerotic in that. Nothing. And Edward's been with him ever since.
After this random interlude Edward takes Bella up to his room. Edward has a lot of CDs. An entire wall of them, plus a leather couch, a huge sound system and a great view. So, I'm thinking love nest. You?
Bella wants to know how his CDs are organized. Notice there don't appear to be any books around. Just the CDs and the AWESOME stereo system. She then tells Edward that she doesn't find him scary at all.
So, Edward tackles her onto the couch.
She still doesn't find him scary.
But Jasper and Alice show up. They want to know if Edward wants to play a game of what I think is Baseball because there's a thunder storm showing up.
This is next chapter.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2008-10-02 11:10 am (UTC)It always bothers me when I find something that invalidates the entire book. I mean, the occasional plothole I can handle, because nobody's perfect, but...this is just ridiculous.
A thought, however, why then did he change Edward? Wasn't that cursing him just like Carlisle was cursed?
That always bugged the hell out of me. They never give a satisfactory explanation for it either. That whole bit about his mum was sweet, but it doesn't really work when you consider Carisle's previously established personality. It's like he suddenly revised his opinion of vampires overnight.
Why would good Christian vampires suddenly want to become people eaters?
Because everyone else is a sinner, and Carisle is Jesus. His family are his followers. Go on, I dare you to disprove it! =D
no subject
Date: 2008-10-02 04:14 pm (UTC)Isn't it? It bothers the hell out of me too.
That always bugged the hell out of me. They never give a satisfactory explanation for it either. That whole bit about his mum was sweet, but it doesn't really work when you consider Carisle's previously established personality. It's like he suddenly revised his opinion of vampires overnight.
Sure he's lonely, so why couldn't he find someone who's human (like Edward has) to keep him company? Obviously there must be some people out there who are stupid enough to not be afraid of vampires.
Because everyone else is a sinner, and Carisle is Jesus. His family are his followers. Go on, I dare you to disprove it! =D
...
no subject
Date: 2008-10-02 03:53 pm (UTC)…I know there's someone who would have undoubtedly already done it better, though.
Carlisle was a vampire hunter. He knew a vampire's weaknesses. Not only that he knew where a bunch of vampire hunters were. If he really wanted to kill himself because he was so horrified, he would have gone and found them.
… Dear Meyer,
A brain. Find yourself one.
How do the vampire hunters kill the vampires, by the way, or does it not say?
So, instead of focusing on becoming insanely rich, because he's just that good and wonderful, he studies to improve his mind.
Really? How accessible was education at the time? Has he updated his education since?
Why would good Christian vampires suddenly want to become people eaters?
The lions have more fun? *shrug*
*sings* It was a one eyed one horned flying purple people eater~
He started thinking about making himself a companion because he was lonely. Reasonable, I suppose. Except that Edward was his companion. Not a woman. But a young late teen boy. Nothing at all homoerotic in that. Nothing.
Except I think of Greece, and then I start cackling.
Notice there don't appear to be any books around. Just the CDs and the AWESOME stereo system.
Because when you're immortal, the hip thing to do is to be up with the latest technology (as opposed to sticking with the technology around when you were born, thankyouverymuch *waves stick at the kids on the lawn*).
So, Edward tackles her onto the couch.
She still doesn't find him scary.
Or… even the slightest bit worrisome? Good grief.
Baseball! *snickers* But… in a thunderstorm? Seriously? Isn't that kind of dangerous?
no subject
Date: 2008-10-02 06:36 pm (UTC)…I know there's someone who would have undoubtedly already done it better, though.
See, all I do is look at the information given to me and come up with the most logical and reasonable answer. Which doesn't always match up with what is written. Sad, isn't it?
How do the vampire hunters kill the vampires, by the way, or does it not say?
Nuuuupe. Doesn't say. It looked like fire or something. It kinda reminded me of the whole Nanny Ogg mob.
Because when you're immortal, the hip thing to do is to be up with the latest technology (as opposed to sticking with the technology around when you were born, thankyouverymuch *waves stick at the kids on the lawn*).
