Arya on History as Fiction and Other Cool Things

In "False Documents," E.L. doctorow states that there is no common distinction between nonfiction and fiction and that instead, "there is only narrative." History is generally based around what we might consider a fact. A general view of the world from a point of objectivity. We don't really know if this point is objective or not, but we believe it to be so. In this way, do we really know what's fact and what's not? Can this point of objectivity even exist? Many facts that human civilization have believed to be true have in fact been disproved and refuted time and time again. We all know times where history doesn't exist. Our view of the universe, our understanding of the human body, and our interpretation of recent history are all facts that have been changed time and time again. We may have false facts surrounding us at all times. As argued in "False Documents," fact is often communicated through language or film. It only exists in the m...

The introduction of Coalhouse Walker into the novel dramatically shifts the course of the novel, allowing the author to explore the realm of race and the revision of common social behaviors. In turn, this shift alters the perspective of the characters towards people of color. Walker is first introduced at the start of Chapter 21, looking for Sarah with a sense of self-importance. Doctorow even states, "there was something disturbingly resolute and self-important in the way he asked her if he could please speak with Sarah" (Doctorow 156). What could be so disturbing about a black man having a sense of self-importance and firmness of character?  The family, especially Father, seems to perceive that Walker is stepping out of his "assigned place" in society. The idea that escaping social normality is a reckless behavior scares Father, so much so that he deems that Coalhouse Walker probably doesn't even know he's black. His formalities and general demeanor irks F...