“Bargain”by A.B. Guthrie

Before Reading – Historical Fiction Setting is very important in historical fiction.  So, it is important that you understand a little about what life was like in the time that these stories were written. The story “Bargain” takes place in the American Frontier (also known as The Wild West) in the late 1850’s.  This was an exciting time in America.  People from all over the world were making their way to the United States to make their fortune in The Wild West.  A mixture of cultures, though, didn’t always get along peacefully and without an established police force in many towns people often took justice into their own hands.

Before Reading – Historical Fiction Additionally, life could be difficult.  Although trains made it easy for supplies (food, clothing, tools, etc…) to be delivered to cities, many cities were a two to three day journey by horse from a train station.  As towns developed and people started businesses, many business owners, especially those who owned general stores, would hire freighters to go and pick up supplies.  A freighter was someone who would take a team of horses that carried at least one wagon to the train station to pick up all the supplies a store would need.  Then, they would make the long journey back and have to keep the supplies they picked up safe!  Freighters had to be tough to travel in such harsh conditions – it was frigidly cold in the winters and hot in the summer.  They also had to be trusted to not steal from the businesses that hired them.

Question to Ponder Think of an example of historical fiction from a book, TV show or movie. Be ready to explain your answer. "Schindler's List" "Gone With the Wind" "Saving Private Ryan"