Hayden White's view on history as fiction is that history is not just a collection of facts. Historians construct historical narratives, and in this process, they are influenced by their cultural, social, and ideological backgrounds. This is similar to the way fiction is created. In a historical account, the historian's choice of language, the plot - like sequence of events, and the characters (historical figures) are all presented in a way that is more like creating a fictional world than simply reporting objective facts. The very act of making a historical narrative involves a certain degree of invention and imagination, although it is based on historical evidence.
Hayden White sees history as having fictional elements. He argues that historians, like novelists, use narrative techniques. They select and arrange events in a way that creates a story, which is not a pure, objective representation of the past. For example, the way a historian decides to start and end a historical account is a form of construction, similar to how a novelist decides the beginning and end of a fictional story.
Hayden White believes history can be considered as a form of fiction. Historians use rhetorical devices and narrative structures, just like in fiction writing. They shape the past through their interpretations. For instance, in writing about a historical event, they might emphasize certain aspects over others based on their own perspectives, much like a fiction writer choosing what to focus on in a story to convey a particular theme or mood.
One main idea is the blurring of the boundaries between history and fiction. Hayden White argues that historical writing often involves elements of narrative construction similar to fiction. Historians, like fiction writers, select and arrange events in a certain way to tell a story.
Hayden White believes that both history and fiction use narrative techniques. In history, events are arranged chronologically and causally, just as in a fictional story. For example, a historian might show how one event led to another, much like how a plot unfolds in a novel.
It makes historians more aware of their own biases. Since Hayden White argues that history has fictional elements, researchers realize they are not just neutrally presenting facts. For example, they may be more cautious in choosing sources and interpretations.
Hayden White might view the NLR as a significant platform for discussing various theoretical ideas related to history and literature. Regarding the historical novel, he might see it as a form that blurs the boundaries between historical fact and fictional narrative. His ideas about metahistory could potentially influence how he views the historical novel's construction of the past.
I'm not sure specifically what Armond White's view on 'Pulp Fiction' is. He might have analyzed it from aspects like its unique narrative structure, the way it portrays characters, or its influence on pop culture. Without reading his exact review, it's hard to say for certain.
Hayden's main works include And Then There Were None, The Moon and Sixpence, The Ape and the Information Discoverer, and The Magician's Handbook. And Then There Were None was considered one of Hayden's most famous works. It was a novel about group adventures and horror stories. This novel tells the story of a group of strangers who encounter a series of horror events on a mysterious deserted island and how they eventually resolve these events. The Moon and Sixpence was a novel about magic and mysticism, about a scholar named Hayden and his friends who explored the universe. The Lost Ark (The Ape and the Poster) and The Magician's Handbook were about Hayden's coach and his students, and Hayden and his friends learning magic and adventure, respectively.
Liang Qichao was a famous ideologist, politician, and teacher in modern China. He held a relatively objective view of history on the issue of the creator of history. Liang Qichao believed that the development of history was not created by a specific person or group, but the result of the joint action of countless people and events. He believed that the development of history was a complicated process involving many people and events, and every factor had its own contribution and influence. Liang Qichao emphasized that although historical figures played a certain role, they were not the only creators or the only factors that determined the development of history. The development of history is an objective process. It is affected by many factors, including politics, economy, culture, society and many other aspects. Therefore, Liang Qichao believed that we should view history objectively, not believe in the exaggerated propaganda of certain figures or groups, nor ignore their contributions and influences. Only in this way can we have a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of history and leave a better historical and cultural heritage for future generations.
Hayden White in NLR might offer perspectives that are relevant to the study of historical novels. His thoughts on the role of ideology in historical writing can help in examining how historical novels incorporate and convey different ideologies. For example, if a historical novel is about a revolution, White's ideas can help us understand how the narrative is structured to promote a particular view of that event. Also, his ideas on the relationship between history and literature can enhance our understanding of how historical novels function as a hybrid form.
History can be seen as fiction in terms of the gaps and assumptions. There are many missing pieces in historical records. Historians sometimes have to make assumptions to fill these gaps, which is similar to how a fiction writer creates details to make a story complete. Also, historical events are often simplified when presented. Complex political, social and economic factors are reduced to a basic narrative, just like in a fictional story where complex ideas are sometimes oversimplified for the sake of the plot.
It makes us consider the role of chance. For instance, if Columbus had not made his voyages when he did, or at all, history would be very different. Alternative history fiction in this context shows how a single event or person can have a far - reaching impact.