the question of narrative in contemporary historical theory/ Hayden White


  • Narrative has been viewed neither as theory nor as a method, but rather as a form of discourse
  • "historical" narrative differs from "fictional" narrative on the basis of its content not form
  • The content in historical narratives are real events that are "found" but they can also be "constructed"-- verbal fictions
  • Historical narrative follow empirically validated facts, but also need imaginative filling
  • Narrative will be a result of the application of a proper historical method. 
  • Dissertative discourse -- interpretation / Narrative discourse -- representation
  • Annales school members like Braudel criticized narrative history
  • Follows postmodernist debate that there is no truth in history
  • History is literary artifacts - distinguishes between history and story
  • Historical narrative -- medium not the message

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