novelnovicetwilight

Often in literature, a character must face the decision to place personal needs over whats best for those they care about. We see this both with Edward and Bella, and both place their needs and the needs of each other above the needs, and often safety, of their loved ones. Does this make them inherently selfish people? If so, is this their fatal flaw? If not, are we to understand that love is to come before all other things--even family and the laws of nature itself?

When it comes to putting their needs above the needs of their loved ones, I don't find that Bella and Edward are both selfish. They are both each others "loved ones", but they do have others, like family members. Bella and Edward try to do what is best for each other. They are always concerned about their family even if they are putting them at harm.

When it comes to putting their needs above the needs of each other or in a case where others aren't involved, I think they are selfish. Bella has seen Edward as selfless while she was selfish, because he has mostly gone her way. He was always open to her ideas like staying out of the battle in Eclipse. Though, he has asked to pay her tuition, and to buy her cars, even while she opposed it.

So when it come to the two of them in their relationship they are selfish with each other, but when it involves other people I don't think they are selfish.

Okay, so in my re-read of Eclipse I'm at the part where Jake is running Bella to the campsite. Right before this is the "Bedroom Scene," which is a great scene with humor...But it makes me want to kick Bella in the mouth. Hard. Maybe multiple times. I just can't get my head around her most of the time. She and I definitely do NOT have much in common. I can't stand that she is willing to let Edward stand back and let his family fight without him. Duh, I know it turns out okay in the end, and he kicks lady vampire butt. However, it's the principle of the thing. I'm pretty sure I'm Team Alice, as opposed to Team Bella. I hate the whole marriage nonsense, too, and I'm glad Alice got her way, at least for now, with the ceremony!!!

Please, don't think I hate Bella, though. She's like my annoying little sis, and I love her no matter what.

But yeah, she's selfish. And I don't think Edward is, but he gets caught in her selfishness...

I think in some ways both can be selfish. I mean no one wants to think of Edward being selfish not even me but you have to admit no ones perfect, not even a vampire. I mean Edward doesn't allow Bella to see Jacob no matter how much she wants too. Even though he does END up letting her it still doesnt make up for not letting her.

I think Bellas selfish just like how KorilovesTwilight said that she wouldnt let Edward fight with his family, even though he did it still didnt make up for it. Even though Bella did know it was wrong she still did it anyways, but i guess its always still true the power of true love, mybe thats wht forced her to do it, but i could be mistaken. But i think everyones selfish in some way, but i dont think Bella and Edwards selfishness is bad for there relationship though.

This question confuses me. And some of your answers confuse me. Haha. But I'm going to give it a shot.

Edward is Selfless in that he puts Bella's needs above himself. He leaves her thinking that this is the best choice for her! He lives in agony for months, thinking that it is best for her, when really it isn't! So, he comes back and he becomes just as selfless from the fact that he won't leave her side-- because that's what she wants. He's bound on making her happy, and that's pretty selfless of him.

Bella is Selfish because she won't let Edward go on his own at all. This ties with my above answer. She wants him there every second! She won't let him leave ever. He doesn't get to talk to his family alone, and I think that she should trust him already, and let the leash stretch a bit more.

Isn't everyone selfish?
Personally I think that anyone who is in love like this is selfish, very selfish--when I was writing a story someone said that my characters were selfish, even though they would do anything for the other person.

But at the same time, you have to put that aside as just natural for being in love, and look at the different aspects: and in Edward and Bella's case, they are both selfless to the point of agony on both parts.

I agree this question confusses me... a lot
I wasn't gonna answer but i have nothing else to do until 5, sooooo here we go!

Edward & Bella are both selfish they put each other before anything, i just finished re-reading New Moon ( or at least the parts with Edward & Alice in them..) and Bellas willing to kill herself witch is selfish to Charlie, but at the same time she is willing to save Edward not for herself, because at the time she thinks he doesn't want her... but for the Cullens. Edward was selfless when he left Bella & selfish when he was going to kill himself.

There just human... and imortal, *giggle* tehehe. they can be selfish and selfless, i don't think we can really label them because there not OVERLY selfish... or OVERLY selfless... although if i had to pick i'd say that they were selfless, but thats just me :[ <--- vampire face! w00t!



~ Amy.