Cross-Application

Someone I know wrote a philosophy and I've been finding lots of ways to apply it to my outside reading book....

"If we love others, then we bear the pain of unreturned love, or the pain of helplessness when we cannot do anything for them. But we are comforted by the love itself, even when it is grief, for sometimes the grief is the love."

This passage accurately reflects the amorous conflict between Bella, Edward and Jacob. When I read it I think of Jacob, trying to do whatever he can for Bella, but not being able to because of his fated conflict with the vampires.

"If we are hated, then we bear the pain of another's scorn. But we are comforted in the knowledge that other's love us, and that the other's hate is a challenge, to be turned into love."

Once again the passage portrays the conflict between Jacob and Edward. Mortal enemies, trying to be pulled together by Bella. Bella is the love, and to each, the other is the challenge. However eventually they will have to love each other if they both want to be close to Bella.

"If we are frightened, we bear the pain of the unknown. But we are comforted by plunging into it. For only by shedding our own light into the darkness can we be truly sure of what is there."

There are so many times in the book where Bella has no experience in whatever is going on and therefore has to master her fears... for instance, when she is being pursued by James. But also, even when she realizes that Edward and his family are vampires: she had to put her preconceptions aside and be brave to find out that they are really some of the kindest people she would ever meet.

"If we are overwhelmed, we bear the pain of the world on our shoulders. But we are comforted in knowing that our togetherness with other people will help us to bear it."

Bella has to face so many difficult situations in the book that it would be impossible for her to survive them without the help of the people around her. Both emotionally and physically, she is being put under so much pressure because of her affiliation with fantastic creatures.

"And if we feel that no one loves us, then we look upwards, for beneath the crimson sky we are all equals. All equally nourished by the sun and the produce of the earth. All equally supplied with what we need to survive by nature. For if no one else loves us, we will find love in the stars."

I guess that Jacob is trying to forget Bella once Edward comes into the picture. He is probably thinking along the lines of this philosophy, being so close to nature.

And the finale....

"And if you are not comforted by any of these things, then know that even though we may not have borne pain together, that our pain may take different forms. That it hurts us all. And as one bearer of pain to another, I love you. I love you for holding on and for fighting and for never giving in and for getting up each morning and making it through the day. And for whatever it may mean to you, I pray for your pain to end, for your hurt to come to a close. For a moment of respite."