After the discussions in class I believe that my understanding of the differences between history and fiction has actually gotten worse; no longer are the two completely separate ideas. The line between what is history and what is fiction has become blurred in my mind and the idea of being able to separate them now seem preposterous.
I realize that some may disagree with me when I say this, but I don't think it will ever be possible to dissect the differences between history and fiction in a broad context, possibly even in ragtime. Elements of both history and fiction are so interwoven within each other that it is impossible to distinguish them and that's how they were meant to be. I believe furthering the discussion of attempting to distinguish the two is pointless since they can both take so many forms. There is no need to even attempt since it will only spur a debate that can't possibly end with some ultimate realization, because there simply can't be one. This is just the nature of such concepts; the concepts of history and fiction were created with the ability for them to be defined in different ways so that they could work together in the way they do. That is why ragtime works as well as it does, because it can balance the two without making the events seem awkward or questionable.
The question arises: is this an "elevation" of fiction as we typically understand it (as "important" and relevant as history)? Or is it a devaluation of traditional history (as "mere fiction" with no access to "actual truth")?
ReplyDeleteIs it possible to reconcile these options? What might a "postmodernist history" look like? Is it possible that fiction that improvises on the factual record (such as Doctorow's) can actually serve "as" history--to engage readers in a meaningful contemplation of an actual and relevant past? How much does it *matter* that Coalhouse Walker as such is fictional? Can this fictional character illuminate important historical truths? Or do we go toward the other, more despairing end--"there is no truth! all history is myth-making and fabrication!"?