"The motif of Midnight Sun is pomegranates. Edward draws a comparison between his and Bella Swan's plight and the story of Hades and Persephone, countering the biblical apple motif of the first Twilight book with the next most biblical fruit. If you think it's deployed gracefully, you thought wrong. Both Hades and Persephone's tale and the biblical implications are clumsily handled, lacking nuance. From the outset, it feels more like a forced parallel than a seamless thematic choice."
"I saw Persephone, pomegranate in hand. Dooming herself to the underworld" (p. 193). This line captures the essence of Bella's entrapment within Edward's world. The imagery is striking but ultimately feels clichéd, reducing profound mythology to mere symbolism that skirts true emotional depth. It's a striking example of how Meyer's writing, while evocative, often glosses over complex themes with a superficial touch.
"One too many pomegranate seeds, and she was bound to the underworld with me" (p. 315). This analogy pushes the narrative into darker waters, suggesting that with every interaction, Bella risks losing herself. It highlights the consuming nature of their relationship, yet also stumbles in its attempt to relate this to Persephone's myth, diluting the impact and risking the reader's engagement with its heavy-handedness.
"This was a dangerous path to even hint at. Hades and his pomegranate. How many toxic seeds had I already infected her with?" (p. 365). This late reflection underscores Edward's awareness of the consequences his love presents to Bella. It beautifully articulates a tension in their relationship, yet it awkwardly navigates the mythological underpinnings—turning what could have been a profound commentary into an overwrought metaphor that doesn’t resonate as deeply as it intends.
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