Organize your notebook Glue assignments in Update your

Organize your notebook Glue assignments in Update your Table of Contents

Historical Fiction • Distinguishing “reel history” from “real history” can be a difficult but entertaining task • What is good historical fiction? It can be defined simply as a story that takes place in the past. Real historic events and people form the backdrop for a fictional main character… like Forrest Gump

4 elements of historical fiction 1) A wealth of accurate historical detail 2) Authenticity of characters (they seem real!) 3) Story lines that take advantage of historical setting 4) More leisurely pacing

Brainstorm… What are some of the best examples of historical fiction you’ve read or watched?

Historical Fiction • Historical Fiction is an author or film maker’s interpretation of history. • Since it is fiction, the creator can take liberties with “the facts” in order to express “the truth” that he or she wants to express • Keep in mind, history itself is a matter of interpretation. Historians must decided what facts to leave in and leave out, which people to emphasize, and from whose viewpoint the story is told.

• A key to a successful piece of historical fiction is plausibility. • No one wants to be reading a book or watching a movie and thinking to themselves… this is only make-believe. • Audiences want to think this is plausible! This could have really happened this way!

Forrest Gump • An example of historical fiction • 1994 Academy Award winning movie for Best Picture • The distinction between history and Hollywood is even more difficult to discern in Forrest Gump than in most historical fiction.

• Usually in “historical” films, actors play historical figures. • However, in Forrest Gump the images of the fictional main character is skillfully placed into the actual news footage of historical events. • For example, Forrest meets Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon. We see him talking to the real men. This insertion is done so well that we may wonder why we never noticed Forrest Gump in the footage before? !

Forrest Gump looks at major historical issues from the 1950 s to the 1980 s • Forrest takes an active role in some historical events that occur during his life, in others he merely observes or even passes by as an event unfolds. Historical Events in Forrest Gump: • Paul “Bear” Bryant • Vietnam War • Integration of University of Alabama (Vivian Malone & James Hood) • Ping-Pong Diplomacy – April 6, 1971 • Watergate • Hurricane Carmen 1974

Historical Events in Forrest Gump: continued… Elvis performs on TV 1956 Forrest wins the Congressional Medal of Honor Speaks at Vietnam protest rally in Washington D. C. U. C. Berkeley (birth of Free Speech Movement protesting Vietnam War) • Black Panther Party (visit headquarters in Oakland, CA) • • • Space Race – Man’s 1 st Step on the Moon (Neil Armstrong) • Nixon exits the White House • Song “Tie a Yellow Ribbon” starts an American tradition

Forrest Gump Final 1) The movie Forrest Gump focuses on many events from American history. Pick one historical event and explain why it is important. Also, explain how it is depicted in the movie. 2) Identify and explain different ways Lieutenant Dan and Bubba related differently to the war in Vietnam.