Kearney says that stories are changing. The medium through which stories are told are constantly evolving through technological advances. But despite this, he says that stories will live on: “There will always be someone to say ‘Tell me a story’, and somebody else who will respond ‘Once upon a time…’. Stories allow us to escape the current reality. We can imagine a world in which our circumstances are different, dreams can come true, and the world seems brighter for the time being. It is almost a drug alternative. If only to escape for just a little while. Kearney also argues that there are five headings to narrative: plot, recreation, release, wisdom, and ethics.
Plot is carried out in our everyday life. The stories we seek to tell about ourselves are transcribed by the plot that ensues. However, Kearney says that “Our existence is already to some extent pre-plotted before we ever consciously seek out a narrative in which to re-inscribe our life as life-history.” The limits seem to already be set by our influences: social, parental, financial, etc. Certain things are expected of us and how our life story should read.
Re-creation is a “pathway to the disclosure of the inherent universals of existence that make up human truth.” The world is re-created according to our individual beliefs about what is the truth. In this way, the truth is different for everyone. We each seek our own purpose for existence. We have different goals and stroll along different paths. As we mature and transform into our character, we see the world through new eyes.
Release describes the ability of stories to transport us to a different time and place. Stories are our escape. They allow us to be someone different and to be free from the constraints of our peers. We can move and change unhindered by watchful eyes and sneering mouths. We can live our dreams through stories. We are the character…the leading role.
Wisdom comes when one understands how to bridge the gap between historical truth and story. History is not only the recollection of past facts and events, but the people who experienced them. We must shape our history into a story which includes us and will allow us to live again the things of the past.
Ethics comes throughout storytelling by both those telling the story and the audience. The issue arises between truth and emphasis. A character can always be left out or misrepresented. The teller must share with the audience the inclusiveness of the story. Yet, these changes are situated in ways that focus on life moments, those things that challenge our beliefs and the course on which we have plotted our lives.
