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I'm afraid the only answer is "just do it quickly, get it over with and go on," but maybe there's a better way.
In my first person historical novel, most things become clear from context, but there are a few scattered times when the narrator needs to explain something only because I know he's writing for a modern audience. In his world, everyone would know what the people are talking about. It seems like I'm forcing him to say something he wouldn't, like writing in a contemporary novel, "we went to McDonald's, which is a fast-service hamburger restaurant."
Here are a couple examples. I've put in bold what's only for the benefit of modern people. Is there a better way to handle it? The setting is 1856 Ohio USA.
In my first person historical novel, most things become clear from context, but there are a few scattered times when the narrator needs to explain something only because I know he's writing for a modern audience. In his world, everyone would know what the people are talking about. It seems like I'm forcing him to say something he wouldn't, like writing in a contemporary novel, "we went to McDonald's, which is a fast-service hamburger restaurant."
Here are a couple examples. I've put in bold what's only for the benefit of modern people. Is there a better way to handle it? The setting is 1856 Ohio USA.
[Simon has had a head injury.] Simon stood at the mirror in the dining room, tugging his hair around, trying to cover where the doctor had shaved. "I look like I just got out of prison," he said, and he did, too, because convicts had their head shaved on one side.
[Gil is sympathizing with a U.S. deputy marshall who's been complaining about his job.] "It's hard work, that's a fact," Gil said. "If you're going to work for the government, Casey, don't be a marshall. You need to get a safe job, where a fellow don't get beat up, like senator."
They both laughed. He was talking about the senator who just got caned at his desk in Washington.