Rosalie Hale's Backstory - The Twilight Saga
Character: Rosalie Lillian Hale
From: The Twilight Saga
Created By: Stephenie Meyer
Species: Vampire
Physical Traits: Considered exceptionally beautiful, with long, wavy blonde hair and golden eyes (like other ‘vegetarian’ vampires in the Cullen family)
Background: Born in 1915, she comes from a wealthy family in Rochester, New York. She was transformed into a vampire by Carlisle Cullen after a traumatic incident where she was assaulted and left for dead.
Her Initial Reaction towards Bella
Rosalie resented Bella primarily because Bella was a human who desired to become a vampire. Rosalie saw Bella’s choice as reckless and couldn’t understand why Bella would willingly give up her human life, something Rosalie herself had lost against her will.
Rosalie was envious of Bella’s humanity and the possibilities it entailed, such as the ability to have children and a normal human life—things that Rosalie had wanted before her transformation.
Rosalie was also protective of her family and knew the risks that Bella’s presence posed to their secret and their safety. She was scared that Bella’s knowledge of their true nature could lead to danger for the Cullens.
Specific Interactions
Cold and Aloof Behaviour
In Twilight, Rosalie often behaves coldly towards Bella and tries to distance herself from her.
Open Hostility
In New Moon and Eclipse, Rosalie's hostility becomes more evident. She openly expresses her disapproval of Bella’s decisions, particularly Bella’s insistence on becoming a vampire.
Development Over Time
Over the course of the series, particularly in Eclipse, Rosalie explains her backstory to Bella, providing context for her initial resentment and jealousy. She shares the tragic events that led to her transformation and her longing for a human life.
In Breaking Dawn, Rosalie’s attitude towards Bella changes significantly. She becomes one of Bella's strongest supporters during her pregnancy with Renesmee, as Rosalie sees this as a fulfillment of the dream of having a child, even vicariously through Bella.
Backstory
Rosalie Lillian Hale was born in 1915 in Rochester, New York, to a wealthy and socially prominent family. Her father was a banker, and her mother was a homemaker.
Rosalie was exceptionally beautiful and was admired by many. She had dreams of a perfect life that included marrying a man who matched her social status and beauty, having children, and living a luxurious life.
Rosalie became engaged to Royce King II, a wealthy and influential man. She believed she was on the path to her ideal life.
One night, after visiting her friend Vera, Rosalie was walking home alone when she encountered Royce and his drunken friends. They assaulted her and left her for dead in the street.
Carlisle found Rosalie and, seeing that she was near death, decided to save her by transforming her into a vampire. He hoped she might become a companion for Edward, but this did not happen.
After her transformation, Rosalie joined the Cullen family and took the last name Hale to appear as a sibling to Jasper Hale, due to their similar physical appearance.
Rosalie struggled at first with her new vampire existence and was filled with rage over the loss of her human life and dreams. She exacted revenge by killing Royce and his friends, though she did not drink their blood.
Rosalie found her true mate in Emmett Cullen, a human whom she saved from a bear attack and asked Carlisle to transform. They have a strong and loving relationship.
Rosalie often appears vain and aloof, but she deeply values her family and is protective of them. Her initial resentment towards Bella Swan stems from envy of Bella's potential to have a normal life. Over time, she develops a more supportive relationship with Bella, particularly during Bella's pregnancy with Renesmee.
A Key Plot Point: Rosalie’s Envy of Bella and Protection Towards Her
Rosalie Hale was the only person (in the Cullen family) who said no to Bella becoming a vampire.
In Eclipse, Rosalie tells Bella her full story. She explains to her that she envies her humanity, and sees her wish to become a vampire as reckless.
Bella desperately wanted to become a vampire to stay with Edward. She didn’t even consider anything else.
When Rosalie explains everything to her and shows her that she has other options, it signifies the fact that Bella becoming a vampire would be a huge change, and that there are many other ways to handle the situation.
This is probably Meyer’s way of highlighting the weight and permanence of Bella’s decision, and it’s a turning point in the series. It makes Bella see things from a different angle. Not that she changes her mind, but …
By incorporating Rosalie's backstory and her opposition, Meyer enriches the story, adding depth to the themes of sacrifice and the value of human life.