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Historys Role in FictionIn the novels the house on The House on the Lagoon and Mambo Kings, true historical facts and figures are used to give the stories a sense of realism. The authors of these novels use small pieces of history to make a realistic setting for their stories. The authors also use fancied historical events and figures to add personal and emotional elements to the novels.The House on the Lagoon is mainly about fictional characters who give personal accounts of real historical events. The novel begins with Buenadventuras arrival in San Juan on July 4, 1917 the day Puerto Ricans were granted American citizenship. This day is the beginning of an never-ending debate over the nationality of the residents of Puerto Rico. Politics play a huge role through out the entire novel. The argument over statehood versus independence or state of matter results in the destruction of the Mendizabal family. The Mendizabals personal struggle with this issue reveals just how extreme th e controversy was. At this time in history Puerto Rico could non seem to come to a decision on whether they were Americans or Puerto Ricans. Unfortunately neither side of the conflict could appreciate or even consider the arguments of the verso side. Hatred and contempt grew between the parties. Emotions, on both sides, were so strong that a father disowned his son on account of their political disagreement. The argument started when Manuel refused to dispatch down a Puerto Rican iris diaphragm that his girlfriend Coral had given him. Kristen Kszos (2)Prior to this argument Manuel was neither a Nativist, like his father, or an Independista, like Coral. At source Manuel joined the Independista Party to please Coral, but his resentment toward his father radicalized him.(357) Manuel was a stubborn man who did not like being told what to do. When his father demanded the removal of the flag , and then told him that he couldnt marry Coral, Manuels anger and resentment drove him to ta ke increasing action for the AK 47.The Mambo Kings is set in a real time with real historical figures. The novel is filled with real historical figures such as Machito and Desi Arnaz in fact the only fictional figures are the Castillo brothers, their family, and well-nigh of their friends. The main characters in the novel are used to let the reader really know exactly what life was like for the musicians of that era.