Historical Events That Would Be Called Bad Writing If They Were Fiction

It's a fascinating thought experiment to consider real historical events through the lens of fiction writing. History, with its twists, turns, and often unbelievable occurrences, frequently outstrips the imagination of even the most creative novelists. What happened, actually happened, regardless of whether it makes perfect narrative sense. This is why certain historical events, if presented as plot points in a fictional story, would likely be critiqued as implausible, contrived, or simply bad writing. In this article, we'll delve into some specific examples of these historical events and explore why they might be deemed problematic within the context of fiction.

The Unbelievable Arcs of Individuals: When Real Lives Outstrip Fictional Character Development

One area where history often trumps fiction is in the character arcs of individuals. In fiction, characters typically undergo a somewhat predictable journey of transformation, often adhering to established tropes and narrative structures. However, real life rarely follows such neat patterns. Consider individuals who have experienced dramatic reversals of fortune, sudden shifts in personality, or unexpected ascensions to power.

For instance, the story of Grigori Rasputin, the Russian mystic who gained immense influence over the Romanov family, would likely be rejected by editors as too outlandish. A peasant faith healer wielding such sway over an imperial dynasty? His scandalous behavior, rumored affairs, and eventual assassination by a group of nobles read more like a poorly conceived melodrama than a plausible historical account. If a fictional character mirrored Rasputin's trajectory, critics would likely point to a lack of believability and inconsistent character motivations. The sheer improbability of his rise and the bizarre circumstances surrounding his death would strain the suspension of disbelief for even the most generous reader. Likewise, the story of Joan of Arc, a peasant girl who led the French army to victory and was later burned at the stake, is so extraordinary that it borders on the fantastical. In a novel, her divine visions and military successes might be seen as deus ex machina, a convenient plot device to resolve conflicts. The abrupt shift in her fortunes, from national hero to condemned heretic, would likely be criticized as too abrupt and lacking in sufficient foreshadowing. The fact that these events actually transpired highlights the remarkable capacity of real life to defy conventional narrative expectations. The complexities and contradictions inherent in human nature, coupled with the unpredictable nature of historical circumstances, often result in real-life stories that are far more intricate and astonishing than anything found in fiction.

Plot Twists That Defy Logic: Historical Events That Would Be Dismissed as Contrived

Fiction relies on plot twists to keep readers engaged, but these twists must be carefully constructed to maintain plausibility. A plot twist that comes out of nowhere or contradicts previously established information can feel cheap and unsatisfying. However, history is replete with plot twists that, if presented in fiction, would be considered utterly contrived. Take, for example, the infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605, in which a group of English Catholics attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament and assassinate King James I. The sheer audacity of the plan, the intricate web of conspiracies, and the ultimate failure due to a last-minute betrayal would strike many readers as far-fetched. The idea that a small group of rebels could come so close to toppling the government, only to be thwarted by a single intercepted letter, feels almost too dramatic to be believable. If this were a plot point in a historical thriller, critics might accuse the author of relying on excessive coincidence and improbable circumstances.

Similarly, the Trojan War, with its decade-long siege, divine interventions, and the infamous Trojan Horse, is a narrative so grand and improbable that it has become the stuff of legend. In a novel, the wooden horse gambit, while ingenious, might be seen as a simplistic solution to a complex problem. The willingness of the Trojans to accept such an obvious ruse would likely be questioned, and the entire episode might be dismissed as a convenient plot device to end the war. The sheer scale and duration of the conflict, the involvement of gods and goddesses, and the larger-than-life characters like Achilles and Hector contribute to a narrative that feels more mythological than historical. The very notion that a war could be fought over the abduction of a single woman seems almost ludicrous by modern standards, and the dramatic twists and turns of the saga would likely be deemed excessive in a fictional retelling. Consider also the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the event that triggered World War I. The series of improbable coincidences that led to the Archduke's death, from the missed turns to the stalled car and the unexpected appearance of the assassin, reads like a poorly written thriller. In a fictional context, such a chain of events would likely be criticized as overly contrived and lacking in realism. The fact that this single event ignited a global conflict, resulting in millions of deaths and reshaping the geopolitical landscape, underscores the unpredictable and often illogical nature of history. These examples illustrate how real-world events, with their inherent complexities and random occurrences, can often surpass the bounds of fictional plausibility. What might be dismissed as bad writing in a novel can, in the realm of history, become a defining moment that shapes the course of human events.

