Twilight vampires do not age mentally. They retain their mental age at the time they became a vampire. This means that if someone becomes a vampire at the age of 17, they will continue to have the mind and maturity of a 17-year-old, even if they live for hundreds of years.
This is a key aspect of the Twilight universe, as it creates a unique dynamic between the immortal vampires and the mortal humans they interact with. It also raises questions about the nature of immortality and the challenges of living with an unchanging mind in a constantly changing world.
Here are some examples of how this concept plays out in the books:
- Edward Cullen: Despite being over 100 years old, Edward retains the emotional maturity and perspective of a 17-year-old, which can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts with his human friends.
- Alice Cullen: Alice, who became a vampire at a young age, has the mind and perspective of a young child, despite her physical maturity. This makes her playful and optimistic, but also can make her seem naive or immature.
- Aro: The leader of the Volturi, Aro, is thousands of years old but still retains the mental age of a young man. This gives him an air of wisdom and power, but also makes him seem detached from the modern world.
The concept of unchanging mental age in Twilight vampires adds an interesting layer to the story and provides a unique perspective on the nature of immortality.