Henty Essay Contest Winners
THIRD PLACE WINNER
Richard Rohlin
GOD-GIVEN GENDER ROLES in the WORKS of G.A. HENTY
Secular humanists and feminists have launched an attack at the foundations of the
family. They seek to eliminate any distinctions in the God-ordained roles for men
and women. Many men degrade women, failing to honor them as precious “weaker
vessels.” To build strong families parents must teach and reinforce the foundational
principles of God’s design for the genders. G.A. Henty’s writings depict
with clarity the Divine distinction in roles for men and women.
Henty’s main female characters exemplify proper femininity in their roles as
homemakers and ladies of integrity and courage. The men in his stories function
as protectors, self-sacrificial providers, and heroes of sterling character. Henty’s
literary legacy encourages boys to deeds of valor and girls to ladylike grace.
“Who can find a virtuous woman?” asks king Lemuel in Proverbs 31. A true
lady – like a flawless ruby – has great worth and value due to the rarity of such
a woman. God formed Eve of Adam’s side under his arm to be cherished and protected
by him. Like a delicate porcelain vase, a true lady’s unique combination of
beauty, strength, and fragility makes her worthy of the highest esteem.
Feministic popular culture pushes women to succeed in a career or job. This often
causes them to neglect the responsibilities of a homemaker. G.A. Henty’s works,
however, clearly affirm this calling. Out on the Pampas: Or, the Young Settlers
demonstrates a strong gender-based contrast in roles. When the Hardy family
determines to settle in the South American Pampas the two boys learn to hunt, shoot,
and farm. But the Hardy daughters learn a different set of skills. Before leaving
for South America, Maud and Ethel Hardy spend their time learning to cook, sew,
milk, and churn butter. Mrs. Hardy fulfills her sense of duty to pass on critical
home-making skills which would aid her daughters both in the immediate and distant
future. Maud and Ethel become well-equipped to support and aid their future husbands.
But homemaking skills alone do not make a woman into a true lady. G.A. Henty said
that for a man to qualify as a gentleman, he must first be a Christian. He applied
this same qualification for a gentlewoman. A Christian lady consistently deports
herself as though she resided in the physical presence of her Savior. This awareness
of God’s presence in her life causes her to cultivate an important character
quality known as integrity.
The philosopher Heraclitus once described integrity as conducting yourself so that
your thoughts and actions match with your principles and can ‘bear the light
of day.’ The Huguenot Claire de Valecourt of St. Bartholomew’s Eve: A Tale
of the Huguenot Wars represents this facet of victorious womanhood. When
her father commands her engagement to a man she does not love, Claire willingly
submits herself to his authority. During the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre,
Claire’s father falls slain. Her personal integrity causes her to honor her
father and obey his wishes even though she loved another and her father is no longer
alive. She does what she knows is right though none could blame her for doing otherwise.
Godly noblewomen understand that courage must always accompany integrity. In the
Bible, James 4:17 says, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth
it not, to him it is sin.” A lady possesses the courage to do what
is right – even in the face of adversity. Popular culture seeks to pressure godly
young ladies to compromise their standards and convictions. God’s gentlewomen
courageously stand firm in the truth of Scripture and honor their godly heritage.
Marie de St. Caux of Henty’s In the Reign of Terror: The Adventures of a Westminster
Boy shows courage in the face of death. The young Marie becomes betrothed
to Victor de Gisons. Shortly thereafter the French Revolution takes place and the
authorities execute Marie’s aristocratic parents. Marie and her two sisters
assume disguises with the help of young Harry Sandwith and attempt to wait out the
storm in Paris. A former guest at her father’s chateau recognizes Marie and
denounces her as an aristocrat. The villain Lebat promises her freedom if she would
marry him. Marie refuses, choosing death rather than marriage to such a scoundrel.
But young Sandwith devises a plan for her escape that requires Marie to pretend
reluctant consent to Lebat’s proposal rather than a certain fate at the guillotine.
She decides, however, that if her escape fails she would face death rather than
do what she knows is wrong. Her courage is rewarded and at length she returns to
her fiancé .
