Historical fiction often humanizes Edison. Instead of just seeing him as a great inventor with a list of achievements, we get to see his flaws, his hopes, and his dreams. We can read about his family life, how he managed his team of inventors in his laboratory. It can also show his competitiveness, like in the race to develop electrical systems, which gives a more rounded picture of who he was and how he functioned in that era.
Historical fiction with Thomas Edison as the subject could tell stories from different perspectives, maybe from the viewpoint of his assistants or rivals. It might also incorporate fictional events that could have potentially happened during his time and work.
One great historical fiction about Thomas Edison is 'The Last Days of Night' by Graham Moore. It weaves a fictional story around the race to electrify America, with Edison as a central figure.
Historical fiction fills in the gaps. We know some facts about Nefertiti from historical records, but not everything. Fiction can create a more complete picture. For example, it can imagine her daily life, her emotions.
It humanizes the events. For example, through fictional characters' experiences, we can feel the fear and confusion of that day more vividly.
It allows us to experience history from different perspectives. In historical fiction, we can see how ordinary people might have lived during a particular era. For instance, in books set during the Industrial Revolution, we can understand the hardships of factory workers. Also, it can bring to life historical figures in a more nuanced way, showing their personalities and motives beyond what simple historical records might tell us. This all contributes to a deeper understanding of history.
The Thomas Edison story is one of great innovation. Edison was not only the inventor of the light bulb. He also made contributions to the development of the phonograph and motion pictures. He had a workshop where he and his team worked tirelessly. His inventive spirit inspired generations to come. He was not afraid of failure and saw each unsuccessful attempt as a step closer to success.
One sad aspect of Thomas Edison's story was his rivalry with Nikola Tesla. Edison promoted direct current (DC) while Tesla advocated for alternating current (AC). Edison tried to discredit AC through some unethical means, like promoting the use of AC in the electrocution of animals to show it was dangerous. This bitter rivalry was sad as it pitted two great minds against each other in a rather unproductive and cut - throat way.
Historical fiction fills in the gaps. We know some facts about Alexander the Great, but fiction can add details about his emotions, like his pride in victory or his grief at loss. For example, in 'The Persian Boy', we get a sense of his personal relationships which official history might not cover.
Literature historical fiction helps by bringing history to life. Instead of just dry facts, it shows real people in those historical situations. For example, in 'The Red Badge of Courage', we can feel what it was like for a young soldier during the American Civil War. It makes history more relatable.
It humanizes the experience. By creating fictional characters in the context of WW1, we can see how individuals were affected. For example, in 'All Quiet on the Western Front', we feel the fear and despair of the soldiers.