Darkness at Noon: On History, Narrative, and Domestic Violence

Abstract

This essay is inspired by my experience of domestic violence while earning a PhD in Russian history. It applies the philosophy of history to escaping abuse, when crafting a compelling account becomes a matter of survival. As a scholar, I had taken my right to tell the story for granted; as a survivor, I could produce evidence about what happened, but other judges would weave it together to make meaning. The essay attempts to reconcile the conception of history as literature with the need to seek truth and justice. It also considers the role of narrative in the #MeToo movement and the Title IX system.