Summary
Eclipse, the third novel in the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer, continues the tale of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, set against a backdrop of mysterious killings in Seattle. The story delves deeper into the complicated relationship dynamics among the central characters while conflict escalates between the vampire and werewolf realms. Eclipse explores themes of choice, consequence, and the price of transformation as it marks the culmination of Bella's crucial decisions regarding love, friendship, and her own mortality.
The plot thickens as Seattle suffers from a series of murders caused by a new vampire seeking revenge. Amidst applying to colleges and navigating her complex emotions towards Edward and Jacob, Bella finds herself in a pivotal position that could ignite an age-old vendetta between vampires and werewolves. The return of Victoria, a vengeful vampire, adds to the looming danger, compelling the Cullen family and the Quileute wolf pack to form an uneasy alliance. Bella's love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob are tested as she faces a future that demands a significant sacrifice.
The narrative is enriched with character backstories (notably Rosalie and Jasper), providing depth to the Cullen family's history and motivations. As the threat of the nascent vampire army grows, strategic alliances and emotional revelations lead to a climactic battle that tests the bonds of love and loyalty. The novel concludes on a reflective note as Bella reconciles her feelings for Jacob, reaffirming her commitment to Edward with their engagement.
Upon its release in 2007, Eclipse received positive reviews for its exploration of mature themes, its character development, and the engaging love triangle at its core.. It also became an instant bestseller, further solidifying the Twilight Saga's cultural impact. Like the first two Twilight books, Eclipse was adapted into a feature film—starring Kristen Stewart as Bella, Robert Pattison as Edward, and Taylor Lautner as Jacob—released in 2010.
Themes
Choice
Self-identity
Love triangle dynamics
Maturity and emotional growth
Friendship vs. romantic love
Race and unity in diversity
Jealousy
Possessiveness
Loyalty
Decision-making and consequences
Acceptance of change
Setting
Eclipse is set in the early 21st century and primarily unfolds in and around Forks, Washington—a town characterized by its incessant rainfall and dense forests, which provide an ideal setting for the story's supernatural elements. The tranquility and isolation of Forks contrast sharply with the turbulent, supernatural events that transpire within its bounds, grounding the gravity of the saga's fantastical elements in a real-world locale.
Another significant setting within Eclipse is Seattle, Washington. The city, a few hours drive from Forks, faces its own turmoil as it becomes the battleground of mysterious killings, instigated by a newborn vampire army. This urban backdrop adds a layer of menace and breadth to the storyline, expanding the saga’s scope beyond the small-town confines of Forks and into a larger, yet equally shadowed, metropolitan sphere. The contrast between Seattle's urban landscape and Forks's secluded environment underscores the novel’s themes of conflict and duality, reflecting the internal struggles of its protagonist, Bella Swan.
Characters
Bella Swan: The protagonist, torn between her love for vampire Edward Cullen and her friendship with werewolf Jacob Black.
Edward Cullen: A vampire deeply in love with Bella, eager for her to become a vampire while disagreeing with her conditions for turning.
Jacob Black: A werewolf in love with Bella, who competes with Edward for her affections.
Alice Cullen: Edward's vampire sister, known for her precognitive abilities, foreseeing Victoria's return.
Victoria: A malicious vampire seeking revenge against Bella and Edward for the death of her mate, James.
Rosalie Hale: Edward's vampire sister, who shares her past with Bella to explain her own reservations about turning Bella into a vampire.
Seth Clearwater: A young member of the wolf pack who joins Bella, Edward, and Jacob in the mountains during the battle against the newborn vampires.
James (mentioned): Victoria's mate, whose death at the hands of the Cullens motivates her vengeance.
Charlie Swan: Bella's father, unaware of the supernatural forces surrounding his daughter.
Leah Clearwater: A member of the wolf pack who shares a moment of understanding with Jacob over their mutual heartbreak.
FAQs
What is the main conflict in Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer?
The main conflict in Eclipse revolves around the protagonist, Bella Swan, as she navigates through a series of dangerous events due to mysterious killings in Seattle. She is also caught in a love triangle, forcing her to choose between her vampire lover, Edward Cullen, and her friend Jacob Black, a werewolf. This choice threatens to reignite an ancient feud between vampire and werewolf factions. Additionally, Bella faces a personal dilemma of choosing between life and death, as she contemplates becoming a vampire to be with Edward forever.
