Mr. Knightly vs. Edward Cullen

I've been thinking about the Twilight books lately (who hasn't?) and how they compare to acknowledged "great works of literature".  [Disclaimer:  Unlike some other bloggers or commentators, I have read all the Twilight books in their entirety, and thereby consider myself able to knowledgeably comment on them.]  The Twilight series is riveting, entertaining, and almost becoming a classic as we speak.  Why?  I think it is because they accurately portray the feelings of young girls/women today.  They all want an Edward to lift them out of their normalcy, treat them like a goddess, and transform them into a new, perfect being.  Literature gives us an entirely different hero though.  Mr. Knightly from Jane Austen's Emma is every bit as much a heart-throb as Edward Cullen - what makes them different?

I propose that the main difference between Knightly and Cullen is their character.  In education and station they are quite equals: both well-educated, wealthy, and handsome.  But in character, Knightly possesses what Edward lacks.  Girls reading the Twilight books may respect Edward for remaining a virgin until his wedding night (even through Bella's pleas), but he did not remain so out of virtue as much as fear of harming her.  Give her an indestructible vampire body, and I guarantee the story would have gone differently.  Mr. Knightly, however, would never consider a physical relationship with Emma before marriage.  He treated her like a person, and did not become as physically attached as Edward Cullen and Bella became.

Instead of spending his concentration and energy on learning to become physically attached to Emma (as Cullen did with Bella), Knightly concentrated on forming Emma's character.  His "badly done, Emma" did more to transform Emma into a woman with real beauty than all of Edward's flattering words and vampire bite. Knightly did not hesitate to give his opinion to Emma.  He frequently corrected her faults and led her in the right direction, so by the end of the book, he could honestly praise her and offer her his undying love.

It may be argued that Cullen possessed that same undying love for Bella as Knightly did for Emma, but I argue that it is not so.  Both Cullen and Knightly left the woman they loved, but for entirely different reasons.  Cullen left Bella to protect her because he had not previously the character to keep her safe and distant from her.  He acted on impulse and without counsel.  He left Bella vulnerable and in danger from other vampires who now knew about her friendship with the Cullens.  Knightly, on the other hand, left Emma before he promised anything more than brotherly affection for her.  He left to seek counsel from his brother about the wisdom of marrying Emma.  He returned in a few days (unlike the months Cullen was absent) and pledged his love to Emma.

Mr. Knightly and Edward Cullen share little more than education and wealth.  Knightly used his wisdom and character to shape and fashion a normal girl into a wise and beautiful women.  Cullen used his loneliness and and lust to tear a girl down until the only safe course of action was to marry him.  Who is a better role model?