"The Third Wife Syndrome" And: Why does Bella Seem To Keep Being Drawn Towards Martyrdom ?

"The Third Wife Syndrome" And: "Why does Bella Seem To Keep Being Drawn Towards Martyrdom ?"

As Bella sat by the bonfire, at La Push, Old Quill recited the legions of his tribe. His story explained that his tribe couldn't have survived if it hadn't been for two of their ancestors. One of them was their first "Spirit Warrior," and the other was "Third Wife." The name of their first spirit warrior, had been cherished, and had been passed down from one generations to the next for hundreds of years.

Their tribes other savior had been an Indian maiden. The tribe simply referred to her as "Third Wife." When "Third Wife" saw her husband on the verge of being killed by a vampire, she knew that his death would also mean the death of her children. And the extinction of her entire tribe. So she took a knife and drove it into her heart. Her belief was that the sent of her blood, might distract the vampire. The vampire was distracted, which gave her husband just the time he needed to kill her, and save their tribe. For a day he lay next to her body, in his wolf form and then he left never to return.

The tribe referred to their heroine simply as "Third Wife." Bella couldn't help but wonder why the tribe wouldn't show her enough respect to even remember her name?

Rose question; Why does Bella seem to repeatedly find the concept of martyrdom (dying for others, of for a cause) so appealing?

Professor B's question: As Bella wondered: "If 'Third Wife' was the one who saved her entire tribe from extinction. Why couldn't her decedents even respect her enough to even remember her name?

Sincerely,

Doc B

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Permalink Reply by Debbie Adams on April 14, 2010 at 12:08pm

Bella related to her, the fact that she would give her own life to save those she loves. Just as Bella was willing to do when James said he had her mom she was willing to die to save her. Thats who Bella is, just like BD she handed her dauther over to Jake to save her while she was willing to fight to keep her alive even if it ment her own life. Bella's love ran so deep that she would do what ever to save those she love even if it means her own. When they where about to kill Edward she tells Aro kill me not him. All along she has related to the third wife even before she heard the story.

Permalink Reply by Debbie Adams on April 14, 2010 at 5:48pm

As Bella said in Twilight, " I'd never given much tought to how I would die" "Surely it was a good way to die, in the place of someone else, someone I loved, Noble, even. That ought to count for something." As I said before Bella was like the third wife even before she heard the story. As Edward and Jake protect her, she also want to protect the people she love. Even when the New borns where coming she made sure that her friend where out of town and that Charlie was with Billy to keep them safe. She related to her because Bella would do anything to protect the ones she loves. Through all the books Bella has put her life in front all of thoughs she loves. Just as the third wife took her own life to save her family.

Permalink Reply by Doc B MD on April 16, 2010 at 5:19am

Dear Debbie I think that you are exactly right. I think that Bella seemed to immediately identify with the third wife. Because they both has the capacity to love so much that they were even willing to die for the ones they loved. Thank you for sharing, Doc

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Permalink Reply by Doc B MD on April 16, 2010 at 5:24am

Dear Nalisha,
I think that you are right. Bella loved ALL of them so much that she was willing to sacrifice herself for them. Thanks for sharing Doc
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Permalink Reply by Doc B MD on April 16, 2010 at 5:28am

Dear Jerry,
You make an excellent point. The driving force behind her willingness to die was her love. Thank you for sharring, Dochttp://www.thetwilightsaga.com/group/theofficialtwilightbookdiscussion/forum/topics/the-third-wife-syndrome

Permalink Reply by Fran on April 14, 2010 at 9:18pm

Rose question; Why does Bella seem to repeatedly find the concept of martyrdom (dying for others, of for a cause) so appealing?
Professor B's question: As Bella wondered: "If 'Third Wife' was the one who saved her entire tribe from extinction. Why couldn't her decedents even respect her enough to even remember her name?

Hi Doc and Buttons,

For Bella it is a act of true love, a true sacrifice. She felt she wasn't anything special but if she could die in the place of someone she loved then she would do it. She had no special powers at the time of this gathering of story tellers, or so she thought.
Even in her younger years she had sacrificed her childhood to take care of Renee, to look after her irratic and hairbrained mother. To keep her from doing the real risky things her mother wanted to do. She didn't bother with boyfriends, sure she had friends but they were only during the school hours if ya think about it...Not a one of them ever called her when she moved to Forks. So I guess what I am saying is...she learned at a young age to be a martyr. She has always wanted to make other people happy, and safe. Her own happiness always takes a back seat. Family and friends come first with Bella and what ever she can do to make them happy she will.

As for not remembering the third wife's name....I dont think or believe they forgot it because they didn't respect her enough. Not everybody is a believer when it comes to myth's and legends. The fact that they remember any of the story how many years later is proof that they still have respect for her and their ways. Because they are still telling the story. Jacob had said they were all raised on these stories as a child, granted they never put much thought to it being true at that age but still all the same they were told about them including the third wife. I think its unfortunate that they couldn't recall her name, but the respect has always been there.

These are only my thoughts and feelings, looking forward to everybody elses.
Fran

Permalink Reply by Fran on April 14, 2010 at 10:04pm

I would also like to add that Bella is just like her father in some ways...He to is a martyr..He sacrificed his family's happiness to serve and protect the good town of Forks. A job he takes very seriously.

