Help with my book, please?

Question

My story is set in the early Edwardian period. The question I wish to ask is, let's say the daughter of a clergyman becomes pregnant by some rake, she goes to her friend's house, which is located is a place far from societ, to give birth, and send the child away to another family, or something, in fear of being rebuked by society for her scandal. She wants to keep things secret. But then, the heroine's uncle finds out. What would he do? Would he, a religious man, allow the heroine to send the child away as a bastard. Or, would he tell her to take responsibility, marry the father, and give the child a name?

This leads to my second question. There are two men in the story: the rake, and the guy who really loves the heroine. If the good guy knew that the heroine had gotten pregnant by another man, do you think he would hate her-be disgusted of her and abandon her? Or if he continues to love her...would it be unrealistic? I want to be realistic, but I'm afraid that having the man

remaining in love with her would be rather....UNrealistic. Like in Tess of D'
uberville (sp?). The man immediately took a disliking to Tess once finding out she wasn't a virgin. ANd in every movie and book I read, men tend to react negatively to women who were not virgins. What do you think? Do you think there is hope of this section of the book being realistic if I make this guy remain in love with the heroine? For those who have been in love, is it possible?

Answer 1

For the uncle first: the most probable thing to do would be to tell her to take responsibility and marry the father. This is valid as long as the father hasn't vanished from her life. If he's gone, then it depends on the uncle's character. If he was a really religious person, he would try to help her find a way to keep the child; if was a puritan, he would tell her to give the child for adoption, besause he would consider society's demands more powerful than christian humanism.
As for the man that loves the heroine, I think he would feel betrayed and maybe angry at first - and he would even go away - but after a (maybe long) period of time he would understand that only his egoism was hurt and that his love for the heroine was real. Then, he could talk to her about all these and be with her.
It's possible, you know, for a person to love so deeply, and, even if there has been a time that he/she felt he hated his beloved one, he/she can continue love him/her and care for him/her. This isn't unrealistic.There is true, indelible love, trust me I've lived it and I've seen it around me.
I hope I helped.

Answer 2

First, the uncle's reaction would depend upon how involved he is with his niece and her family. If they are a close knit family, he might assume the position of a fatherly type figure and respond accordingly. Also, respond according to his morals and values, which are obviously affected by the time period he lives and his religious inclinations. This is a big deal, being pregnant out of wedlock (was she raped?) A close family will do their best to protect her but will most likely also isolate her from the outside world, especially while she's pregnant. It is common to send an unwed pregnant woman away, preferrably to a relative who lives far away, in the country, to give birth and then another married relative would raise the child.

If the uncle and all male relatives are extremely, rigidly religious but not emotionally attached to the girl or her unborn child, she'd likely be shipped off and arrangements made to give the baby away, to an orphanage or to shun the girl and her baby.

Your second point: The man who truly loves her. His reactions also depend upon his religious inclinations. A proper gentleman who is more concerned with his standing in society and avoiding scandal would likely avoid the girl, despite his attraction - IF those things proved to be a priority for him. However, it's not impossible that his affection for the girl would outweigh the other costs and he might marry her, take on the role of father to her child, etc.

This can all be portrayed realistically if written with care and research for the time period.

Good Luck.

Answer 3

the uncle should tell her to marry and give the child a name..
the guy who loved her , loved her so much that he could accept her in any condition...may be he wanted her to leave the baby so that he may not see him and remember the awful time...that would create a problem for heroin who loves her child but afraid to lose her lover also and then she chooses the lover and leaves the kid in an orphanage...