The Interplay between History and Narrative in Gore Vidal’s Lincoln

Historical inquiry has always been a fundamental human pursuit, driven by the need to understand the past and its impact on the present. Central to this pursuit is the use of language and narrative, which serves as a means of reconstructing historical events that would otherwise be lost to the mists of time. While primary historical sources are crucial for a precise understanding of historical events, examining the epistemological perspective of the historical author and comprehending the nature and structure of a historical narrative are also crucial for an accurate portrayal of history. This study aims to explore the relationship between Gore Vidal’s epistemological view of history in the historical novel Lincoln and its impact on the accuracy of reflecting historical facts. Additionally, this research investigates the significance of narrative techniques, particularly the use of different historical figures as focalizers in the narrative, in constructing a historical work as a model of the past. The study demonstrates that narrative plays a significant role in producing historical meaning, and each historical narrative serves as an interpretation of a given past that may not necessarily convey all the historical truths related to that past.

Keywords:

Epistemology , history , Lincoln , Narrative , Vidal