To all newcomers to this site, welcome to twi-lit.com! The purpose of this web site is to explore the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer as an influential work of fiction– and, by extension, a work of literature.
As some of you may be asking, can Twilight really be considered a work of literature?
My opinion: Absolutely.
Usually, when people are asked to define the term “literature,” they think of classic works of fiction like Moby Dick and Huckleberry Finn. In other words, most people think the term “literature” only refers to books that are used in an English classroom.
While I am as passionate about these books as the next literature student, I am also a member of a newer school of thought, which states that all works of fiction can be considered works of literature, especially those that have a significant impact upon our culture. (Obviously, as an extremely popular series, Twilight fits this definition.)
More importantly, I believe the same techniques that scholars use to examine classic works of literature can also be applied to “commercial” fiction like Twilight, with equally satisfying and significant results.
Don’t believe me? That’s okay. That’s why this site exists. In the entries on this blog, I aim to fully explore Twilight as a work of fiction, including its tropes, its world-building techniques, and its narrative structure.
Have no idea what a trope is? That’s okay, too! =) I tried to make this site accessible to everyone, from literature scholars to the youngest Twilight fans. With any luck, I’ll be writing a blog that has something enjoyable for everyone– and just maybe, I’ll be able to help any future scholars out there learn a thing or two along the way.
About Me
My full name is Katrina Starr. At least, that’s the name I’ll be using on this blog. The last name is technically an alias, which I use as a matter of personal preference and to be on the safe side in protecting my privacy. (It was my grandmother’s last name, actually, so I didn’t come up with it myself!)
As for what to call me on this blog, “Katrina” works fine. “Kat” is even better, since that’s my nickname in real life, the one that all my close friends use. =)
So, what qualifies me to be writing a blog about literature? Well, not as much as your average literature professor, but I do have a BA in English Literature. (This was my major in college, the same as Stephenie Meyer. Actually, we have very similar tastes in literature. Shakespeare and Jane Austen are two of my all-time favorite writers.)
What qualifies me to be writing a blog about vampire fiction? Well, more than you might guess! =) My area of specialty in literature is the British Romantic period, which peaked in the early 1800’s. As it happens, this period is also when vampires first appear in English fiction. (For all you vampire fans out there, I highly recommend reading vampire literature from the nineteenth century. After all, these works became the foundation for vampire fiction written in the English language. I’ll occasionally refer to some of them in my blog.)
During my studies, I’ve also written a fifty-page thesis on vampire literature in the nineteenth century. Because of this, I’ve done some pretty extensive research on the scholarship that already exists about vampire fiction. It’s a fascinating field, and I encourage all Twilight fans and literature enthusiasts to explore it.
When all is said and done, though, I’m just your average literature student who is passionate about books. I believe that anything that gets more people reading is a wonderful thing, and Twilight has been incredibly effective in that respect, both in the U.S. and abroad.
On a more personal level, I read all four Twilight books last year, and I became enchanted with the unique world of vampires and werewolves that Stephenie Meyer created. I’ve enjoyed vampire fiction for years, and I found Stephenie’s version to be new and original. I’ve become an enthusiastic fan of her work, which has rekindled the undying interest in vampires that has existed in our culture for centuries. I also believe that the Twilight series includes several developments that are important in the history of vampire fiction, and as such, it is worthwhile for scholars and fans alike to study it.
This blog is my opportunity for sharing my observations about Twilight with anyone who will listen, and for that, I thank you, a visitor to my site who actually took the time to read this.