I think I was trying to say more that, well, if he's so big on books and classics or even modern stuff, why doesn't he have any? He's supposed to be well read, after all.
Baseball! *snickers* But… in a thunderstorm? Seriously? Isn't that kind of dangerous?
My guess is that they hit the balls so hard it makes loud thundering cracks.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-03 01:27 am (UTC)But aside from the books, why no computer? Oh, right. Whatever time period she was a teenager in didn't have them everywhere... c_c
no subject
Date: 2008-10-03 08:17 am (UTC)It is weird, though. The nice thing about books is that they're there to touch, and audio books… sometimes, they're kind of… off. 'Sides, you could fall asleep while one was playing, and get mixed up.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-03 11:38 pm (UTC)And yeah... how come she has CDs but no technology beyond that? Cassettes or even records would be a bit more logical if you're from an older time period. XD
no subject
Date: 2008-10-02 06:32 pm (UTC)Well, what comes to my mind are the discussions I've had with deeply religious people who believe it is impossible to be moral without God - the people who, without any apparent horror at what they're saying, claim that they would become murdering, raping, baby eating monsters if God didn't exist. A thoughtful writer might have used that attitude to explain the other vampires.
Of course, a thoughtful writer wouldn't have only one "family" of vampires who resisted eating people...and who hid in a small town...and... *sigh*
no subject
Date: 2008-10-02 07:05 pm (UTC)But why would God stop existing for them once they change into a vampire? And those people scare me.
Of course, a thoughtful writer wouldn't have only one "family" of vampires who resisted eating people...and who hid in a small town...and... *sigh*
*patspats*
no subject
Date: 2008-10-02 06:40 pm (UTC)Not to toot my own horn, but I do tackle this in my story. I have a character who was vegan before he became a vampire. He honestly agonizes over the fact that he must live off of blood.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-02 07:06 pm (UTC)It's their "in joke" about how they consider animals to be the vegetables of vampire food. Admittedly there could be a better word for it.
Not to toot my own horn, but I do tackle this in my story. I have a character who was vegan before he became a vampire. He honestly agonizes over the fact that he must live off of blood.
And that's intelligent and interesting.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-02 06:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-02 07:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-02 09:30 pm (UTC)Once again, Meyer fails at
liferesearch.Anyway, I enjoy Carlisle as a character because, unlike the rest of the Cullens, he's actually doing something constructive with his immortal life instead of taking high school Biology over and over and over for no good reason.
But a vampire hunter should have known that all one needs to do to kill a vampire is to torch them. Meyerpires are very flammable. If he really wanted to commit suicide all he'd need to do was light himself on fire or jump into a volcano or something. Vwoosh!
no subject
Date: 2008-10-03 05:03 pm (UTC)Anyway, I enjoy Carlisle as a character because, unlike the rest of the Cullens, he's actually doing something constructive with his immortal life instead of taking high school Biology over and over and over for no good reason.
Phooey! There's a very good reason for Edward taking High School biology over and over. How else was he supposed to meet Bella? XD
I think Carlisle was a very stupid vampire hunter.
no subject
Date: 2008-10-04 06:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-03 12:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-03 05:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-10-03 01:33 am (UTC)The more I hear about this book, the more irate I become over how popular they are.
I'm also eager to see when you start Brisingr too. I bet that's a doozy as well. XD
*also pets adopted dragonses*
no subject
Date: 2008-10-03 05:12 pm (UTC)I'm also eager to see when you start Brisingr too. I bet that's a doozy as well. XD
From what I've heard? Yes.
*has yet to name the poor two headed dragon. Feels guilty. >.> *
no subject
Date: 2008-10-03 11:41 pm (UTC)And I rarely name my dragons before I know their gender... I keep coming up with gender-specific names. Although, I haven't named any of my pink ones because I'm only keeping one (maybe two) of them and I'm not sure which one that is yet.
... You wanna pink hatchling that's almost an adult and filled with beautiful viewage? ^_^