The meaning of mortality plays a central role in New Moon. Bella would gladly sacrifice her mortality to live with Edward as an immortal vampire, happily forever after. She can’t stand the thought of aging while Edward forever stays seventeen. Edward, on the other hand, seeks to protect Bella’s mortality, because he wants her to experience a normal human life, and then death. He believes that vampires are soulless creatures with no chance for redemption or an afterlife. Carlisle, on the other hand, hopes that vampires can redeem themselves by overcoming their evil nature in favor of a selfless, loving life, and thus head to a happy afterlife.
Questions About Mortality
- Bella doesn’t understand why preserving her mortality is such a big deal for Edward. Do you believe Bella is fully aware of the consequences of trading her mortality for becoming a vampire?
- Edward thinks that, as a vampire, you lose your soul. Why does "having a soul" mean so much to him?
- If you were in Bella’s situation, would you trade your mortality to become a vampire? Why, or why not?
- When Bella jumps off the cliff, do you believe she just wants to jump, or that she had a subconscious death wish?