The Relationship between History and Narrative

Throughout its essays, throughout the included text of Hamilton, and throughout Miranda’s commentary on both, the book suggests that there is a difference between history as narrative (i.e. a story of actual events) and a narrative of history (i.e. a story that expands upon and explores history from other points of view). The difference, the book further contends, is defined on one level by perspective and, on another level, by the purpose and context of each: while history is oriented towards communication of fact, narrative of history is oriented towards giving meaning. As it explores these ideas, the book draws clear distinctions between what history says about Hamilton’s life and influence and what Lin-Manuel’s narrative, expanding that history, can lead us to understand about both.

It could be argued that on some level, narrative (or story) uses history...