Published Paper Details:

This paper explores the idea of narrative disruption and the ways in which postmodernism radically changes how archive materials are interpreted and used. Archives have historically been thought of as immobile, impartial storehouse of historical facts, used to record significant people, events, and linear stories. Postmodernist approaches, on the other hand, subvert traditional norms by highlighting the diversity of viewpoints, the significance of context, and the dynamic character of historical understanding. Postmodernism opposes the idea of a single, authoritative story by encouraging the inclusion of underrepresented perspectives and acknowledging that every interpretation is subjective. This paradigm change has significant ramifications for historical research, compelling historians to critically analyze the power dynamics and biases present in archival documents, as well as for archive practices, driving archivists to embrace more inclusive and flexible techniques. Postmodernism expands the meaning of archives to encompass digital records, oral histories, and other types of collective memory, hence enhancing the range of historical material that is deemed valuable. This essay contends that by emphasizing a variety of experiences that were previously underappreciated, postmodernist disruption of conventional narratives democratizes the field while also enhancing our understanding of history.