Deus Ex Machina: When Historical Outcomes Feel Too Convenient

In fiction, deus ex machina refers to a plot device where a seemingly insurmountable problem is suddenly resolved by an unexpected and improbable intervention. This can take the form of a sudden arrival of help, a miraculous discovery, or any other unforeseen event that conveniently solves the protagonist's dilemma. While deus ex machina can sometimes be used effectively, it is often criticized as a lazy writing technique that undermines the narrative's internal logic and emotional impact. However, history is replete with instances where outcomes seem to hinge on such improbable interventions, events that would be deemed contrived if they appeared in a fictional story. The Battle of Dunkirk during World War II provides a compelling example. The evacuation of over 300,000 Allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk, under heavy fire from the German army, is often hailed as a miracle. The combination of factors that made the evacuation possible – the unexpected halt order from Hitler, the valiant efforts of the Royal Navy and civilian vessels, and the uncharacteristically calm weather conditions – seems almost too good to be true. If this were a scene in a war movie, critics might accuse the filmmakers of relying on historical revisionism and improbable circumstances to create a feel-good ending. The sheer scale of the evacuation, the number of lives saved, and the unlikely convergence of events contribute to a narrative that borders on the miraculous. The fact that this occurred in the context of a devastating global conflict only adds to the sense of incredulity. The story of the Cuban Missile Crisis also contains elements that, if presented in fiction, might be considered overly dramatic and improbable. The world teetered on the brink of nuclear war as the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a tense standoff over the placement of Soviet missiles in Cuba. The resolution of the crisis, through a combination of back-channel negotiations, diplomatic maneuvering, and a last-minute agreement, feels almost too neat and tidy. In a political thriller, the eleventh-hour compromise might be seen as a convenient plot device to avoid a catastrophic outcome. The sheer magnitude of the stakes, the potential for global annihilation, and the sudden shift from confrontation to resolution contribute to a narrative that feels both thrilling and improbable. The fact that the crisis was averted through a series of delicate and often secretive negotiations only adds to the sense of drama and suspense. Another instance of what could be considered a deus ex machina in history is the unexpected death of Alexander the Great at a relatively young age. Alexander's conquests had created a vast empire, but his sudden demise threw the empire into disarray, leading to infighting among his generals and the eventual fragmentation of his territories. If this were a plot point in a historical epic, critics might argue that Alexander's death was a convenient way to resolve the narrative conflict and prevent the protagonist from becoming too powerful. The abrupt end to his reign, without a clear successor, disrupts the natural flow of the story and leaves many unanswered questions. The fact that Alexander's death remains shrouded in mystery only adds to the sense of unease and narrative incompleteness. These historical events, with their improbable outcomes and convenient resolutions, demonstrate how real life can sometimes resemble a poorly written fiction. The complexities and contradictions of history often defy neat narrative structures, and the element of chance can play a significant role in shaping events. What might be dismissed as bad writing in a novel can, in the realm of history, become a pivotal moment that alters the course of human civilization.

The Butterfly Effect in History: Small Causes, Monumental Consequences

The butterfly effect, a concept popularized by chaos theory, suggests that even the smallest initial conditions can have enormous and unpredictable consequences over time. In fiction, this idea is often explored through intricate plotlines where seemingly insignificant events trigger a chain reaction that leads to dramatic outcomes. However, history provides numerous examples of the butterfly effect in action, events where minor incidents have had a profound and lasting impact on the world. These historical occurrences, if presented in a fictional narrative, might be criticized as relying on overly tenuous connections and improbable causal links. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, mentioned earlier, serves as a prime example of the butterfly effect in history. A series of missteps and coincidences led to the Archduke's death, which in turn triggered a chain of diplomatic failures, military mobilizations, and ultimately, the outbreak of World War I. The sheer scale of the conflict, with its millions of casualties and its lasting impact on the global political landscape, seems disproportionate to the initial act of assassination. If this were the plot of a historical novel, critics might argue that the author is exaggerating the significance of the event and drawing overly simplistic connections between cause and effect. The complex web of alliances, rivalries, and nationalistic tensions that contributed to the war is often overlooked in simplified narratives, and the assassination is presented as the sole catalyst for the conflict. The fact that a single act of violence could unleash such a devastating global conflict underscores the unpredictable and often irrational nature of human history. Another example of the butterfly effect can be seen in the Protestant Reformation, the 16th-century religious movement that challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and led to a schism in Western Christianity. While the Reformation was the result of various factors, including theological disputes, political rivalries, and social unrest, it is often traced back to Martin Luther's act of nailing his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Church in 1517. This seemingly minor act of protest, intended to spark a debate among theologians, ignited a firestorm of controversy that swept across Europe and transformed the religious and political landscape. If this were a plot point in a historical drama, critics might argue that the author is overemphasizing the role of a single individual and downplaying the broader historical context. The complex interplay of religious, social, and political forces that shaped the Reformation is often reduced to a simple narrative of Luther's defiance and the Church's reaction. The fact that a single act of dissent could trigger such a profound and lasting transformation highlights the power of ideas and the potential for individuals to shape the course of history. The Russian Revolution of 1917 also illustrates the butterfly effect in action. A combination of factors, including World War I, economic hardship, and social unrest, created a volatile situation in Russia. However, the February Revolution, which led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II, was sparked by a series of protests and strikes that began with a relatively small demonstration by women workers in Petrograd. This seemingly minor event, fueled by popular discontent and a lack of government response, quickly escalated into a full-scale revolution that overthrew the Tsarist regime and paved the way for the Bolsheviks to seize power. If this were a plot point in a historical epic, critics might argue that the author is relying on an overly simplistic narrative of revolution and downplaying the complex social and political dynamics at play. The role of various revolutionary factions, the impact of World War I, and the long-term historical context are often overshadowed by the dramatic narrative of the February Revolution. The fact that a small protest could trigger such a momentous upheaval underscores the fragility of political systems and the potential for popular movements to reshape the course of history. These examples demonstrate how the butterfly effect can play out in real life, often in ways that would seem implausible in fiction. The complexities and contingencies of history make it difficult to predict the consequences of even the smallest actions, and the chain of cause and effect can often lead to unexpected and far-reaching outcomes. What might be dismissed as bad writing in a novel can, in the realm of history, become a defining moment that shapes the destiny of nations and the course of human events.

Conclusion: History's Unbelievable Truths

In conclusion, history is a tapestry woven with threads of improbable events, unlikely characters, and coincidental twists that often defy the conventions of good storytelling. What might be considered bad writing in fiction – implausible plot twists, convenient deus ex machina, and disproportionate consequences – is often the very stuff of history. This is not to say that history is inherently poorly written, but rather that the constraints of narrative plausibility do not always apply to the real world. The messiness and unpredictability of human affairs, combined with the element of chance, can produce outcomes that are far stranger and more surprising than anything that could be conceived in a work of fiction. By examining these historical events through the lens of literary criticism, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities and contradictions of the past, and we can also recognize the unique power of history to surprise, confound, and ultimately, to inspire.