Historical Fiction Analysis

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The Complete Novel Which is the best type of novel—one that entertains, educates, or exhorts? With historical fiction, a person needs not choose. One definition of historical fiction states that its author must write at least fifty years after the setting of his or her story. Writing based on research, the author also must not have any first-hand experience in the time period of the tale (Johnson). This differentiates novels written during their own time period and novels written after the setting of the story. Historical fiction, however, exceeds the quality of both novels from the past and contemporary novels. Combining enjoyment, knowledge, and perspective, historical fiction ranks as the most beneficial type of novel. Historical fiction…show more content…
Historical fiction immerses a person into a history lesson with rich narrative added and stale details subtracted. Because the reader can more easily remember an interesting story than a collection of disconnected facts, he will more likely retain information about any given time period from a novel than from a history lesson or even a biography. Likewise, historical fiction gives a reader priceless insight into the life of a different era. For example, the classic Johnny Tremain leads the reader through the events leading up to the American Revolution, such as the organization of a club of revolutionaries that orchestrated the Boston Tea Party (Forbes 126). Because the reader observes the unfolding of the war through Johnny’s eyes, she can better learn the details of pre-revolutionary life. The interest sparked by a story such as Johnny Tremain might even prompt a reader to do more research on the time period, expanding his knowledge in a unique way. Moreover, historical fiction guides the reader into a better understanding of the motives of historical figures. For instance, a novel from the perspective of a fictional advisor of King George III would give the reader insight into the king’s motives for issuing seemingly heartless decrees, such as the Tea Act (Snodgrass) that prompted the Boston Tea Party. With this…show more content…
Today’s distracted world loses many important lessons that a reader rediscovers by reading historical fiction. A Single Shard, set in twelfth-century Korea, reminds the reader of the importance of respect. Although orphaned and poverty-stricken, the young protagonist never fails to honor his master and mistress with both his words and his actions (Park 30, 40). Americans everywhere would greatly benefit from this character’s example. Moreover, historical fiction opens windows into people’s souls. In Johnny Tremain, readers learn what the boys feel before, after, and during their tossing of tea into the river at the Boston Tea Party (Forbes 146-149). Placing themselves into the lads’ shoes, readers realize the truth: even across the centuries, people remain the same at heart. In contrast, novels set in the world of today teem with unwholesome ideas. Because society endorses behaviors such as homosexuality and abortion, many authors writing about twenty-first century America will incorporate its warped principles into their stories. Novels set in time periods of the past include the pure ideals of the past, such as diligence, honor, and active home life. Immersing himself in these principles, a reader may become a godlier person. Historical fiction fills reader’s minds with valuable insight lacking in other types of
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