oa Identiteitsontwikkeling in de Twilight saga

Identity development in The Twilight Saga

This article interrogates the popular teen-targeted series The Twilight Saga, written by Stephenie Meyer, in light of theories on identity development. In adolescence, a transition period from childhood to adulthood, identity development dominates. Being an adolescent herself, main character Bella Swan can set an example to her adolescent readers on how to cope with fear of exploration and commitment in the development of their identities. An exploration of existing research on the saga shows that identity development as an analytical framework remains absent thus far. Using discourse analysis, the author examines the way Bella uses vampirism in the development of her identity, and comes to the conclusion the saga offers a main character that runs away from fear, instead of overcoming it. The possible consequences of such imaging are considered, after which an incentive to media educational intervention is given.