The End of Progress Theology

The world of Jane Austen, with women in search of Mr. Wright, should be understood as an attempt to ameliorate the damage of the Industrial Revolution and the Enlightenment. What ultimately destroyed this new normal of romantic marriage was chemical birth control," writes Harrington. She describes how so-called emancipation has led to a hellscape of relationships where marriage at any age likely to lead to fecundity is discouraged. We don't even get asked to ask mutual respect and affection as an ideal, says Harrington.