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COTT’s Jennifer Slattery: No More Cardboard Heroines
*Guest post by Jennifer Slattery
When our daughter was young, I was very cautious of the
television shows and movies she watched. It wasn’t just the language or
violence that concerned me, but the image of women they portrayed. The media
seemed to convey a constant message: “Women’s value is only skin deep.” I was
probably overly cautious, but the discussion still holds merit. What do our
choice of heroine’s say about our values as a society?
television shows and movies she watched. It wasn’t just the language or
violence that concerned me, but the image of women they portrayed. The media
seemed to convey a constant message: “Women’s value is only skin deep.” I was
probably overly cautious, but the discussion still holds merit. What do our
choice of heroine’s say about our values as a society?
At the risk of sounding cliché, we’ve come a long way … in
but a short period of time. The other day my daughter showed me a page from her
magazine. On it, there were five models, each with different skin tones and
body types.
but a short period of time. The other day my daughter showed me a page from her
magazine. On it, there were five models, each with different skin tones and
body types.
Hurrah!
I believe the heroine’s in Christian fiction are changing,
too. I’ve read novels of women with disabilities, vices they need to overcome,
backgrounds they’re not fond of. I’ve read of women doctors, single moms, those
facing divorce. To me, a sinner saved by grace, it’s encouraging to read of
women just like me—imperfect, yet strong. Struggling, yet overcoming. Imperfect
women living in an imperfect world, embraced and loved by a perfect God.
too. I’ve read novels of women with disabilities, vices they need to overcome,
backgrounds they’re not fond of. I’ve read of women doctors, single moms, those
facing divorce. To me, a sinner saved by grace, it’s encouraging to read of
women just like me—imperfect, yet strong. Struggling, yet overcoming. Imperfect
women living in an imperfect world, embraced and loved by a perfect God.
I believe our cardboard heroines from the past arose out of
honorable intentions. There was a general desire to set forth perfection in the
hopes that we, as readers, would strive for it. And there is much wisdom to
that theory, and yet, the Bible presents a different kind of hero and heroine.
honorable intentions. There was a general desire to set forth perfection in the
hopes that we, as readers, would strive for it. And there is much wisdom to
that theory, and yet, the Bible presents a different kind of hero and heroine.
Those like Abraham, who lied, thus betraying his wife.
And Moses, a prince turned murderer turned liberator.
Those like Ruth, who had to beg, well, glean, for her next
meal.
meal.
Paul, a religious tyrant who watched as Stephen the first
martyr was stoned.
martyr was stoned.
A sinful woman with an alabaster jar who was willing to
surrender something so costly when she found something of higher value—Jesus.
surrender something so costly when she found something of higher value—Jesus.
Each of these characters taught us something about grace and
something about ourselves. Through their struggles, God reveals our own. More
than that, through their triumphs, God stirs us toward victory.
something about ourselves. Through their struggles, God reveals our own. More
than that, through their triumphs, God stirs us toward victory.
I’d love to hear from you. Has there been a heroine—in a
novel, movie, or the Bible—that God used to tap deep into your heart, revealing
an area of weakness He wanted to change? Tell me about her, and what God
revealed through her.
novel, movie, or the Bible—that God used to tap deep into your heart, revealing
an area of weakness He wanted to change? Tell me about her, and what God
revealed through her.
***
*Clash of the Titles’ hostess, Jennifer Slattery, lives in
the Midwest with her husband and their teenage. She writes for the ACFW
Journal, Internet Café Devotions, Jewels of Encouragement, and the Christian
Pulse. Her work has placed in various contests and appeared in numerous
publications and compilation works. Visit her online at her devotional blog,
Jennifer Slattery Lives Out Loud (http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com)
or on Facebook at “Living by Grace,” a modern-day meet-at-the-well
community.
the Midwest with her husband and their teenage. She writes for the ACFW
Journal, Internet Café Devotions, Jewels of Encouragement, and the Christian
Pulse. Her work has placed in various contests and appeared in numerous
publications and compilation works. Visit her online at her devotional blog,
Jennifer Slattery Lives Out Loud (http://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com)
or on Facebook at “Living by Grace,” a modern-day meet-at-the-well
community.
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