Lost in 1812
What is it about inspirational historical fiction that gets women so sappy? Why do these authors sell so many books? Who wants to live in the past? What’s the big deal? What does the 19th century have that the 21st doesn’t?
Innocence. That’s the difference. The women are not brazen. They still *blush*, and they actually wear undergarments (sort of). They are not showing so much skin that the men are blushing. They are not chasing men and throwing themselves at them. They are concerned with being a woman of virtue. They are concerned with being a GODLY wife and mother and with having a godly husband.
These differences make these books appealing to those who feel that we have lost much in this so-called progressive generation. Progression is only good when it makes us better. What we have now is not better, no matter how good we women are at lying to ourselves and each other.
Men have not changed what they want in wives. No one wants to marry the girl who has given herself to everyone and shows no signs of slowing down. They still want something to be left to
the imagination. Most probably think a home-cooked meal is a lovely bonus.
Perhaps we should take a page out of 1812 an reinvent 21st century womanhood with that as an example. It doesn’t mean we have to pretend to be helpless or stupid, although it doesn’t hurt to make a man feel needed. It does mean we should stop using sexuality to manipulate men. It means we should cover up and guard our tongues. It means we should strive more to be a Proverbs 31 woman, and less like a Cosmo girl. For a good example, read The English Garden
Series by Lori Wick.