On Storytelling

A brief note of update: I continue to work on my dissertation and, in my estimation, it is going well. In a few weeks, I'm going to the Lake District for a friend's birthday, so, you will have to wait for more pictures. And now, the real subject.

It can come as no surprise to most of you, but I really enjoy storytelling. Although I am not particularly talented at telling straightforward stories (at least of my own), I still enjoy telling them. When I was in seventh grade, we had a storytelling unit. And, despite the fact I hated public speaking, based on my recitation, my teacher suggested I join the speech team. I did not. But, as I have grown up, I have realized I've essentially become a storyteller. I'm sure I've said it before, but history is essentially stories. There is no absolute truth in the past but there is a greater truth that transcends fact. (I apologize, I'm slipping into my dissertation topic.) Historical stories tell us where we came from and who we are. But so do other stories--what is popular and what is not, when it is popular, and even how the stories are told.

Every form of media tells a story. Nothing tells "Just the facts, ma'am." (Which, interestingly enough, was not the phrasing from Dragnet, but is often attributed to Joe Friday.) Everything, essentially is a story. Even "facts," which I will admit exist, tell the story of the people who value them and "discover" them.

And, now, my point. Storytelling is fascinating. In true academic fashion, I will now illustrate with examples. My examples could easily come from history. But, as I find storytelling in new media complex in a different way, and historical narrative consumes much of my time, I will find new examples.

I started thinking about this topic earlier this week when I began watching Fraggle Rock. Fraggle Rock is a Jim Henson show from the 80's with Muppets. I had watched some episodes over last summer while babysitting. However, starting from the beginning brought to light more interesting ideas. Aside from the philosophical tangents some of the Fraggles engage in (Boober most notably), most of the characters reflect Western society. There are probably better written and more indepth ideas about this, but I want to give my thoughts. In the first episode, we are given a look at the composition of Fraggle society (and that of the Doozers and Gorgs). According to the Fraggles, their society is the best and Doozers exist solely for their benefit, without merit given to their existence. According to the Doozers, the Fraggles are, essentially, silly creatures.

What is your point you say. My point is, even in fictional children's television, societies value origin stories. They create an "Us" and a "Them"--where "Us" is better than "Them." The show tells stories that teach kids, and adults, something. But the lessons it teaches are unassuming.

A second example, from newer new media. Roughly two years ago, I was introduced to a YouTube series called "The Lizzie Bennet Diaries" (LBD). As you may suspect, this is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice. It is reimagined as a video blog (vlog) and many situations are translated to the 21st century. Some background: I first attempted reading Pride and Prejudice when I was 12; a year later, I actually completed it. Since then, it has been one of my favorites. Back to the recent past. The LBD captivated me. The characterization and the situations I could relate to. The creators aimed to tell the story in a new way--to appeal to a new audience. A second series, "Emma Approved," does the same thing with Emma. I disliked the book, although I've only read it once. But I find myself slightly more attached to this updated version.

I will admit, there is something that does not translate completely from the page to the screen, but we all know that. My point with this example is the flexibility of storytelling. As technology changes and time move swiftly on, stories that were engaging and captivating hundreds of years ago can still engage and captivate, even if they need tweaking.

A final example, to round out my study. I have taken up listening to MPR online as I fall asleep. Every Saturday, instead of "All Things Considered," I generally end up listening to at least part of "A Prairie Home Companion." Of course, I know about the program, and I appreciate "Lake Wobegon" but, as my parents are not overly fond of the program, I've never really listened to it. During my Easter Pilgrimage to the south this year, one of my friends mentioned having heard and enjoyed the program. I was astonished. Of course, people in the States know of Garrison Keillor, but a Scot? Strange. So we asked other members of our group. One of the chaplains had heard of the show, but no one else. Then, last night, when I was out with a few friends (one of whom was leaving today), another of the chaplains mentioned it. (This is the Catholic chaplain--at least until Autumn term starts.) He said he enjoyed it and, despite being Catholic, a Carmelite friar, and a priest, said he could happily be the Lutheran pastor there. And so, I learned the power of fictional Lake Wobegon and the stories about it to traverse the globe.

My British friends, and their knowledge of Keillor's show, have shown me the power a good storyteller has. Not a completely new point, but a significant one. Compelling stories, no matter their veracity, when told by a compelling teller, have no bounds.

And so, my dear friends, in my own convoluted way, we arrive back at my thesis: stories are fascinating. They may not provide "incontrovertible, testable, repeatable proof" that science may have, but they provide us something else. Something slightly more transcendental. And, as we continue to find new ways to tell stories, we will learn more about ourselves.

Some final notes:
1. Fraggle Rock has a lot of distressing stereotypes. It is truly a show of the 80s. However, that does not detract from the enjoyment it provides--although it can. How can a show with lines such as "I am a quivering collection of the worst and least helpful emotions" and "It takes a brave Fraggle to admit he's a worthless coward" not be entertaining?

2. For those of you interested: the LBD is available in may places now, but I found a playlist of all the videos relevant on YouTube. Simply search the name, and start at the beginning of the playlist with 160 videos. It is a bit a of a time commitment, although you can watching it twice a week at they originally aired, it will take about a year though. I rewatched it last weekend. It was great. "Emma Approved" is almost finished but is slightly shorter than the LBD. There is a tangent series to the LBD called "Welcome to Sanditon," which is not as good as the other two, but still enjoyable. Last note here, starting in August, the same company that makes/made those three series, in conjunction with a part of PBS, is starting a show called "Frankenstein, M.D."

3. Finally, the quote in my conclusion, is from a song called "I Love Science" by Hank Green. You can listen here. I quite enjoy it and thought I'd share.

I've finished now. I just wanted to share some of my thoughts, again. I hope summer is treating you all well!