What Are Stories For?

In my class, we are exploring the question “What are stories for?” and it has pushed me to make some personal reflections on the subject. 

Stories are for a lot of things.

Sometimes we tell stories as a way to instigate change and shine light on injustices. Stories can capture some of humanity’s greatest achievements and speak out against our greatest failures at the same time. I think we tell them to learn, to teach, to reflect, to create, to inspire, to warn, to remember, and for so many more reasons. They are a part of us, and one thing from my class I agree with wholly is that stories are a human endeavour. We use story to give meaning to life, in hopes that it exists beyond us.  

Stories also allow us to imagine scenarios without having to live through them. It provides the illusion of experiences we might not otherwise encounter in our lifetime. We’re able to learn ourselves this way. We are natural worriers and very curious creatures, so with stories, we can explore endless possibilities and outcomes as a way to anticipate them, no matter how bizarre or impossible.

Some people might also say that stories are for the ego, as a way to feel idolized or immortalized, and that’s probably true, but sometimes, it is also selfless. Storytelling has the power to capture someone’s life in a more tangible and accessible way, enabling it to be shared with others. We can capture the lives of great philosophers, powerful women, people who changed history, or even just your grandfather and the way he fell head-over-heals for your grandma, and suddenly, you can bring awe and inspiration to people who have never even met them before. 

Our life story is our humanity; our impact... but it often dies with us. By telling those stories through art, through film, through biography or fiction, we have the power to change that.  

So why do you tell stories? What is the inspiration in your chest? Is it to achieve immortality? Is it to challenge people’s perspectives? To capture the nuances of life in new ways? Or simply to spark joy? I’d love to hear it. 😊