Student Question

What is an external conflict and the plot in the Twilight Saga--Breaking Dawn?

Quick answer:

The external conflict in Breaking Dawn involves the Volturi, who enforce vampire laws. When Irina mistakenly reports Renesmee, the child of Edward and Bella, as an immortal child, the Volturi plan to eliminate her and the Cullens. Immortal children are banned due to their uncontrollable nature. The Cullens must prove Renesmee is half-human and not a threat by gathering vampire witnesses to confront the Volturi and defend against their accusations.

Expert Answers

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The external conflict in Breaking Dawn has to do with the Volturri who are the enforcers of vampire laws. When Irina--a cousin of the Cullens misinterprets what she sees when see observes Renesmee, the child of Edward and Bella, she goes to the Volturri claiming they created an immortal child. Immortal children were against the law because vampires are not supposed to call attention to themselves and vampire children are impossible to control. Therefore, the conflict has to do with the Volturri trying to enforce vampire law by killing Renesmee and the Cullen clan while the Cullens must prove that Renesmee is actually a half-human and half-vampire child who poses no threat to vampire culture.They gather other vampire witnesses to attest that Renesmee is no threat and to stand with them against the Volturri.

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