the theory and interpretation of narrative series

235 Pages·2007·15.15 MB·English

THE THEORY AND INTERPRETATION OF NARRATIVE
SERIES

MATTERS OF FACT

Reading Nonf iction over the Edge
Daniel W. Lehman
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY PRESS
Oolumbu s
Copyright © 1997 by The Ohio State University.
All rights reserved.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Lehman, Daniel W. (Daniel Wayne), 1950­
Matters of fact: reading nonfiction over the edge / Daniel W.
Lehman.
p. cm.—(The theory and interpretation of narrative series)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8142-0760-X (cloth : alk. paper).—ISBN 0-8142-0761-8
(pbk.: alk. paper)
1. Journalism—United States. 2. Reportage literature, American—
History and criticism. 3. Feature writing. 4. Nonfiction novel—
History and criticism. 5. Books and reading. 6. Literature and
history. I. Title. II. Series.
PN4867.L43 1998
071' .3—dc21 97-26663
CIP
Text and jacket design by Donna Hartwick.
Type set in New Caledonia by Graphic Composition, Inc.
Printed by Cushing-M alloy, Inc.
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of
the American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence
of Paper for Printed Library Materials. ANSI Z39.48-1992.
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 21
YOU OAN TELL A TRUE WAR STORY BY
THE OUESTIONS YOU ASK. SOMEBODY
TELLS A STORY, LET'S SAY, AND AFTER­
WARD YOU ASK, ~IS IT TRUE?" AND IF
THE ANSWER MATTERS, YOU'VE OOT
YOUR ANSWER.
— TIM O'BRIEN, THE THINGS THEY
a/\RRIED

CONTENTS
Acknowledgments ix

1. Nonfictional Narrative and the Problem of Truth 1

2. Writing Inside Out: The Nonfiction Narrator in
Scripted and Conscripted History 40

3. Writing Outside In: Implicating the Author in the
Narratives of Tom Wolfe and John Reed 76

4. Reading Inside Out: Rupture and Control in the
Construction of Reader 115

5. Reading Outside In: Over the Edge of Genre in the
Case of Private O'Brien 164

Notes 195

Works Cited 205

Index 213

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
MY FATHER AN D MOTHER TAUGHT ME first that truth matters
and that, despite the "sticks and stones" cliche, words have the power to hurt
or to heal other people. And so my first thanks go to them for the ethical
grounding of this study.
My years as a reporter offered a rich foundation of practical experi­
ence in life writing and fact checking. Of the many reporters and editors who
taught me, I would particularly like to acknowledge Jack Newfield, Wayne
Barrett, and Beverly Cheuvront in New York City, as well as Bob Gibson and
the late Elizabeth Wilson in Charlottesville, VA. Robert McGovern at Ash­
land University took a chance on a veteran reporter and encouraged my
scholarship at every turn. The Ashland University Deans Council provided
a Summer Study Grant that enabled me to finish this study; particular thanks
go to former Arts and Humanities dean John Stratton. Valuable responses to
many of the ideas of this book were offered by Ashland University journalism
and English students in a seminar on nonfiction narrative, especially Traci
Blanchard and T. J. Moraco. At Ohio State University, I learned from John
Hellmann, whose Fables of Fact was the starting point for this study; from
Walter A. "Mac" Davis, who encouraged an active mind and a restless heart;
from Debra Moddelmog, the best reader I've met in journalism or academia;
and from James Phelan, who offered patient encouragement at every turn.
Portions of this book concerning Freud's Dora and the nonfiction of
Tom Wolfe appeared in Style 29:1 and in Prospects: An Annual of American
Cultural Studies 21, respectively. I thank those editors for their permission
to reprint and would particularly like to acknowledge Claire Kahane, Audrey
Jaffe, and Steven Joyce for their assistance with the Freud project. Peter J.
Rabinowitz, James Phelan, and an anonymous reviewer produced particu­
larly helpful readings of the text at several stages of this project. That this
book reached publication is due to them and all remaining missteps and
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
flaws are mine. At Ohio State Press, I would like to thank Charlotte Dihoff,
Ruth Melville, and especially Barbara Hanrahan, who encouraged this proj­
ect when things seemed dark. Tonia Payne found my mistakes, and Beth Ina
devoted extraordinary personal care to the project and provided first-rate
insights into its ideas.
As always, Hadley Lehman shares her wisdom and keeps me hon­
est, while Barbara Lehman provides my scholarly example and is my best
friend. This book is dedicated to them.