Friday, January 31, 2014

A Proposal on Bent Knee by Merrillee Whren

When a person sees this image, he or she knows that it is a marriage proposal. Romance readers and writers love marriage proposals as part of a happy ending. When I was writing my latest book, I wanted to include a marriage proposal. I became curious about the origin of the bent-knee marriage proposal. So I did a little research. Although this tradition has been around for many, many years, there doesn't seem to be any historical origin for it.

The proposal on bent knee may be symbolic of a religious ceremony, knights receiving an award, or surrender. No matter what the origin, the gesture implies that one is offering himself or herself to the loved one. In my story, I wanted the heroine to be the one to propose. What do you think about having the heroine propose?
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Merrillee Whren is an award-winning author who writes inspirational romance. She is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of America. She has also been the recipient of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. Please visit her website or connect with her on Facebook.

Her latest release is A Place to Call Home.

12 comments:

  1. Merrillee, what a through provoking post. I've never considered the origins of the classic proposal before. It does seem like something that might stem from the romantic tradition of chivalry in years gone by. I love the idea of the heroine proposing. You have made me curious now. I'll have to read your book!

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    1. Helen, I just turned that book in to my editor. I don't have a clue when it will be coming out.

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  2. Love the research you did on the bended knee. I must say that's my fave part of a proposal, way more than the ring!

    I have had heroines propose in books. Depending on the characters internal conflict and arc, it can be really effective to show a change and that they are all in so to speak!

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    1. In one of my older books the heroine proposes.

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  3. Merrillee, I'd love to read that proposal as well. Although I don't think I'd have the heroine do the bent knee. Probably because I'd rather see a guy humble himself than a girl!

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  4. I never thought about it this way. Thanks!

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  5. Interesting questions! I love the idea of having the heroine propose. One of my Holiday Brides does it, but I won't say which one so as not to give away any surprises. ;)

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  6. Several of the mothers of my friends proposed. They said they got tired of the guy taking so long. In THE WEDDING PLANNERS, although the hero proposed, it was the heroine who, months later, shouted, "Let's set the date NOW!"

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  7. It reminds me of the episode of Friends when Monica tried to propose to Chandler. But she was so emotional she finally blurted out, "There's a reason why girls don't do this!" So he took over & it was quite cute.

    That said, I'm not a fan of women doing the proposing unless there's a good justification for it. Otherwise, it's just too feministic for me.

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  8. It reminds me of Jan Karon's couple Father Tim and Cynthia. He went down on one knee to propose. So sweet.

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  9. I was thinking of the Monica Chandler proposal, like Sharyn, because Monica actually got down on her knee. I didn't think of the "on the knee" as offering yourself - quite powerful. I wonder if folk still do it today...?

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  10. In Germany, we don't go down on our knees - when I first heard about it (actually, that was when prince Andrew in the UK proposed to Sarah), I thought it was truly odd. I see a marriage as being on one level, eye-to-eye. And yes, of course she can propose as well! I don't feel it's feministic - it's being on the same level . . . much of these ceremonies stem from the times when women had only one career - to marry, and they had to hook up the right man to do so. Now, a man isn't a career anymore. He's a partner. :-)

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