Behind Quote by Jill Lepore
“Theories of history used to be supernatural: the divine ruled time; the hand of God, a special providence, lay behind the fall of each sparrow. If the present differed from the past, it was usually worse: supernatural theories of history tend to involve decline, a fall from grace, the loss of God's favor, corruption.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Name of War: King Philip's War and the Origins of American Identity, 1998
Historical explanations once blamed divine forces for events, often portraying history as a decline from a golden age.
In simple terms: People used supernatural ideas to explain history.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the shift to secular analysis.
Themes
history
philosophy
religion
Mood
analytical
reflective
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic lectures
- public debates
- media commentary
Key Concepts
determinism
decline theory
secularism
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do people cling to decline narratives?
- How does secular view change our understanding?
A Different Perspective
Supernatural explanations still influence some narratives.
