Trouillot Silencing The Past Analysis

Novick states that while the typical understanding of a myth is something that is considered untrue or factual. He, on the other hand, views the idea of a myth as being a tool that can back historical objectivity as it works to rid historians and history of bias views of an event (Haskell, 3-4). Haskell states that his problem with Novick’s view of the definition of myth and objectivity. While Novick feels that objectivity shows a flaw, as a historian way of viewing and writing history from an opinionated stance, Haskell states that his view on the way Novick views the “myth of objectivity” is nothing more than a way for historians to “professionalize their discipline, enhance their dignity, and maximize their incomes” (Haskell,

In the article Half-Measures Won’t Erase the Painful Past of Our Monuments, by Holland Cotter, cotter describes the connotations of historical monuments from the past and how it impacts the present by using rhetorical choices such as ethos, pathos, and a neutral tone, to relate to those who have been impacted by the history and to spread more awareness about their history. The government’s actions on whether the monuments convey a positive or negative messages, is not satisfying, which is related to the title “Half-Measures Won’t Erase the Painful Past of our Monuments”. Through the use of pathos, Cotter relates to readers who have been impacted by the people who are being celebrated by monuments, by referring to the messages monuments

In “Clearing Paths to the Past” the author tells stories of the past how it is his duty to clear the sidewalk, just like his grandfather did. The narrator believes that we should hold dear to us the hard work people before us have done. We should keep working hard to help everyone else out and they’ll do the same. In “To be of use” the author surrounds their self with positive, hard working people. They don’t stand back while everyone else is doing something.

Throughout the course of history, important events litter the ground as such common knowledge that the true power of such events becomes masked. So many years deemed crucial to the development of mankind have been written about to the point of deterioration of the stature of the events contained within said years. The unsung heroes, however, are brushed aside as a moot point in the history of the world. 1949 carries one such tune, with events that not only altered history at that point in time, but continue to impact the world today. Harry Truman and the policies he introduced in 1949 continue to shape our social and political worlds.

The 8th grade class took a 4 day trip to Washington. We did many things to explore Washington D.C. including visiting monuments. Some people think differently of how a monument should be made. Good monuments to some people could be to make people remember about the person or thing being remembered or to just reflect the person’s life or importance. In “The Follower Problem” by David Brooks, David thinks a good monument should show power and authority.

If you go to Washington D.C. you can see all these different memorials that all stand for something different. You have the Lincoln memorial, Washington memorial, and so on. Then if you head to the west some you will find Mount Rushmore, which have the heads, of what people believed, the best presidents carved into the mountainside. When you look at all these great memorials that we have built to honor the people of the past you can’t help but feel some sense of awe. The thought that these great people once lived in the same country as you and that the past really did happen.

Monuments that are constructed in order to give commendation to people, places, or events are located all over the globe. It is very possible for someone to find a few in their very own town. Although there may be negative controversy on certain monuments, many throughout the world have changed individual’s lives tremendously in a beneficial way. One monument in particular has stood tall through it all and has had so much positive effect on millions of people from the beginning of time. One hundred and thirty years later this monument continues to impact people’s lives from all over the world.

History is a novel idea that has been a continuous idea throughout our time in class. We have gone over what history means to us, the students; as well as the authors and filmmakers we have studied. For me, before this class, History merely meant what we

The need to memorialize events or people is complex; in some cases, monuments honor moments of great achievement, while in other cases, monuments pay homage to deep sacrifice. A monument 's size, location, and materials are all considerations in planning and creating a memorial to the past. In any case, the need to honor or pay homage to a specific person or event is prevalent within society. A monument has to mean something to the society it is place in. The location of a monument is perhaps the most important aspect of creating a successful monument to honor and show respect to a person or event.

For instance, Confederate monuments would allow generations to see that America isn’t “a place reserved for people who still want to spit our country, but rather a place for education that we can learn from the ugly protraction of our history” (Lanktree). Often, we talk about learning from the past so that the same mistakes won’t occur in the future. This specifically can be represented through these monuments; by having a symbol of the past where racism occurred, it serves as a reminder of what discrimination can do when one side is filled with bigotry. Having a place where one can learn about the effects of someone’s wrongdoings can allow today’s people to decide for themselves the future they want to create. Additionally, the author of the article Keep Confederate monuments, but put their horrific history on stage describes how Americans have been “willfully blind” about racial justice and that the statues could be used as reminders of the “catastrophic consequences” (Cose).

In the chapter, How to Tell a True War Story, he emphasizes this a lot. “In many cases a true war story cannot be believed. If you believe it, be skeptical. It’s a question of credibility. Often the crazy stuff is true and the normal stuff isn't, because the normal stuff is necessary to make you believe the truly incredible craziness.”

Human beings often claim to be searching for the truth. The truth often entails finding the right answer, choice, or formula. The search for truth develops a tendency to settle for the easiest choice—a false truth; more often than not, a false truth goes unquestioned in order to remain benighted. Concerning the false truth in The Things They Carried, information—specifically memories, must be sorted into two categories: those stories that are true and those which are simply glorified recreational war stories. It would be a near impossible task due to the extent that the tales mix.

O'Brien shows us that "In many cases a true war story cannot be believed. If you believe it, be skeptical. It's a question of credibility. Often the crazy stuff is true and the normal stuff isn't, because the normal stuff is necessary to make you believe the truly incredible craziness." (pg. 71).

It is often difficult to convince people that there is an issue present which requires their attention. Infinitely more difficult is convincing them that they are to blame for the issue or problem at hand. Nevertheless, this was the task that faced Elizabth Kolbert as she wrote The Sixth Extinction. In cases like this, writers often have to use various rhetorical strategies and techniques just to reach their audience. Kolbert’s The Sixth Extinction is a perfect example of just how writers use powerful tools to connect with their readers.

The absolute truth may not always be known. Another culture’s history may tell a varied version of an account that differs from the ones that exist in the textbooks in American classrooms. To every war, there is the triumphed and the defeated. Each side walks away with a drastically different outlook on what has occurred. By only hearing one side, individuals are there by limited and constricted to a less knowledgeable idea of the truth.