Whoever said that Twihards were just a bunch of crazy obsessed fan-girls? Over the past few weeks, I’ve been observing, documenting, and commenting on the enormous network of human connections that have sprouted from the Twilight phenomenon. From fan websites to Twilight Moms sleepovers to premiere camping to local library events, Twilight has brought together millions of people in a completely new and distinctive community. The point of my project isn’t to judge whether or not the fandom has been good or bad—I’m just analyzing its categories and prototypes. But, I did find something very, undeniably good about this phenomenon. And I thought I would use this opportunity to talk about it.
I first came across the acronym C.W.A. on the His Golden Eyes online store. There was an entire page of C.W.A. merchandise, including t-shirts, stickers, hats, pins, and sweatshirts. Intrigued, I thought that perhaps Twilight fans had identified Carlisle as their own personal moral compass, bringing his compassion and vegetarian-vampire philosophy everywhere they go. After adding all of the merchandise to my research database, I surfed back to the main place of His Golden Eyes and found C.W.A. again—this time, as a link. I wasn’t at all prepared for what I found, but truthfully, I wasn’t surprised.
As it turns out, Carlisle Would Approve is a Twilight inspired charitable organization dedicated to motivating people to donate blood. The organization holds Twilight-themed blood drives nationwide and spreads information about giving blood on Twilight fan media. The organization is a perfect fit for the Twilight fan base. After all, the Cullens are all about preserving blood. This gives Twilight fans a chance to follow right in their footsteps!
The slideshow on the website shows photos of proud blood-donating fans, some sporting Twilight shirts and at least one wearing a Gryffindor tee! Being as it may that the Twilight and Harry Potter fan bases overlap as much as they do, it appears that this organization has the power to reach even more people than perhaps its originally intended. Who knows? Maybe the Anne Rice readers and True Blood watchers will get involved as well! C.W.A. Has a Myspace page with information of giving blood, news, updates, and plans. It also has a Facebook group with 870 members.
When I step back and think about it, maybe this organization does tell me a little bit about the workings of Twilight cultural categories. I doubt that a similar organization would be able to spring from the deep well of Dracula or any of the older, darker vampire stories. Yes, Twilight serves up its share of darkness and evil blood-suckers, but its leading vampires are lovable characters who struggle to deny themselves human blood in search of a more humane, moral existence. Twilight has created a prototype of vampires that is much different than the traditional prototype, and to Twilighters, all other vampires must in some way measure up to the Cullens. Twilight has also put forward a prototype for what is “good” and what is “evil.” The Cullens’ constant struggle to preserve human life is the height of “goodness.” Their concern for human life, their ability to rise above their own destructive natures, and their personal sacrifice for others are all part of the Twilight prototype for “good.” It is no wonder that fans of such a culture would hold similar values, and would sacrifice their own blood for the health of other human beings.
And so, although I have indeed crossed he line of anthropological neutrality in declaring this organization as “good,” I would venture to say that Twihards would also classify it as good, according to their own cultural values. To them, helping others through personal sacrifice is the epitome of loving and living. Carlisle would approve.
Twilight Anthropology 