Is Bella Swan just a self insertion of the author Stephenie Meyer or in other words a Mary sue?

Answer 1

Yes. Yes, she is. On Springhole's Universal Mary Sue Litmus Test, Bella scored a 55 for the by the answer being yes for the following questions:

• · Did you base your character's looks on your own? (4pts. Bella Swan and Stephanie Meyer both have heart shaped faces, brown hair, and dark eyes)
• · Does anyone fight or squabble over your character because of his/her looks? (4pts)
• · Is anyone (including you) jealous of your character's good looks? (1pt Jessica)
• · Do other characters frequently tell your character how sexy or beautiful he/she is?(2pts)
• · Does your character modestly deny it every time or refuses to believe that he/she is attractive?(3pts)
• · Do you use poetic to describe your character?(1pt "Ivory Skin")
• · Does your character have a particularly attractive scent that doesn't come from their perfume or shampoo? (1pt)
• · Is your character impervious to any of the normal limitations and/or weaknesses of his/her species? (5pts Edward can read everyone's mind but Bella's)
• · Is your character some other kind of cool humanoid with powers/abilities beyond human ability? (2pts in the last book, she is a vampire)
• · Does your character become a genetically, scientifically, cybernetically, or magically altered/enhanced being, possibly with new powers?(5pts she gets turned into a vampire)
• · Is he/she happier this way? (see above 2pts)
• · Are The Rules of the universe bent or broken for your character? (1pt: Vampires can't have babies, but then Bella gets pregnant by one, "Newborn vampires are supposed to be completely out of control and hungry, but Bella isn't.")
• · Does your character share your favorite types of movies, music, clothes, etc? (1pt Bella Swan and Stephanie Meyer both very much like Muse and Linkin Park.)
• · Does your character pick up new skills unusually fast during the course of the story? (1pt. Bella finds herself immediately able to control her actions around humans without effort.)
• · Like, insanely (2 more Again, no effort.)
• · Are other characters extremely impressed or astonished at your character's skills and/or virtues? (1pt they are all very impressed at Bella's ability to avoid eating people.)
• · Does your character modestly dismiss or deflect well-earned compliments? (1pt she consistently refuses to believe she's pretty.)
• · Does your character have any other relatively unique special powers/abilities that come in handy? (1pt the ability to block telepathy and create a barrier of "no mind powers" around people)
• · Does your character succeed at virtually everything he/she tries? (1pt Biology, schoolwork, avoiding eating people, etc.)
• · Is anyone envious of your character's talents and/or abilities? (2pts Jasper is jealous because Bella effortlessly controls herself around humans.)
• · Alternatively, do your character's parents/guardians let him/her do whatever he/she wants and never really get in the way or ask too many questions? (2pts Charlie, who has no personality whatsoever, doesn't do anything to keep Bella in line except the cliché fatherly "you aren't having sex, are you?" behavior.)
• · Is your character extremely popular or renowned where he/she comes from or frequents? (3pts EVERYONE loves her, except for like three people.)
• · Does a major villain have a personal fixation/obsession with your character? (3pts Victoria)
• · Do you (author) feel insulted, attacked, or defensive when someone does not like your character? (5pts Stephanie Meyer has been known to be like this.)
• · Does your character have markedly more romance in his/her life than any other regular character? (IE, he/she gets all the girls/guys - AKAKirk Syndrome.) (6pts every guy she meets that isn't a romantically involved vampire or werewolf or way too old for her wants to screw her.)
• · Are most (if not all) characters who don't like your character merely mean, spiteful, and/or jealous of him/her? (3pts Jessica)

Answer 2

Bella Swan was inspired by a dream Stephenie Meyer had, but she is not a direct self-insertion. While Bella does share some characteristics with Meyer, she is a separate character with her own traits and experiences. Whether Bella is a Mary Sue is subjective, as opinions on this may vary among readers.

Answer 3

Possibly. However, it is said in the books she is not particulary attractive so no.

Answer 4

Yes.

A hundred times yes.