Edward and Bella: the New Lizzy and Darcy?

Stephanie Meyer was inspired by Pride & Prejudice when writing Twilight. The parallels are obvious, but let’s not get into a debate about plagiarism here.

Edward, the vampire, is very arrogant (some say abusive). He doesn’t condescend himself to talking to Bella (granted, because he really wants to bite her). Bella is a frustrated that he avoids her, and pursues him relentlessly until he reveals his secret. Edward and Bella are young and attractive (though their real life counterparts, Rob and Kristen, need to shower and lay off the weed).

RPattz and KStew: How can two people change looks so much?!

Sounds familiar? Replace the names with Darcy and Lizzy and you have the romantic structure of P&P. Perhaps Jacob Black is the Mister Whickham of the story! (But don’t even get me started on the wolf and all his hormone crazed tween fangirls).

But Lizzy and Darcy are enduring. Their romance continues to inspire and move readers. Edward and Bella are part of a teen craze, that will inevitably be superseded by the next big thing. (I can’t wait for those ‘where are they now shows’ that show old teen heartthrobs recovering from addiction and working at a pool concrete business a la Christopher Atkins from The Blue Lagoon. Kristen Stewart may very well wind up doing toothpaste and eyelash medication commercials like Brooke Shields also of The Blue Lagoon. I have nothing against The Blue Lagoon, I loved it as a kid. We at "Something's Wrong with Esther" like Brooke Shields, she's just an easy example).

Brooke Shields: Actress turned Shameless Celebrity Product Endorser

Until then, we can enjoy Edward and Bella as an appetizer, but Darcy and Lizzy will always be the main course (forgive this bad metaphor).