Ribbon Cover Art as a Symbol
The ribbon on the cover is nearly cut in half, but not quite. This represents where Bella is in her journey. She is not quiet ready to cut ties with her human life, and thus the ribbon is not completely severed. She preparing to leave her human life behind, but she isn't actually ready to leave her current life behind - permanently. On one hand, she is ready to move forward with Edward and begin their lives together, and no longer feel threatened by Victoria (who is seeking revenge) and the Voluturi (who have stated Bella’s heart must quit beating, one way or another). On the other hand, she isn't ready to leave her family behind, Jake or human pleasures.
Eclipse as a Symbol
The title of the books is a symbol for the struggle that Bella is facing. The sun symbolizes her sense of self, or perhaps consciousness. Obstructing the sun, through an eclipse, she fears that unconscious thoughts, or instincts, may over power her conscience ego. She understands that undergoing this transformation could mean losing her humanity entirely, as many other vampires have.
The eclipse could also symbolize Bella’s transition away from her family, specifically her mother. This started in Twilight with Bella moving to Forks rather than staying with her mother. Since the moon is a symbol for the mother or feminine the eclipse may also signify ending her relationship with her mother. This could be considered counter-productive to her continued development since Bella is planning on getting married and many women rely heavily on their mothers when they get married.
Lion Motif
Throughout Eclipse (and the previous novels). The Vampires have been described as having cat-like characteristics. This is particularly true when discussing fighting or hunting techniques.
When Victoria finds Bella and Edward’s campsite on the mountain Bella describes her as having a “striking feline quality to the way she held her coiled body, a lioness waiting for an opening to spring.” (p480)
The when Victoria encounters Edward and Seth she “showed her teeth and hissed.” (p484)
Then once Victoria and Edward begin fighting Bella describes it as a fight “between lion and lioness.” (p486)
Equating the Cullens and other vampires to lions gives them the perception of being graceful and agile. It continues to be a present motif throughout the series.
Wuthering Heights Motif
The novel Wuthering Heights has been motif in the Twilight series. It is Bella’s favorite book and she has read it several times. She is reading it in the beginning of the novel, when Charlie ends her punishment. Edward and Jacob are modeled after the characters Heathcliff and Edgar, although the author does not care for the novel herself. Edward does not care for the novel either, telling Bella that it is depressing. However, it remains her favorite book even into Breaking Dawn.
Eye Color Motif and Symbol
The color of vampires eyes are an important symbol and a reoccurring motif in this series. The Cullen's eyes change from golden to dark brown while other vampires have red eyes. The eye color symbolizes their diets. Vampires generally drink human blood and have red eyes. The Cullen's consider themselves ‘vegetarians’ because they choose to drink animal blood rather than human blood. Their choice to abstain has given them more human appearances by coloring their eyes golden/brown rather than red. This allows them to integrate themselves in to human society.
