The Myth of Persephone

The author alludes to the myth of Persephone, who is abducted by Hades, god of the underworld, to explore how Edward feels regarding his courtship of Bella. In the myth Persephone tethers herself to the underworld by eating a few pomegranate seeds with which Hades tempts her. Edward too feels as though he is unfairly seducing Bella given his powers as a vampire. Edward reflects: "Is that who I was? Hades himself, coveting springtime, stealing it, condemning it to endless night?" (187) When Persephone eats the pomegranate seeds, she returns to the underworld with Hades and the world must endure six months of winter. Edward fears Bella will endure a painful transformation into immortality if he turns her into a vampire.

Edward repeatedly wonders how he can love Bella and maintain a relationship with her without dooming her for an eternity. Given that he...