Synopsis and Discussion Guide to Twilight Saga, Breaking Dawn, Part 1

The newest installment of the Twilight saga released at midnight. And while I didn't rush to the theater in the middle of the night to watch Breaking Dawn, Part 1, I have now seen it (at the matinee price, thank you). Listed below you'll find a short synopsis, some themes that run throughout the film, and some discussion questions that you might be able to use to engage girls around this teen-girl cult hit.

Synopsis:
This series begins with the much-anticipated wedding of two of the three main characters, Edward and Bella. And of course, within the first ten seconds of the film, you see Jacob (Taylor Lautner) without his shirt. All goes well with the wedding, despite a little family drama from Edward's (Robert Patinson) side of the family and a confrontation between Jacob and Edward.

The honeymoon takes place on a remote island outside of Rio de Jinero. (Doesn't everyone get their own private island whenever they want it?) Despite fears that the consummation of the marriage could kill Bella, all goes relatively well for two weeks. That's when the plot thickens, as they say. Bella is pregnant. And the baby is not "human". It is this fact that is the focus of the remaining time on the screen. Will Bella carry the baby to "term" (Edward wants to kill "it")? Will she survive the pregnancy? Will Jacob kill the "baby" once it's born? What will the pack of werewolves do with the news of this new member of the vampire family?

The other major plot development that occurs in this movie is the concept of "imprinting" among werewolves. It is the werewolf version of love at first sight. Once a warewolf imprints, that werewolf lives, breaths, and would even die for the one imprinted on his (or her) soul. 

Themes:
Undying love: Of course, the Twilight Saga is about the power of pure, undying love. Edward and Bella love each other. Jacob loves Bella. What is each of them willing (or not willing) to do for the one they love?

Family: Several times in this movie, the characters must determine their family. Bella leaves behind Charlie Swan, her father and police chief, to begin a new life with Edward--even though it means she will never see any of her family or friends again. Jacob must wrestle with his own family (pack) of werewolves and must weigh his commitment to them against his love for Bella. And the Cullen "family" of vampires must choose to defend its newest member, Bella.

Abortion: Yes, abortion. While it is veiled in the dialogue of "not human" versus "human" and "it" and "this can't happen", the main theme of this movie is about what a woman will be willing to do protect the life (whatever kind it is) living inside of her. Edward wants "it" dead. Jacob wants "it" dead. Other family members call it a fetus. Only Rosalie, who once was cold and opposed to Bella and Edward's relationship, calls the infant a "baby."  If you take away the vampires and werewolves, this is a 21st century case study in the debate over the sanctity of human life.

Discussion Questions
Listed below are some questions that might open up discussion with your girls. And hopefully, these questions will make girls think a little bit, too.

Why do you think so many females across so many age groups are so drawn to this movie and this series of movies (and books)?

In the book series, Bella has chosen to become a vampire in order to live forever with Edward. What would you do for the people you love? Is there a limit of what one person should do for the one they love? How would you know if what you feel is love or if it is just hormonal infatuation?

Edward tells Jacob that he (Jacob) shares a bond with Bella that he (Edward) doesn't understand. Why do you think they have such a "connection" even though Bella has chosen Edward?

Would you have left your family behind at 18 to create a new life without them? 

Jacob betrayed his former pack in order to protect people (vampires) he hates because of his love for Bella. Do you think he made a wise decision? What would you have done?

Bella adamantly refuses to end the pregnancy even though she is only 18, even though she has no idea if this pregancy will end in her death, and even though she has no idea what kind of "child" she is carrying. What would you do if you found out you were pregnant at 18? If you found out the pregnancy might possible end in your death? In the death of the child?

Edward fumes with anger because Bella's choice to keep the child means her death and his misery without her. He says that "you gave me no choice" in the decision to keep the baby. Do you think he's feelings are justified? Should he have had an opportunity to choose with Bella?

At the end of the movie, Jacob imprints on Renesme, the infant child of Bella. He is instantly in love. Beyond love. Willing to die. Willing to do anything for her. Protect. Provide. Kill. Forsake everything else, including his own needs, wants and desires. Do you think that a human being's love for someone else is anything like "imprinting"? Why or why not?

How have you talked with girls about the latest Twilight movie? List your comments below.