Martha discusses the French-Indian War with Mr. Coleman, learning of his wife’s death in the process. She thinks to herself, “History is written by the men who live. Not the ones who die” (p. 305). Do you agree with her? Has this changed at all since her day?
I agree with this statement. Often it’s the politicians, etc. giving the orders for the conflict. They aren’t actually physically involved in the conflict. They set the agenda and sit back and watch. The men fighting the battle are the ones that actually sacrifice and die. This leaves the politicians and media to write their interpretation of the history of the conflict.
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I agree with Marcia and will add the common statement made by historians - History is (usually) written from the viewpoint of the victorious. The defeated and/or minority voices are silenced. Years ago I read a book that included notes from women who lived during the American Revolution. Their telling of events was insightful. They were the ones who stayed home, farmed the land, kept the family alive and fended off British soldiers. Their real stories would make a great historical fiction narrative.
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I so agree with you, Marcia. I actually paused when I read this statement in the book. We have more media outlets today and we can be at the conflict not just hear about it.
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I believe history tends to be written by the victors and often incorporates biases, exaggerations, and incomplete facts. It often takes time for the scholars to sift through the details and separate fact from fiction.
I thought it interesting that Martha tallied the number of births she delivered each year noting with pleasure when female births outnumbered the males. Midwives of the era cautioned that an abundance of male births were indicative of a future war, and one particular midwife noted that the boys were “the cannon fodder of kings.”
I agree with the statement above. Still have senseless wars where so many die and to no avail. History seems to repeat itself. Sad.
I also agree with Marcia that often the politicians when the war or just the battles they helped strategize or at agree to participate results in victory they glory shines on them not soldiers who fought it nor those men and women even if in the background as supporters such as the medical personnel. This is still true today but sometimes a nonfiction or fiction book or film will highlight their importance without forgetting the brave soldier.
Sadly, I don’t think much as changed in the way that we regard history. It will always be revisionist for someone.
Marcia hit the nail on the head with her answer.