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September 28, 2005
amanda's narrative on Cronon
William Cronon’s article in JAH, “A Place for Stories: Nature, History and Narrative” tells the story of postmodern environmental history and postmodern historian’s various methods of narrative discourse. What Cronon is saying is sublimely simple; that history can be told from different viewpoints and that narrative form often breathes life into otherwise meaningless chronologies by pitting human against Mother Nature. Without the human element of the story, we aren’t all that interested in the natural elements. Storms like Rita and Katrina come and go, but without people in the story, who cares? It’s how you tell the story that has some people distressed. But I think history, not just environmental history, has always struggled with the dilemma of how to represent the evidence in such a way that one can be accurate and still show that the facts mean something deeper. Everyone has their own truth to tell.
I believe it is in our nature as humans to create an act, or scene, as Cronon writes, with a beginning, middle, and an end. We humans don’t seem to like things without conclusions, even if they are unfortunate ones, such as Bonnifield’s down spiralling story of the Dust Bowl. We are therefore compelled to create history in some capacity. We cannot simply repeat the dates or order of events and then dismiss them. We need context and conclusion in order to care. We choose what to leave in, what to leave out, with care, sympathy, accuracy and necessary detail. We each paint the picture we want our audience to see.
It has been said, however, that as historians we must earnestly try not to impose ourselves; our political views, personal grievances, preclusions, etc., on history such as to “create” it. But this avoidance of creating our own history is not really possible, and it negates the “humanness” of history. As sensitive creatures in a dynamic world, our viewpoints alter over time. As generations pass we can no longer hold fast to ideas and mores that were preferable, if not fashionable, some time ago. We can only see history through our own unique and time appropriate lens. Therefore, we have something original to offer in the making of history; another monograph to be considered along with the many versions and viewpoints of the same subject. In telling our own stories, we are history.
Ideally each historian is able to arrive at a new conclusion; one that has been carefully researched and thought out, and is well written. My version will certainly be no better or worse than another’s, but will be unique and should stand together proudly with the others. I’m not saying it will be easy, and perhaps it will take me four drafts as it did Cronon, but I’m looking forward to telling my own story.
Posted by avonargy at September 28, 2005 07:48 PM