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| 1632 | | Date Created: Nov 18, 2004, 02:02 PM |
 Eric Flint's 1632 was a quick, enjoyable read. Not the most profound or sophisticated alternate history novel, but it was still entertaining, a lot like most of Turtledove's novels. In this one an entire city--Grantville, WV--is transported back in time and relocated in Thuringia during the Thirty Years' War. Of course, the introduction of modern weapons and culture into 17th century Germany makes for most of the story. But there's something else. Something that hit me like a ton of bricks. I think Flint accurately describes the moral outrage that a normal community of Americans might experience if they were suddenly face to face with the brutality of 17th century culture and warfare. 21st century Americans are basically "good" people. More so than your typical 17th century community. I know this may sound like heresy to some. I'm not, of course, denying the depravity of man. But I wonder if we sometimes don't overdo our criticism of our own country.
Is it possible that 21st century American people are a lot "better" than most people in earlier ages? I don't mean this in a culturally snobbish kind of way, but rather, that we have received more than earlier generations. We are the beneficiaries of a great deal of Christian cultural progress. There's a moral consciousness that we have inherited--not from "natural law" but from Christian civilization. A moral inheritance that has been building up for centuries. It's hard to shake it. I know, I know, we're not supposed to believe in cultural progress anymore. But I wonder. When these rural UMW workers found themselves in the midst of a rapine and pillage, they did the right thing. They protected the women, children, and the weak. And I think Flint was correct to suggest that this kind of moral backbone appeared odd to most 17th century soldiers and civilians. And I think he was correct in assuming that that is how a typical American community would react in the 17th century. The closest we probably come to experiencing this is when some disaster strikes a community (like a tornado or hurricane). |
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