Dec. 21 - written by Christopher Rohan

#2: What is Story?

If you’ve read much on my site, you’ll notice that I use the word story a lot. Now, it is not for me to define such a term, but to simply use it. That being said, I often use it in unorthodox ways, and it has become less of a simple term to be used and more of an idea that guides. So, what do I mean when I use it? Here is how I define that idea:

Story is a means by which we commune in life, passion, and meaning. 

Prehaps that seems overstated, but let me ask this: when you haven’t seen loved ones for any amount of time, how do you reconnect? Most likely you talk about what you’ve been up to, how work has been, how such and such relationship has been going, etc.

“Hold on now,” one might retort, “that is just simple catching up.”

Yes, I agree. But how do we catch up? By sharing the story of what has been happening in life. Through these stories we learn what is going on in the lives of others, and begin to form connections. These connections will often shed light on things in our own life and we can grow. Isn’t that wild? We can actually grow through the experiences of others through hearing, watching, and reading their story.

“But,” the objection might continue, “that doesn’t explain fiction.”

That is where I disagree.

The only difference between fiction and nonfiction is whether or not something actually happened as described, but that does not change our ability to relate through story. That, in my opinion, is what makes a story true. Madeleine L’Engle shares a beautiful idea in her book on writing, Walking On Water. The idea is that all stories told happened somewhere. The writer simply jots it down. I like that idea. We can’t test it or prove it, but I like it.

In an effort, then, to help connect what’s in my head to yours, let’s define the key words in this idea.

First, a means is simply a vehicle. It is something that gets us from here to there. So, story is how I get from here to there. But if I am here, what is the there? That brings us to the second: Commune. 

I like the word commune. It’s a bit archaic, but it is better than relate in that relate is a very familiar word and therefore often taken for granted. More importantly, however, the verb commune and the adjective common are derivitaves of the same word; they have that in common, *wink *wink. That may mean little to some, but the reason I say it is to help us realize that for us to relate we must find what we have in common. So, story is how I get from uncommon to common, from not having relationship to having relationship.

The last three words are weighty. By life, I mean living and all that entails. By passion, I mean that for which we would give everything. By meaning, I am referring to the great existential question: What is it all about? in the small sense of a fictional tale as well as the great cosmic sense. Personally, I believe that there is greater meaning in life and the reality that we all wonder and wrestle with meaning proves it to me. It may not prove it to you, but that’s okay, I‘m sure we have other things in common.

So, if story is a means by which we commune in life, passion, and meaning, to participate in storytelling, whether giving or receiving, is profoundly human. Everyone that I’ve ever met tells stories, and as far as we know, there is no other creature that does it or does to the same extent. We all have more in common than we have difference. From the tippy top of the ivory tower to the bottom of the lowest gutter, we can all relate. The only thing stopping us is a lack of imagination. Story helps our imagination to see what we all have in common and what connects us.

Because of this I believe that we have a lot of responsibility in storytelling. I’ve encountered many stories that devalue life (most poignantly seen in gratuitous violence), stifle or misguide passion, and deny the pursuit of meaning. I hope to do better with the responsibility. Storytelling is a blessing, and every time we use it in a way that discourages and devalues, we tarnish that blessing until it becomes a curse.

You may disagree with my assessment, but that is what I’ve witnessed, and that is the story I’m telling.