Screw you, I love Jacob. D=

I can understand him. Sometimes it doesn't work out; sometimes people don't all end up happy. But you can't pin dislike on a guy just for being the caltrop in someone else's road to love. Both he and Edward were fighting to win Bella's affections. Just because Jacob's a big idiot...well, Edward and Bella herself are just as selfish. I don't feel like blaming anyone--except for Edward, who's speshul, they're all just kids fooling around trying to get their respective acts together. Would Jacob be as powerful a character if he just gave up? Nah, a situation like theirs you can't just point at someone and say "his fault!" or I'd already be pointing at Bella and screaming myself hoarse about her leading everybody on. Just because you're baffled at why something is happening doesn't absolve you of all responsibility for it.

You can, however, uh, point at someone and yell "IT WOULD BE SO MUCH EASIER IF YOU JUST KIND OF DISAPPEARED SOMEHOW," and yeah, that person would probably be Jacob. But I like him; I understand him. I like that about this book, I understand everyone without anyone being too trite.

Besides.

<font size="1">He turns in to a great big wolf and I'm a furry.</font>

I AM NOT blaming Jacob, nor am I saying that the other two are blameless!

I am saying that Jacob is selfish and cruel to Bella. He keeps shoving himself into her path and forcing her to kiss him when she clearly says no, several times. I think her deciding the the end she loves him is utter bullshit. I think she's just so desperate to have a semblance of the relationship they had that she's deluding herself. In my opinion, Jacob is cruel and has been harassing Bella and she doesn't know how to handle it.

Edward, on the other hand, loves her enough to back off, but he should have stepped in when Jacob started to try and force himself on Bella. Jake knew she wouldn't choose him over Edward, and yet he forced her to make that choice. I think it would have been better for him to simply step out of the way and stop trying to manipulate her. Like I said, it's cruel and completely uncalled for.

Also, I don't see Bells or Edward as selfish, per say. They're so wrapped up in each other that they can be thoughtless, yes, but at least they're honest about their feelings and about one another. Jacob just keeps saying "You love me." until poor, desperate Bella finally gives in and decides to agree. Humph.

--
Why did you come in through the window? We have a door.

_{icon by the beautiful and talented kittykatmaniac}

When I understand something, I find it hard to dislike it. This isn't an argument I'm bringing to bear, but it's the same with Bella; she and Jacob were kids together. She understands Jacob, so she continually forgives him for his actions, which serves to encourage him. He knows she doesn't mean it--not his definition of mean it, anyway. He's never dissuaded, because she can't bring herself to be truly cruel, which is the only thing that would put him off--he's like a big dog you need the claw-collar for. Bella just isn't capable of mustering up the force to get Jacob to understand anything, and so he's left to put the pieces together as best he can. And what does he see? A girl who's in a dysfunctional relationship with a monster he's been born and bred to hate, who comes to him for succor when interpersonal with Edward gets ugly, a girl who only ever sees hurt more than she's made happy by a bloodsucker. And a girl who refuses to let their friendship fall by the wayside--why? Why, because some part of her must still be longing to be free (and her love is kind of oppressive and entrapping. ADMIT IT) and with him. Because she has fun with him, right? She laughs with him, right? She'd defy Edward and the Cullens and his own family for him, right?

What is he supposed to do, give up? Let Edward have her? Edward, whom he hates, and whom he honestly thinks is bad for Bella? Come on! Jacob's a fucking hero for putting himself at odds with Edward, from his point of view. Just because Edward and Bella are pretty amazing together too doesn't make Jacob any less brave.

Sure, it's the guy's responsibility to back off even if he gets a kind of pathetic no, but come on--he really thinks he's doing the right thing. And he loves her, and this is the only way he can get it through to her. Bella doesn't even notice the boys at school, unless they get pushy and in her face and tenacious; clearly, Jacob would have no hope winning her over. Bella is the epitome of distracted. He can only get through to her by being a big fuzzy stubborn jerk.

And, in the end, he does. Even if it's not enough. Not enough at all.