When Loyalties Collide
I made the decision to quit reading a book today. Something, I seldom do with fiction books. Yet three quarters of the way through, I decided that I couldn't handle the direction the story was going. I abhorred the decisions the protagonist was making, and in disgust I quit reading.
This civil war story was a touching portrayal of what life must've been like in Richmond, VA, preceding and during the War Between The States. I appreciated the author's insights to the reality of the problems that generation faced, and the author wrote in smooth and intriguing manner. So what is my problem?
When a young woman is torn between her love for her father's black servants and the prejudices she's grown up with, she must make her own choice between what is right. However, the Civil War began because people held different ideas and philosophies. Similarly, my actions would have been different than the heroines. When Caroline chose to become a Union spy in order to help the cause and so her father's slaves would find freedom, her actions also increased the likelihood of her father, fiancé, and cousins, all Confederate soldiers, getting captured or killed. It was at this point that I put the book down and contemplated why I didn't want to finish reading the story. While Carolyn's love for her servants is admirable, her betrayal of her family's trust and loyalties is heart-rendering. Her struggles are painted realistically, and if a lesson should be learned it is perhaps how small steps will lead us far away from the place we ought to be. In the end of the book, Carolyn's fiancé recognized that he still loved her and forgave her. The problem is that, were I in his shoes, I might forgive and still love, but it would be a long time before my heart would safely trust her.
This civil war story was a touching portrayal of what life must've been like in Richmond, VA, preceding and during the War Between The States. I appreciated the author's insights to the reality of the problems that generation faced, and the author wrote in smooth and intriguing manner. So what is my problem?
When a young woman is torn between her love for her father's black servants and the prejudices she's grown up with, she must make her own choice between what is right. However, the Civil War began because people held different ideas and philosophies. Similarly, my actions would have been different than the heroines. When Caroline chose to become a Union spy in order to help the cause and so her father's slaves would find freedom, her actions also increased the likelihood of her father, fiancé, and cousins, all Confederate soldiers, getting captured or killed. It was at this point that I put the book down and contemplated why I didn't want to finish reading the story. While Carolyn's love for her servants is admirable, her betrayal of her family's trust and loyalties is heart-rendering. Her struggles are painted realistically, and if a lesson should be learned it is perhaps how small steps will lead us far away from the place we ought to be. In the end of the book, Carolyn's fiancé recognized that he still loved her and forgave her. The problem is that, were I in his shoes, I might forgive and still love, but it would be a long time before my heart would safely trust her.
Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Prov 31:10-12
1 Comments:
I ask this with a smile and only to spark a talk, and do remember that I have no idea what book this is much less have I read a word of it.
So lets say she believes she is doing the right thing (right as in the thing God would want her to do)by working to free the slaves. If it does bring harm to family or friends is it still not the right thing to do? Matthew 10:34-39
Just looking for your thoughts.
jason
By Anonymous, at 9:51 AM
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