History Lessons Are More Than Historical Fiction
History lessons need more than compelling stories—except perhaps in the earliest grades. While historical fiction can enrich the study of history, it should not serve as the primary method of teaching it. Here are several important limitations to keep in mind.
Characters and Modern Values
Even when historical fiction is carefully researched and major events are portrayed accurately, the characters themselves are often shaped by modern expectations. Readers are unlikely to connect with protagonists whose beliefs reflect the racism, sexism, or superstitions common in earlier eras, so authors frequently give historical characters contemporary attitudes and values. As a result, the worldview presented in historical fiction may feel more modern than historical.
Moral Values and Cultural Change
People’s values are shaped by the cultures they live in and by what brings their societies peace and prosperity. Because the material conditions of life change over time, cultural values change as well. Modern societies are not inherently morally superior to those that came before them, yet historical fiction can unintentionally reinforce that assumption.
Imperialism,…was an economic theory based on the notion that you needed to own your trading partners. Once it was established that free trade led to greater prosperity, imperial powers ceased to defend and maintain their empires, letting some possessions go free….It was a change of economic theory over the intervening ninety years that made the American and Canadian separations from Britain very different events.
Baker, Mark. Weblog post. Stories All the Way Down, Substack, Jan. 2022, gmbaker.substack.com/p/ no-you-cant-learn-history-from-historical. Accessed 22 Aug. 2024.
The Fragmentary Nature of History
History is constructed from fragments: artifacts, diaries, photographs, official documents, and other surviving evidence. Historians piece these fragments together to form narratives, but those narratives are always incomplete.
The historical record is often dominated by the voices and possessions of the wealthy, which can create a distorted understanding of the past. Evidence from poorer communities is frequently scarce, and what did exist was often made from materials that did not survive. For example, many unmarked graves may once have had wooden markers that naturally decayed over time.
Historical fiction, by necessity, presents stories as complete and coherent. Novels require resolution and continuity. Historians, however, recognize that our understanding of the past is never fully complete or certain. Historical knowledge will always remain, to some degree, fragmented.
Individual Stories vs. the Bigger Picture
Novelists have the creative freedom to focus on individuals and dramatize events. This personal focus can make historical fiction engaging and emotionally powerful. However, the study of history requires more than individual narratives.
Historians examine many perspectives and sources in order to understand the broader context surrounding events. Individual experiences matter, but they must be analyzed within the larger historical picture.
The Importance of Historical Thinking
Students need to do more than absorb historical stories—they need to learn how to think historically. The Six Historical Thinking Concepts help students analyze evidence, evaluate perspectives, understand cause and consequence, and think critically about the past.
These skills extend beyond history classrooms. They help students assess information, recognize bias, and thoughtfully engage with the messages and narratives they encounter every day.
Historical fiction can greatly enhance the study of history by bringing the past to life and fostering empathy and interest. However, it works best as a supplement to historical study, not as the sole source of historical learning.
