Literature….?

Annie S: Literature….?
Consider the nature of history and literature- both arenarrative forms, both generated by an author, both claim to have some truth value, what is the difference?

Answers and Views:

Answer by speranzacampbell
With History you have citations and notes, sometimes eyewitness accounts to base things off of. Things that other people can look up to verify. Literature may be based on a historical fact, but makes no pretense to stand up to deep study & verifable facts.

Answer by aida
In one sense, history IS literature, since literature is anything written. However, if you’re restricting literature to poetry, fiction (novels and short stories), and drama, a major difference is that literature doesn’t have to be factually true. Nor does it have to narrate events chronologically–or NARRATE at all. It can use words ot paint pictures or create impressions. Narrative and drama, moreover, are expected to be constructed in a way that develops a plot and rises to a climax, whereas history is simply expected to relate the events, with their causes and effects, as they happen and not adjust them to fit an artistic pattern.

Answer by Tigrisjasmine
Well, history is based on facts, documents, major events & people, and is generally verifiable. It is about documenting the course of humanity. Literature, however, does not have to be true or verifiable at all, and deals with themes of large scope – love, loyalty, betrayal, repentance, morality, etc. etc. Oftentimes, literature can be combined with history by basing a fictional story in a historical event (or on a historical person) and using that setting to flesh out the theme.