Carlisle Cullen: The Eternal Doctor

Carlisle Cullen

The Eternal Doctor

Born: 1640; London, England

Changed: 1663

Selfish or Selfless?

Over the few years immediately following the release of Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight, the first novel of the extremely popular four book saga, I’ve come across multiple debates, discussions, and arguments on the subject of our beloved patriarch’s morality.  Though incredibly unorthodox, his actions of feeding only on animals and then choosing to heal humans as a doctor, rather than preying on them as a food source (normal stereotypical behavior for vampires), have brought him fascinated recognition and respect, even earning him the title of Stregoni Benefici from the Volturi. However, despite the admiration, fans and critics alike are unsure about what to think of his decision to end someone’s life or essentially, playing God in a way.  Both parties argue that it depends on the situation in which Carlisle decided to intervene, though they never come to a clear determination.

In his 372 years on Earth, Carlisle has changed or turned four other people into vampires: Edward, Esme, Rosalie, and Emmett.

On the subject of Emmett, it’s seems, more than anything, simply bad timing.  Had Rosalie not been hunting in the area when he was mauled by a bear, he never would have had the “opportunity” to become a Cullen. Out of the four, Emmett is the only one that Carlisle did not find on his own and Emmett’s changing was the result of a request made by Rosalie after she carried him over a hundred miles to Carlisle. Of course, being who he is, Carlisle felt it a “waste” to let Emmett die so young and complied, hoping that it would not only give Emmett a second chance, but also hoping that it would make Rosalie happier in her forced immortality.

Speaking of Rosalie, Carlisle’s first “daughter”, she was originally said to have been changed for Edward, hoping that she would turn out to be his mate. Finding her in an alley, after she’d been raped and beaten, Carlisle again felt the need to change her to provide her with a second chance due to his compassionate nature, out of no real gain for himself.

Edward’s change, however, is somewhat different.  Like Emmett’s change, Edward’s was made at the request of his human mother, Elizabeth Masen, as they both lay dying of the Spanish Influenza. At the time, Carlisle had been alone for over two centuries. One could say, he may have been a tad bit lonely, which I believe strongly influenced his decision. He could give Edward another chance, after being given express permission from Elizabeth, and end his lonely days all at once. I can’t say that I wouldn’t have been tempted after being alone for so many years.

On the subject of doing something for personal gain, I firmly believe that Esme is Carlisle’s one most selfish act. Having met her in 1911, when she was only sixteen, after she broke her leg falling out of a tree, it is believed that he developed a profound connection with her and she with him. Despite Carlisle’s leaving a few days after treating her, it is said that Esme continued to love him and that Carlisle never forgot her.  Meeting her again ten years later, after her failed suicide attempt, he could not bear to let her die and bit her, despite the fact that she had tried to end her life.  It is said that they later married “quickly and easily.”

So which one is the worst? Knowing that Carlisle does most things out of compassion, is it possible to overlook Esme’s changing and call him selfless? Or do they all make him selfish? I would say it’s inconclusive. Too me, there are too many extenuating circumstances to definitively say one or the other. Even Carlisle seems unable to come to his own conclusion.

"I think, in most other ways, that I’ve done the best I could with what I had to work with. But was it right to doom the others to this life? I can’t decide."

                                                                 --Carlisle Cullen, New Moon