Chapter 8 Historical Fiction

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Chapter 8Historical Fiction

• History is not just dates, accomplishments and
  battles. It is people, famous and unknown.
  
• Pages 266 - 289

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Evaluating Historical Fiction

• 1. Experiences, conflicts, and resolutions should
  accurately reflect what is known about time
  period
  
• - recreate spirit of the time
• - reflect patterns of daily living
• - express values and beliefs realistic of the
  time period
  
• - reflect cultural authenticity

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• 2. Avoid overstuffing
• - Details integrated into story so they
• dont overwhelm or detract from story Example
• Zeke was eager to get to the corner. He
  wanted to be certain that when the procession
  came by he could see President Abraham Lincoln
  who, with his running mate, Senator Hannibal
  Hamlin of Maine,(1985, p. 38)

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• 3. Not sugar coated
• 4. Worthwhile theme
• 5. Style enhances mood, conflicts, character,
  setting
  
• 6. Says something old in a new way
• 7 . Allows reader to make own judgement about
  relationships and human bonds
  
• 8. It is a good story

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Values of Historical Fiction Trade Books

• 1. Relive experiences vicariously
• 2. See courage it takes to make a stand
• 3. Gain understanding and knowledge of heritage
• 4. Gain understanding and knowledge about people,
  values, beliefs, hardships and surroundings

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• 5. Discover universal truths
• 6. Learn about continuity of events
• 7. Discover people have depended upon one another
  and have had similar needs throughout different
  historical periods
  
• 8. See that present is part of living past

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Limitations of Textbooks

• Not effective in making connection between people
  and the past
  
• people are missing
• So much to cover, justice not given to any
  person, event, or concept
  
• e.g. Holocaust allowed one paragraph in 1988
  Silver Burdett Ginn text
  

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• Limited perspective
• usually only one point of view e.g. Columbus
  presented from Eurocentric perspective
  
• Accept textbook statements without question

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"I would sooner be honestly damned than
hypocritically immortalizedDavy CrockettHis
political career destroyed because he supported
the Cherokee, he left Washington D. C. and headed
west to Texas.
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Ways Authors Write Authentically

• use of language
• rely on personal experiences
• use sources that are non-personal experiences
• research, research, research
• avoid sounding like textbooks
• consider many points of view

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Evaluating Literary Elements

• Plot
• must be authentic and credible
• often person against self and society
• conflict often develops when characters leave
  environments and move to new ones
  
• often reflect inner turmoil

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• Characterization
• must be believable
• must have some relevancy for contemporary
  readers
  
• often a minor or fictional character tells
  stories with famous people as secondary
  characters
  
• actions, thoughts, opinions must be accurate for
  time

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• Setting
• must be steeped in time and place authentic in
  every respect
  
• often described in detail but details must be
  woven into story
  
• sometimes is antagonist
• sometimes contrast settings to develop conflict
• some set happy, nostalgic mood

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Theme

• must be worthwhile and relevant
• frequent themes
• search for freedom
• love of land
• loyalty and honor
• cruelty and futility of war
• show commonalties of people on two sides of a
  conflict
  
• prejudice and hate are destructive

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• Style
• influences mood
• needs elements of suspense and adventure
• introduction often hints at intrigue
• figurative language
• allusions
• sometimes use diaries, journals, etc.

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Chronological Approach

• Norton's research finds using historical fiction
  in chronological order improves student
  understanding

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Ancient and Middle Ages3000 B.C. - 1400s

• From viewpoint of slaves and powerful people
• Themes
• loyalty is noble trait
• ignorance and prejudice have destructive
  consequences
  
• hatred, not people, is the enemy
• love is stronger than hate and it prevails
  through great trouble

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• people search for freedom and riches
• courage is more important than physical strength
• physical disability does not reduce a person's
  humanity
  
• people can overcome handicaps

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Changes in the Old World1492...

• Themes
• greed is strong motivator and destructive
• moral dilemmas must be faced and resolved
• people sacrifice for freedom
• survival depends on working together
• overcoming problems strengthens character
• war creates tragedy
• life is more than physical survival
• land is important

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Salem Witch Hunts1692...

• Conflict is usually person against society
• Themes
• prejudice is destructive
• people seek freedom from persecution
• moral obligations require people to defend rights
  of others

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American Revolution1776...

• Many have everyday people as heroes
• Most are about
• those who defend home front while others go to
  war
  
• males and females who become actively involved in
  war
  

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Early Expansion1780...

• Popular because of action
• Person against self and nature common
• Many depict strong family bonds and descriptions
  of new land

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Themes in Early Expansion Books

• Friendship and faith are important
• People want land and freedom
• People withstand great hardships for dreams
• Strong family bonds help
• Prejudice is destructive
• Strength comes from within
• Moral obligations require personal commitment

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Civil War1861...

• Person against self and society common
• Some authors examine
• experiences of slaves
• slaves seeking freedom
• impact of staying home
• prejudice
• social attitudes
• experiences of war

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Themes of Civil War Stories

• War creates tragedy
• Moral obligations
• Moral sense comes from inside, not outside
• People take pride in selves
• Prejudice is destructive
• People search for freedom
• Personal conscience allows some to kill other
  people
  
• Strong family ties help

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Western Frontier1860s...

• Themes
• People have moral obligations
• People want to own land
• Families survive together
• People need each other
• Battles won legally
• Prejudice is destructive
• Must have spiritual hope to live

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• Family and pioneer life

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• Native Americans

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Early Twentieth Century1900...

• Often about immigrants
• Often about physical and spiritual survival

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Themes in Early 20th Century Literature

• People strive for survival of physical body and
  spirit
  
• Prejudice is destructive
• Bonds exist between people who suffer injustices
• Monetary wealth does not create a rich life

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WW II1939...

• Tend to be emotional
• Themes
• people seek freedom from religious and political
  persecution
  
• prejudice is destructive
• moral obligation and conscience are strong forces

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• freedom is worth fighting for
• family love and loyalty help endure catastrophic
  experiences

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Interdisciplinary Unit

• Looking at Pioneer Life
• use art, music, games, foods, homes, remedies
  travel, etc.
  
• Activity Day in the General Store
• Use old Sears and Roebuck catalog and Foxfire
  books
  
• Activity Explore trails in westward expansion
• Activity Role play daily activities of pioneers,
  write letters to easterners
  
• Activity Use folk songs

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• Unit planning
• Looking at Colonial Times
• examine historical figure
• recreate a day in the life of ___________________
  
• compare values and problems of colonial times
  with contemporary times
  
• political and religious freedom
• fight or risks to freedom

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Too to miss

• Dont miss these sites included in the textbook
  links
  
• http//www.winslowpress.com/dearmrpresident/dmp3/
  
• http//www.smplanet.com/civilwar/civilwar.

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• Dont miss this excellent WebQuest site
  http//www.msdpt.k12.in.us/etspages/webquest/chhen
  dr/index.html
  
• Dont miss this Medieval Arms Race site by PBS
• http//www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/trebuchet
  /race.html
  

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Discussion Question

• Pick one male and one female historical character
  you would like to meet. They can be from
  different time periods
  
• 1. List three questions you want to ask each of
  them. pretend you are Oprah and you can ask
  emotional, sensitive questions
  
• 2. Tell me why you would like to have this
  person as a friend.

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• 3. If you were selected to write this persons
  eulogy, describe the person and tell why (s)he
  should be remembered e.g. how future generations
  were impacted by this persons action,
  accomplishments, etc.