What age is Midnight Sun?

Twilight’s Ages Revealed: More Than Just Numbers in “Midnight Sun”

Okay, let’s talk “Twilight.” Stephenie Meyer’s saga was, and still is, a cultural phenomenon, right? And “Midnight Sun,” seeing the whole story through Edward’s eyes? Genius. It really lets you dig into the characters’ ages and how those ages – or lack thereof – shape everything. So, how old are these characters, really? Let’s break it down.

Bella Swan: Seventeen Going on… Vampire?

Bella arrives in Forks at the tender age of seventeen. Yep, just seventeen, born in September of ’87. That age is everything. Think about it: she’s almost an adult, but not quite. She’s on the cusp of big life decisions, and then BAM! Vampires. And wanting to become one? That’s a whole other level of teenage angst. Edward’s got his work cut out for him, because her youth and humanity? That’s what makes him go crazy wondering if he can keep her safe.

Edward Cullen: Forever Young, Officially Ancient

Okay, Edward. Publicly, he’s seventeen, blending in at Forks High. But the truth? Way more complicated. Born in 1901 – can you even imagine? – he was turned during the Spanish Flu in 1918. Carlisle, bless his soul, saved him. So, technically, physically, he’s stuck at seventeen. But do the math: “Midnight Sun” takes place in 2005. That makes him, like, 104 years old! A century of brooding! That age difference isn’t just a number; it’s the root of all his internal drama. I mean, can you blame him?

The Cullen Clan: A Family Tree Older Than Your Grandma

The rest of the Cullens? Each with their own crazy-long history.

• Carlisle: The OG vampire dad. Born way back in 1640, turned in 1663. We’re talking over 360 years old during the “Twilight” years. That’s a lot of birthdays missed!
• Esme: Born in 1895, Esme became a vampire in 1921, thanks again to Carlisle. She was 26. The ultimate mom figure, right?
• Rosalie: Gorgeous Rosalie was born in 1915 and turned at 18 in 1933.
• Emmett: Born the same year as Rosalie, 1915, but turned a bit later in 1935 when he was 20.
• Alice: Sprightly Alice, also born in 1901, was turned in 1920 at 19 years old.
• Jasper: Born in 1844, Jasper joined the vampire club in 1863 at the age of 19.

All those different ages, all those different stories… it makes for a pretty interesting (and immortal) family dynamic, don’t you think?

Jacob Black: The Pup with a Secret

And then there’s Jacob. In “Twilight,” he’s just fifteen. A baby! But he’s got his own thing going on with the whole shapeshifting thing. That age is key, because it’s when the Quileute boys start changing. He’s younger than Bella, but he’s got a job to do: protecting his tribe, and eventually, protecting Bella too.

Why All This Matters

So, why obsess over these numbers? Because age isn’t just a detail in “Midnight Sun” or the “Twilight” saga; it is the story. It’s about immortality versus mortality. It’s about whether love can conquer all, even centuries of experience. Edward’s age forces us to ask: Is he really mature enough for Bella? And Bella’s age? It reminds us how huge her choice is, giving up everything to become a vampire. It’s what makes the whole thing so addictive, isn’t it?