What significant choices does Bella face in the novel?
Bella faces two significant choices in Eclipse. The first is a romantic choice between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob, which also has broader implications for the vampire and werewolf communities. The second major decision involves her contemplating her own mortality and whether to become a vampire to spend eternity with Edward, highlighting her inner struggle with the concept of life and death and the consequences of her decisions.
Why has Eclipse been compared to Wuthering Heights?
Eclipse has been compared to Wuthering Heights because Stephenie Meyer was inspired and influenced by the classic novel, as mentioned in her acknowledgment. Both novels explore intense, and oftentimes tumultuous, love stories that involve making difficult choices in the face of societal and supernatural pressures. Meyer's characters and their predicaments reflect the complex romantic entanglements and themes of unattainable love found in Emily Brontë's work, leading to Eclipse being discussed in the context of its literary predecessor.
How was Eclipse received by critics and the public?
Eclipse received generally positive reviews from critics and was eagerly embraced by the public. Critics noted the novel's exploration of more mature themes compared to its predecessors and praised its handling of the love triangle and plot dynamics. It was a commercial success, selling over 150,000 copies within the first 24 hours of its release and ranking as one of the bestselling books of 2008. The positive reception is attributed to Meyer's captivating storytelling and the novel's emotional depth and character development.
What is the significance of the torn red ribbon on the novel's cover?
The torn red ribbon on the cover of Eclipse symbolizes the theme of choice, reflecting the critical decisions Bella must make, particularly regarding her relationships and future. It also represents Bella's struggle to fully detach from her human life, despite her deep bonds and the inevitable changes that come with her love for Edward. The imagery of the ribbon serves as a powerful metaphor for the decisions that will irreversibly affect Bella's life and the lives of those around her.
Quotes
“He's like a drug for you, Bella.”
“Fall down again, Bella?
No, Emmett, I punched a werewolf in the face.”“Look after my heart, I've left it with you.”
“I am Switzerland. I refuse to be affected by territorial disputes between mythical creatures.”
“I promise to love you forever, every single day of forever.”
He sighed. "The clouds I can handle. But I can't fight with an eclipse.”
“I coveted you. I had no right to want you, but I reached out and took you anyway. And now look what's become of you! Trying to seduce a vampire.”
“Dream happy dreams. You are the only one who has ever touched my heart. It will always be yours. Sleep, my only love.”
Quick facts
Eclipse was published with an initial run of one million copies and sold more than 150,000 copies in its first 24 hours of release.
Stephenie Meyer finished the rough draft of Eclipse before the release of the first book in the series, Twilight, in October 2005.
Initially, Eclipse was intended to be the final book in the Twilight Saga, as Meyer was originally signed to a three-book deal.
Eclipse takes inspiration from Wuthering Heights, despite Meyer openly expressing that she found Emily Brontë's classic novel depressing.
The cover of Eclipse features a torn red ribbon, symbolizing Bella's choice between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob, as well as her struggle to break completely away from her human life.
A marketing event called "Eclipse Prom" was hosted by Meyer, leading to the tickets selling out within hours for both the scheduled event and an additional prom.
Due to an accidental early shipment of Eclipse by Barnes & Noble, many Twilight series fansite forums shut down to prevent spoiler leaks online.
The film adaptation of Eclipse was released on June 30, 2010, directed by David Slade, marking it the third installment of the Twilight film series and the first to be shown in IMAX.
About the author
Stephenie Meyer is an American novelist and film producer. She has become a household name for her young adult vampire romance series, The Twilight Saga, which has sold more than 160 million copies worldwide and made her the bestselling author in the US for two consecutive years, 2008 and 2009. Her books have been translated into 37 languages and adapted into highly successful movies.
Born on December 24, 1973, in Hartford, Connecticut, Meyer completed her degree in English Literature at Brigham Young University. One morning in 2003, she awoke from a vivid dream of an intense conversation between an average girl and a beautiful, sparkly boy who happened to be a vampire. Inspired, she began writing their story. Six months later, her first novel was accepted for publication. An instant sensation, Twilight transformed her from a stay-at-home mom to a globally recognized author.
Beyond Twilight and its sequels and spin-offs, Meyer has written two novels for adults, The Host, a sci-fi romance, and The Chemist, a thriller. She is also influential in film production, notably through her work on the Twilight movies and within her own production company, Fickle Fish Films. She lives in Arizona with her husband and three sons.
