The Story by the Historian

As you know, I am currently studying the field of history. I am learning about how the field developed as well as the conversations historians have had behind closed doors. (Fascinating conversations mind you). One subsequent conversation delves into the art of storytelling. Through words, the artist/historian paints a picture of the past using a canvas called paper, and a utensil called a pen. Using metaphors, imagery, and other figurative romantic language, the historian creates a tapestry of words that excite and inspire readers to re-imagine the past. Eras are painted as settings or scenes designed meticulously with intricate detail and precision. Past people, or rather characters are delicately drawn, especially their eyes. The eyes are the most important feature to a narrative. Through the eyes of our ancestors, scenes can be subdued with pale shades of gray indicating sorrow, loss, hardship, and grief. Alternatively, through their eyes, scenes can be vibrant heart-wrenching blood red violently compounded with explosive oranges and yellows. Yes, through the eyes, characters are witnesses to broad eclectic historic scenes and events. Events are enlivened with tragedy, triumph, suspense, love, and all that folderol that makes past peoples into "the soldier, the civilian, the martyr, the victim...leader, the pariah, the victor, the messiah" as Thirty Seconds to Mars so gallantly wrote. The story or rather narrative produced by these artists illustrate how people interacted with past worlds and shape how we perceive those worlds.

Objectively of course.

Makes you think doesn't it? What if the historian, X'ed out the fluff and just told it to you straight? Would we see the scene more clearly?