Is History Just Storytelling?

History, whether we like it or not, is fundamentally a narrative representation of the past. Historians do their best to reconstruct what occurred, but they cannot know 'the past-thing-in-itself.' Instead, as a narrative discourse, 'the-past-as-history' can be articulated and communicated in myriad ways. For instance, your granny recounting tales of the past is a narrative and a method of transmitting historical details.

History as a Narrative of Past Events

Put simply, history narrates what happened, the events and their consequences. While it doesn't provide explicit reasons for these events, it may offer suggestions on why they transpired. The primary goal of history is to be as accurate as possible, making history essentially a narrative of past events.

History as a Story: Beginning, Middle, and End

Contrary to popular belief, a narrative isn't solely a story with a beginning, middle, and end. History, on the other hand, has no clear starting or ending point. However, a skilled historian uses storytelling to make history more engaging and comprehensible. For example, the 'story' of Napoleon transforms into the history of Napoleon when narrated effectively. History is not a mere sequence of events; it is countless sequences interwoven into a story that helps us make sense of the world.

Constructing Our Beliefs and Desires

When we interpret historical facts, we often fill in the gaps with our own beliefs and desires. This is no different from the media, which also spins facts to suit their narrative. This process involves taking the existing facts and weaving them into a coherent story that aligns with our perspectives.

Seeking Truth through Multiple Sources

While constructing our beliefs, history requires a more rigorous approach. It is a detective story where one must gather information from various sources to uncover the truth. For example, one book might label the IRA as terrorists, while another might call them freedom fighters. To discover the truth, one must read multiple sources and evaluate the information critically. This is why U.S. history is often inaccurately portrayed; the textbooks used in U.S. classrooms are often written by individuals with a particular bias, frequently reflecting the ideologies of their respective political affiliations.

In conclusion, while history can be a creative representation of the past, it remains a crucial academic pursuit that demands truth and accuracy. By understanding the narrative nature of history, we can appreciate its complexity and the effort required to discover the truth.