Start Date
26-3-2024 3:55 PM
End Date
26-3-2024 4:20 PM
Location
Museum Education Room
Name of Faculty Mentor
Dr. Jennifer Flaherty
Abstract
The way romance movies depict the dynamics of power in romantic relationships influences how young girls understand and shape their own romantic relationships. Within the films of Pride & Prejudice (2005) and Twilight (2009), audiences can see an example of a healthy dynamic and a toxic dynamic. Where Elizabeth and Darcy both have control over their relationship, Edward dominates the entire relationship between him and Bella. We see this clearest within the “letter scene” of Pride & Prejudice in which Darcy confesses that he has helped the Bennet family for Elizabeth and the scene in Twilight in which Edward saves Bella’s life by sucking the vampire venom out of her wrist. Both scenes are the coveted climax of the plotlines and solidifies the relationship dynamics- Elizabeth and Darcy as equals and Bella as the victim with Edward as the savior.
The issue, however, with these depictions is that for younger girls it may be hard to make this distinction between healthy and toxic. This argument is not to say that young girls should not watch Twilight, but to emphasize the importance of having examples of relationship dynamics that are equal such as Pride & Prejudice. This discussion moves to tell young girls that they should not only have even power in their relationships but also that the only person who is in control of their love life is them- not glittery fanged vampires or brooding wealthy men with good fortunes.
Fangs and Good Fortunes: Lessons of Love in Pride & Prejudice (2005) and Twilight (2009)
Museum Education Room
The way romance movies depict the dynamics of power in romantic relationships influences how young girls understand and shape their own romantic relationships. Within the films of Pride & Prejudice (2005) and Twilight (2009), audiences can see an example of a healthy dynamic and a toxic dynamic. Where Elizabeth and Darcy both have control over their relationship, Edward dominates the entire relationship between him and Bella. We see this clearest within the “letter scene” of Pride & Prejudice in which Darcy confesses that he has helped the Bennet family for Elizabeth and the scene in Twilight in which Edward saves Bella’s life by sucking the vampire venom out of her wrist. Both scenes are the coveted climax of the plotlines and solidifies the relationship dynamics- Elizabeth and Darcy as equals and Bella as the victim with Edward as the savior.
The issue, however, with these depictions is that for younger girls it may be hard to make this distinction between healthy and toxic. This argument is not to say that young girls should not watch Twilight, but to emphasize the importance of having examples of relationship dynamics that are equal such as Pride & Prejudice. This discussion moves to tell young girls that they should not only have even power in their relationships but also that the only person who is in control of their love life is them- not glittery fanged vampires or brooding wealthy men with good fortunes.