Strange thought running through my head.

I have an interesting thought about how literature can influence perception. I don't have a coherent idea of what to do with this thought, though. Most people view history through fiction, for better or for worse. "Braveheart" was an awful movie in regards to actual history, but most people who watched the movie truly think that the Scots painted themselves blue and charged into battle wearing kilts. Errol Flynn is the image of Robin Hood that most of the world has of a person that mostly likely did not exist, and an image of England that is very incorrect.

On the one hand, we have Umberto Eco's "Name of the Rose", a book so well researched that first time readers might think it was an actual translation of a medieval manuscript. And on the other hand, we have Walter Scott's "Ivanhoe", a book that completely rewrites 12th century English history (as well as fires up gross anti-semitism, creating some myths that are still kicking around, today). "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is the high schooler's first look at 15th century Paris, even though most of the themes in the novel relate to 19th century Paris' rush to modernize the skyline. "The Scarlet Letter" and "The Crucible" have left an indelible mark on millions of minds about who the pilgrims were and how they viewed the world.

This thought is kicking around in my head, but I don't know where to take it.