For all his attention to my historical education, my father had neglected to tell me this: history's terrible moments were real. I understand now, decades later, that he could never have told me. Only history itself can convince you of such a truth. And once you've seen that truth-really seen it-you can't look away.
In "The Historian," Elizabeth Kostova reflects on the nature of historical education through a personal lens. The narrator comes to realize that their father, despite his efforts to teach history, failed to convey the harsh reality of its darkest moments. This realization grows clearer over time, as the narrator understands that some truths of history can only be comprehended through direct experience and contemplation of the past.
This quote emphasizes the profound impact that history can have on an individual. The narrator acknowledges that once one truly perceives the weight and gravity of history's terrible events, it becomes impossible to ignore them. This journey of understanding is integral to grasping the complexities and realities of human experience as shaped by history.