In this same story, Henty’s Harry Sandwith exemplifies the masculine role of
protector. Harry came from England to serve as a companion for the sons of the Marquis
de St. Caux. When these boys fled the country Harry refused to accompany them. He
chose to remain in Paris where he might offer assistance to the three St. Caux girls
who would lack natural protectors in the event of their parents’ arrest and
execution. The Marquis at first insisted that Harry leave the country while he had
the opportunity. Despite this warning Harry determined to protect the girls no matter
the danger to his personal safety. Harry managed to save the lives of the girls
on multiple occasions and at last delivered the youngest two safely to England while
the eldest remained in France with her new husband. Harry performed his God-given
role as a self-sacrificing protector of those weaker than himself even though they
had no natural claims upon him.
This stands in stark contrast to the self-serving attitude in the present time.
Simple acts of service such as carrying items for a lady or opening a door for her
demonstrate honor, courtesy, and protection. Such actions have become the exception
rather than the rule. As men have failed to protect women, the women take upon themselves
pressures for which God did not design them. Because of this many women have capitulated
to militant feminism, entered the workforce, and taken upon themselves the role
of provider which God ordained for men. In his works, Henty clearly depicts men
as the providers.
For a man to fulfill the duties of provider requires both unselfishness and diligence.
The character John Whitefoot of Orange and Green: A Tale of Boyne and Limerick
typifies the godly provider. In this story, Henty’s hero half-starves himself
to feed a group of children placed under his charge when the city of Londonderry
comes under siege by the army of King James. Upon the exhaustion of the city’s
food supply, John determines to find nourishment for the children under his care
or die in the attempt. He risks his life to go into the enemy camp where he finds
a friend who feeds him, then gives him food to take to his little charges. John
repeats this act of self-sacrifice and bravery multiple times until the lifting
of the siege.
God designed men not only as protectors and providers, but as true heroes. Henty
best defined true heroism when he said:
“To be a true hero you must be a true Christian. To sum up, then, heroism is
largely based upon two qualities — truthfulness and unselfishness.... True
heroism is inseparable from true Christianity, and as a stem towards the former
I would urge most strongly and urgently the practice of the latter,” (The Boy’s
Guide to the Historical Adventures of G.A. Henty, 2003).
Henty provides an example of Christian heroism in Winning His Spurs: A Tale of the
Crusades. The Saracens capture Sir Cuthbert while he was serving under King
Richard I during the Third Crusade. They offer Sir Cuthbert his freedom if he will
forsake Christianity and convert to Islam. He refuses, counting it better to die
as a Christian knight than to forsake his faith. Saladin, however, sees his youth
and hopes that prolonged Islamic influence will convert him. He enslaves Sir Cuthbert,
who later escapes. Through it all, Sir Cuthbert never entertains the thought of
abandoning his belief in Christ. He remains true to his God and his country despite
the prospect of impending death or slavery.
G.A. Henty captivated the imagination of his readers while depicting with clarity
the God-given distinctions between men and women and their corresponding roles.
He also showed that godly role models – both true Christian ladies and gentlemen
– must demonstrate utter and complete devotion to Christ. Henty’s characters
teach his readers the true meanings of manhood, womanhood, and heroism. Parents
desiring to see their sons mature into men of heroic chivalry and their daughters
grow into ladies of noble character will find the works of G.A. Henty a most valuable
asset in their family library.
ABOUT RICHARD ROHLIN
Richard W. Rohlin is a 15-year-old voracious reader of G.A. Henty books. His father
ordered the entire G.A. Henty collection from Vision Forum and gave it to him last
Christmas and is now finishing his 31st book. His friends are also avid
G.A. Henty readers. Richard received Christ as his Savior three weeks before his
fourth birthday. At the age of 13, he surrendered his life to the Gospel ministry
and preaches frequently in Baptist churches. He enjoys Lincoln-Douglas style debate
competitions and fencing. He enjoys playing the violin and participates in the music
ministry of his family. For three years now he has been a member of the Reflections
Homeschool Choir and has performed in Washington D.C., and at many events for U.S.
veterans. He actively participates in political campaign activities for candidates
supporting biblical values. His current plans include attending Patrick Henry Christian
College.
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