The Gestalt of Twilight

by Mikhail Lyubansky, Ph.D.on the Twilight Saga

“You are what your deepest desire is. As you desire, so is your intention. As your intention, so is your will. As is your will, so is your deed. As is your deed, so is your destiny.”

–The Upanishads

“I want you to be safe. And yet, I want to be with you. The two desires are impossible to reconcile.”

–Edward Cullen, Twilight

We human beings love categories. We especially love dichotomous choices. They not only help us make sense of our reality and decide how to interact with it, but are the source of seemingly every heated debate in seemingly every demographic group: Yankees or Red Sox? Betty or Veronica? Democrat or Republican?

The prominent salience of dichotomies is part of the Twilight Saga’s appeal. Dichotomies are everywhere: good versus evil, human versus monster, vampires versus werewolves, even love versus hate, as at the very beginning … read more»

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Mon 9/28

Petyr Baelish and the Mask of Sanity

by Matt Staggson A Song of Ice and Fire

The world of a Song of Ice and Fire is an unbelievably cruel place: Heroes fall to the blade with no regard for the nobility of their character or the righteousness of their cause. Villains live on with seemingly little comeuppance for their wickedness. Life is hard, and the gods, … read more»

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Fri 9/25

The Drama of Being Decent

by Paula Rogerson Friday Night Lights

Every kid who has ever wondered why she has to spend her time wearing itchy pants and running around after a ball always hears the same words as her parents shove her up to the plate (or what have you): sports build character. They teach you how to be a … read more»

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Thu 9/24

On the Down-Low

by Lynne Edwardson Veronica Mars

A Long Time Ago, We Used to Be Friends . . .

My guilt begins with the theme song: “A long time ago, we used to be friends, but I haven’t thought of you lately at all.. . .” it’s the soundtrack to my shame, the rhythm of my secret agony … read more»

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Wed 9/23