The use of novels in history class January 22, 2008

Being still sick, I have been doing a lot of reading these days. I also had to write some exams that my students will be taking today and tomorrow. One of the books I have read, as I mentioned before, is Rashi’s daughters by Maggie Anton. The first part of the trilogy centres around Rashi’s daughter Joheved, the second part (which I am reading now) focuses on his second daughter Miriam.

Reading the novels was an interesting experience. Anton used an impressive list of historical sources on which she based her information. I loved reading about the way people dressed, ate and worked in medieval Troyes. It was very special to get an insight in the community of which Rashi was the leader.

The books did leave me a bit confused though. The main characters in these books are wellknown historical people that actually lived. Not much is known about them. Anton made up their professions, characters and thought of all sorts of events that (as she writes in the epilogue) have no real historical basis. For example, she argues that Rashi’s son in law Juda was gay. In the back of the book she maintains that according to sources, homosexuality existed in those days so she wanted to have at least one homosexual character in her book. I strongly disapprove of drawing an image of a person that actually lived, and that has no way of possibly defending himself. I don’t think it is right to write a book about a real person and make up all sorts of things, either positive or negative ones. I think I feel less strongly if the historical novel centres around an entirely fictive character.

This leads me to the question: what is the use of historical novels in history class? Sure, I do see the huge value of such novels in making history accessible, of introducing students to circumstances in a certain age, and in having them identify themselves with the main characters. On the other hand, how much freedom can we allow writers of such novels to permit themselves? Shouldn’t we always base our lessons on historical facts only?

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