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Existence and Historical Fabulation: The Example of Tom Stoppard’s Travesties

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Existence, Historical Fabulation, Destiny

Part of the book series: Analecta Husserliana ((ANHU,volume 99))

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Abstract

An inherent connection persists between the terms “existence,” “narrative,” and “fabulation.” A fourth term, “identity” is needed as a link between the first two above. A person accepts his or her identity when that person conceptualizes to him or herself the essence of his or her existence. The person does this by creating a narrative about one’s self that is sufficiently complex to separate the person from all others. A person learns how to create complex narratives about him or herself by reading complex narratives. One of the modes by which simple narratives have been made more complex carries the name “fabulation.” All of these terms intersect with “history” when a personal story interacts with the story of the larger unit: nation, continent, or all humanity. This article will trace the steps of the above stated sequence.

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Wilson III, R.J. (2009). Existence and Historical Fabulation: The Example of Tom Stoppard’s Travesties . In: Existence, Historical Fabulation, Destiny. Analecta Husserliana, vol 99. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9802-4_12

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