Who is Edward Cullen?

Edward Cullen features as one of Stephanie Myer’s most prominent and reputable characters in her collection of fictional vampire novels (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn)

Edward’s history in the novel Twilight relates as far back as 1918, where, when Edward was just seventeen, his adoptive father, Dr. Carlisle Cullen, transfigured Edward into a vampire by means of a desperate last resort, to save him from his eminent, rapidly approaching death as Edward suffered from The Spanish Influenza Epidemic. He had already lost both parents to the disease, and it was his mother, Elizabeth Masen’s dying wish, that her son should be saved.

Most Vampires as we know them thrive upon mercilessly slaying their victims, before feeding upon their blood, with cruel and cut throat intentions and an additionally cold heart, however, Edward was redeemed with a unique sense of morality and justice upon being transformed, and swore to fight wholeheartedly against his Vampiric instincts to hunt and kill for human blood.

As the story progresses, Edward is made acquainted with Bella Swan, a human girl whom he becomes instantly mystified by. Upon meeting her, he is captivated by the sweet scent of her blood, and is instinctively grasped by an impulsive urge to feed on her.He manages to fight this overbearing temptation until he develops feelings of intense attraction towards her. Bella ends up in vulnerable situations and after rescuing her on numerous occasions, Edward realises he is exposing her to danger. Bella believes in Edward determinedly, and does not understand the risk she is undertaking by associating herself with him, as a result of her desires, she unconsciously becomes the prime target for Edward’s Vampiric rival, Jack.

This is a love story, and just that. Edward is a Vampire, it is possible to dissect this into more post-modern ideas, but a simple love story of Boy meets Girl, maybe from the wrong side of town.