How might textbook representations of Brown and Lincoln increase readers' awareness of the nuanced and complex nature of ideas, people and behavior?

John Brown, an abolitionist, was for many years portrayed as insane in American textbooks. He had the gaul to fight against slavery and for that, he was tarnished as mentally unstable. Today his revolt is looked at much differently by historians and his sanity, in textbooks, has been rightly restored. Although Lincoln is scene as a champion of racial equality, the man himself was rather racist. He just felt that the abolition of slavery was good for the country.