History is a vital subject in education; it allows people to grasp a better understanding of what went on before our present day generations and provides lessons for the future. Historical narratives are crucial for this desire to know what went on in the earlier days of the world. La Relación by Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano by Olaudah Equiano, "The General History of Virginia," by John Smith, and "Of Plymouth Plantation" by William Bradford, are all examples of historical narratives. Readers of historical narratives must consider the writer's audience and purpose and analyze the tone of the narrative to determine its credibility. .
La Relación by Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca reflects on the expedition of six hundred men traveling to colonize in the New World east and north of the Gulf of Mexico. Cabeza de Vaca survived one of the most disastrous conquests to North America, being one of only four to survive. Because Cabeza de Vaca did not write down his account during the journey, but instead, ten years after it began (1527-1537), it is likely that there are many inaccuracies and lack of detail. The writing was intended for the King of Spain, therefore, Cabeza de Vaca most likely exaggerated his experiences for his own advantage to impress the King. Cabeza de Vaca illustrates a somber tone when he wrote "We lost only those the barge took down; but the survivors escaped as naked as they were born, with the loss of everything we had.our bodies so emaciated we could easily count every bone and looked the very picture of death" (77). La Relacion gave readers insight into the conditions of the expedition, a glimpse at the culture of the Native Americans, as well as the circumstances the Spaniards lived in, as they lived among the Natives. .
The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano by Olaudah Equiano focuses on the life of a British slave in the late 1700's.