As a recent Twi-Hard (or newborn Twi-Hard, if you will) I was confused after watching Breaking Dawn pt. 1 when Jacob stated that he had “imprinted” on Renesmee. So as a new-age researcher, I took to my precious Google and typed in, “Twilight, Jacob, imprinting”. As with most search engines, a wave of sites popped up, many of which were on Wikipedia, which I bypassed. I ended up on a number of opinion sites where other Twi-Hards were discussing this imprinting issue. On the one hand, according to the book definition, imprinting is when one becomes so fascinating or intrigued by another that they become almost like a protector of that person. But according to the movie that I watched twice on Saturday, imprinting seemed to mean that one would imprint on another, make them “theirs”, a love interest, a future lover, a soulmate. The female werewolf (the one that Sam left for another, but her name escapes me) gave the impression that she just wanted to be loved/”imprinted” on by anyone. (The way she said anyone also implied that she wouldn’t mind having Jacob turn his attention her way, but then again who wouldln’t?!)
So after taking in both sides of this discussion, I have formed my opinion that this imprinting business (especially in the case of a newborn baby) is entirely inappropriate for the Twilight Breaking Dawn pt. 1. Not only does it seem like Jacob is now a creepy old man leering after this baby, but he also seems to be envisioning her as a grown woman, which would bring on a whole other set of feelings toward Renesmee. I do not like this turn of events: anything with older people fantasizing about kids and them growing up is very pedophile-ish and should not be tolerable in today’s media. As a sister who is very protective over her little sister, I am very cautious of people and media that portray this. It makes an eyebrow go up in a quizzical way.
As for the Breaking Dawn pt. 1 in general, it was less focused on the vampire-werewolf war (or lack thereof), and more on the love-making between Bella and Edward. It’s bad enough that Bella was throwing herself at Edward in Forks, but now they are in Brazil (luckies!!!) and she is still acting like the wanton teen-woman that she is. However, I am still looking forward to the final in this twisted Saga (which I hear is due out Nov. 16, 2012) as I am invested in the story. On a positive note, I did enjoy the graphics of Edward’s venom coursing through Bella’s veins, almost changing her blood to ice. To see her plump up back to life was very interesting and should make for a good opener to Breaking Dawn pt. 2. (I almost cried when Bella’s bones started to shatter before she gave birth, and again when she was holding little Renesmee.)
Please feel free to leave your comments or further explain this imprinting concept to me. Thanks for reading!
Y.F.Thompson 