Permalink Reply by Debbie Adams on April 14, 2010 at 11:26pm

very true Fran, that is kind of what I was tring to say but you can put it into words better than my self. I wish I could say the thing I want the way you and Shannon do. Thanks

Permalink Reply by Fran on April 15, 2010 at 8:05am

Debbie, I think that you do a good job at expressing yourself, but thanks...I tend to speak from the heart alot so I guess that help. As well as I truley believe in what I write.

Permalink Reply by Doc B MD on April 16, 2010 at 5:51am

Dear fran,
"For Bella it is a act of true love" I think that you are exactly right (as I said in my post) To me the potential death wasn't important to her. To Bella what was primary was the gift of love Being a martyr doesn't always mean death. It means major sacrifice. And having to raise Renee by herself with out Charlie was "martyrdom. Once she gets to Charlie's, about an hour after her arrival she is his housekeeper and cook. Serving the people she loves is just part of her nature. I don't know if Renee saw it. But Carlisle saw it in spades and loved and adored her for it. Who knows what Edward saw he was so totally in love with her. ( ECQ: "She always has been dazzling !) Great point: "learned at a young age to be a martyr.' There is the old saying challenges, will either make or break you. Well it made one heck of a woman out of Bella. Bella and Edwards love story, never was a teen love story. He was going on 90 and she was an adult woman. BUT IT WAS FIRST LOVE!!Good point about the names. Of course the men's names were more were significant, because their wolf genes were carried down from father to son.Forget your granddad's name and you might wake up all fuzzy some morning. Thanks as always for sharing, Doc and Prof Buttons of Course.

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Permalink Reply by KimmieCullen - Black on April 15, 2010 at 10:31am

Rose question; 1) Why does Bella seem to repeatedly find the concept of martyrdom (dying for others, of for a cause) so appealing?

I don't think it's that she finds it so appealing, i believe that Stephenie M has portrayed in Bella the qualities she would love to see in everyone (like the example of the Grocery Store Q Doc).
Bella says that she is 'unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him' - Edward that is. Her love for him is so deep that she would do anything within her power to protect him.
Bella has wanted to protect everyone from the beginning of these novels, this would probably be due to the fact that it was leading up to the concept of her power being a 'shield.' Not just any shield, a shield that could protect so many from such an evil force as the Voturi, even when she didn't have long to prepare.

I think another reason may be Bella's complete disregard for herself and her low self exteem. She does not believe she is worthy of Edwards love or of much at all. She completely believes Edward is leaving because he simply doesn't want her anymore in New Moon. She believes this because her opinion of herself in the shadow of everyone else, is so low.

A quote from the movie 'Remember Me,' with our beloved R Patz goes as follows;

Mahatma Gandhi -
- 'Whatever you do in life will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it anyway.'

I think Bella feels as though she is the insignificant one. It's extremely ironic because if not for her, in Breaking Dawn, the Cullens would not have stood a chance against the Volturi's crippling force. Such a 180 degree turn around don't you think?
Twilight is opened by the words 'I'd never given much thought to how i would die.... surely it was a good way to die, in the place of someone else, someone i loved.' From beginning to end, Bella the protector, Bella the shield.

Professor B's question: 1) As Bella wondered: "If 'Third Wife' was the one who saved her entire tribe from extinction. Why couldn't her decedents even respect her enough to even remember her name?

I think Stephenie wanted to get across that it's not the persons name that is important when having done something very courageous, it's the moral of the story behind it and the principles of it's teachings. For example, i'm not a religious person per say, but i do remember the story of the good samaratin, however, i do not remember if his name is in the bible. It's not because the moral of the story didn't stay with me. It's probably because, those people, didn't do these things to have their name remembered, it was for the good of mankind, for love. That's what's important.
It's clear that the third wife is well respected, otherwise they wouldn't remember and recall her story in a hero's light.

Thanks, hope i didn't bore you, Kimmie x

Permalink Reply by Doc B MD on April 19, 2010 at 1:45pm

Dear Kimmy,
"I believe that Stephenie M has portrayed in Bella the qualities she would love to see in everyone." I certainly agree with you Kimmy. When you read the "Grocery Store Hero" you see that not only is Stephanie recommending sacrifice for others, it is a project that she is working on for herself. In 1678 Bunton wrote a book called "A Pilgrim's Progress" It was a fictional story about a man going through life trying to live a (godly) or loving life. The protagonist ( main character) was a common man (not unlike Bella) who was trying to find his way. To me "The Twilight Saga" is a "Pilgrim's Progress" for the twenty first century. Bella struggles to love. But Stephanie (a beautiful human) has the courage to admit that she struggles too. "her (Bella's) power being a 'shield.' Not just any shield, a shield that could protect so many from such an evil force." Doc "Wow" what a great observation. Bella's shield is a perfect metaphor for how her love protects her family. So many times there has been one person (often a mother in a family) whose love and faith have set standards that have kept the entire family "safe." Bella does that.
You are so right: Bella does feel insignificant compared to Edward. Which is so ironic since she is his entire reason for living.
"it's not the persons name that is important " Doc RIGHT RIGHT RIGHT!! REAL HEROES ANDS HEROINES COULDN'T CARE LESS if they get credit. Real heroes do what they do out of love. And giving their love is them is their reward. GREAT POINT.

Excellent point about the good Samaritan. The members of the Samaritan tribe weren't pure Jewish, so they were looked down on as not being as good as the others. Christ message was that being a hero has nothing to do with who you are. It is related to what you do. And how your live your life. They were heroes in the grocery store. Thx Doc