Older hero romance novels often have strong - willed heroines. For example, in 'Pride and Prejudice', Elizabeth Bennet is not afraid to speak her mind. The heroes, on the other hand, are usually complex characters, like Mr. Darcy who appears proud at first but has a good heart. These novels also tend to be set in a particular historical context, which adds charm and authenticity.
In older hero historical romance novels, the hero is typically well - established in society. He might have a profession or a position of power. This is seen in 'Gone with the Wind' with Rhett Butler. His status affects how he approaches the heroine. The historical aspect means the story is set in a time when values and courtship rituals were different. The older hero often has to balance his own desires with the expectations of the society he lives in. His age also gives him a different perspective on love compared to younger heroes, often being more cautious yet more deeply passionate once he falls in love.
One such novel is 'The Age of Innocence' by Edith Wharton. It features a complex relationship where the heroine is older and from a different social standing. Another is 'The Time Traveler's Wife', which has an age - gap relationship between the main characters.
One characteristic is the power dynamic. Often, the older heroine may have more life experience, which can create an interesting shift in the typical power balance in a relationship. For example, she might be more confident in her decisions.
Another great one is 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte. The eponymous heroine, Jane, and Mr. Rochester have a complex relationship. Jane is a strong - willed and independent woman, and their love story is set against a backdrop of mystery and social differences.
One great older hero historical romance novel is 'Jane Eyre'. The hero, Mr. Rochester, is a complex and somewhat older figure. The story, set in a historical context, is filled with passion, mystery, and deep emotional connections. Another is 'Wuthering Heights'. Heathcliff can be considered an older hero in a way, and the novel is a classic of historical romance with its dark and brooding love story set against the Yorkshire moors.
In romance novels, the female protagonist was much older than the male protagonist, which was usually a plot arrangement. It could highlight the maturity, charm and experience of the female protagonist, and at the same time, it could make the male protagonist feel an unusual fatherly love or love. This kind of plot arrangement was also common in reality because women tended to mature later than men and had more experiences. Therefore, sometimes in novels, the female protagonist would be much older than the male protagonist. However, the specific plot arrangement and character description still had to be decided according to the theme and plot of the novel.
One common plot device is the mentor - protege dynamic. The older hero, with his more life experiences, can guide the heroine in different aspects of life, like career choices or dealing with family issues. Another is the age - gap - induced conflict. The heroine might struggle with society's perception of their relationship due to the age difference, which adds drama to the story. Also, the hero's past relationships, which he has had more time to accumulate compared to the heroine, can create interesting sub - plots as they might influence how he approaches the new relationship with the heroine.