Narrative: Essential to Human Connection

“You are never going to kill storytelling because it is built into the human plan. We come with it. — Margaret Atwood.” Humans are inherently social creatures; this is no longer a contestable fact. Humans have “an innate, biologically-driven ability to develop and form interpersonal connections.” (Trach). These connections formed early in life are essential to creating the social contract that allows humans to coexist. Acknowledging the role that human connection plays in our well-being is the foundation for social and educational policies aimed at bettering the entire society and the future of society (Trach). At the heart of this interconnectedness lies narrative — the art of storytelling — a universal phenomenon beyond geographical, cultural, and temporal boundaries. Narrative storytelling allows us to experience life through fictional or real characters so that we can understand their joys, sorrows, fears, and hopes. This emotional connection creates a bridge between the audience and the narrative, enabling an understanding of the characters and their lives. Narrative storytelling’s unique ability to convey complex themes and personal experiences makes it the most powerful tool in instilling moral values and fostering empathetic human connections.

For many of us, storytelling begins to shape our moral compass from a young age. Ethical teachings hiding behind talking animals and silly situations, children are often exposed to narratives that go beyond entertainment. The well-known fable “The Tortoise and the Hare” has become a universal tale, warning children that “Slow and steady wins the race” (Aesop). Through the characters’ challenges within these tales, children are faced with consequences, such as the hare losing the race, that fit the narrative; taking your time is more beneficial than rushing. Society distills complex moral concepts into simplified, relatable scenarios with characters with whom children identify. Before you know it, bedtime stories and fairytales become the foundational element in shaping a child’s understanding of the world and how to approach their relationships with others. Further, storytelling is embedded into the coursework within our classrooms as a way to positively enhance students’ learning in the classroom, improving the retention of information because students are more likely to resonate with a story than just teaching the lesson outright.

The increasing scholarly interest in the power of narrative reflects a growing recognition of its influence on shaping individuals’ moral values and forging meaningful human connections. In 2022, Dr. Lindsay Hahn and her colleagues conducted a study on the influence of narrative on moral values using a sample of about 200 children between the ages of 10 and 14 (Hahn 165; Buffalo). The study consisted of Hahn’s team editing the main character of a novel in five ways to reflect four different moral values, i.e., care and loyalty, and one main character who was immoral, and then sharing these versions with the children (Hahn 167; Buffalo). The children were then asked to rank the importance they placed on certain moral values to determine how the participants may be influenced by narratives (Buffalo). The team concluded that when children are exposed to narratives that emphasize moral values, they “have an increased salience” towards those moral values (Hahn 167). Hahn’s study is evidence that despite the benefits of directly teaching moral values to children, narrative can act as a more effective, indirect approach to influencing a child’s morality (Hahn 174). In a study done by Darcia Narvaez, children were given stories with moral values and asked to match them with other stories with similar moral values, among other tests (223). Many of the children could decipher stories of similar themes, even when they could not fully identify the theme itself(Narvaez 239). This study is further evidence of the narrative’s power to influence us, even subconsciously, so that even when we cannot identify the lesson, it is influencing our thoughts and actions.

Growing up, sleepovers with my cousins were commonplace. Whether it is the adrenaline rush or peer pressure, like many preteens, we began to engross ourselves in scary movies and stories. We watched every horror movie we could get our hands on. We did this not because we were searching for lessons on morals but rather out of enjoyment and curiosity. A Narrative’s discreteness makes it the most powerful tool for teaching moral lessons because stories have a way of attaching themselves to your mind. My cousins and I were exposed to certain lessons on morality embedded within these horror narratives that interested us. In my Writing Project 2, I explored the impact that horror movies had on my personal growth and identity, citing examples such as the Saw franchise, Sinister, and A Nightmare on Elm Street. Within that project, I specifically referenced the Saw franchise as teaching me about resilience and morality (Yasmin). The adversity faced by the character John Kramer within the film and his ability to overcome that adversity taught me that “our challenges do not define us” and “that no challenge is worth giving up what you believe in” (Yasmin). The narrative has always made me think twice about how I treat others, and when confronted with adverse situations, I generally lead with resilience, confidence, and kindness toward others, and that is partially attributed to the Saw franchise.

The power of narrative to shape our moral values isn’t limited to adolescence but rather is continuous for the remainder of our lives. Children absorb information rapidly; however, narrative can be even more effective in reinforcing and instilling moral values in adults. In Narvaez’s study, she found that adults are more likely to identify the moral lesson that the author intended for the viewers, selecting correctly over 91% of the time, while adolescents selected the moral lesson only 45% of the time (234). Further, adults tend to have more experience than children. When adult readers or viewers engage with narratives that tackle themes, they often find themselves reflecting on their own personal experiences, influencing their values, and fostering growth. Narratives serve as a framework for discussing difficult and multifaceted topics by framing issues within the context of a story, allowing individuals to engage with these values free from the constraints of direct confrontation.

I’ve had to face challenges that I’d never imagined in my short years of adulthood. However, my diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression, and anxiety was the most earth-shattering challenge I had ever faced. In my Writing Project 2, I discussed the movie Split and how it helped me destigmatize my mental health struggles (Yasmin). When watching Split, I was exposed to an individual’s battles with mental illness separate from my own. By including a character battling a mental illness, the movie allowed me to examine a touchy subject from a distance. Split taught me acceptance of what makes us unique because I realized that if I could accept this character, then I should be able to accept myself. In that project, I also discussed the horror movie Sinister in reference to my battles with obsession (Yasmin). My obsession is most prominent in my academic life because I’ve always been “high achieving.” It may be unexpected, but it has had harmful effects on my mental health because anything short of an ‘A’ became a failure. The main character, Ellison Oswalt, lets his obsession with fame cost him his family, which left me reflecting on the dangers of obsession (Yasmin). Oswalt’s consequences were extreme, but that shouldn’t take away from the lesson of this narrative. Sinister serves as a warning against obsession and was harrowing for me, considering my own struggles with obsession (Yasmin). My interaction with these films, paired with my own life experiences, is a testament to the power of narrative to form moral values, in this case, acceptance and temperance. Another example is that in my European Political Thought class, I was assigned to watch M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village. Although the movie was entertaining, the professor assigned it to explain the concept of a social contract and how it is employed. In this same unit, my professor assigned more academic readings, such as Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan and Jean Jacques Rousseau’s On the Social Contract. Based on the academic readings alone, the concept of a social contract wasn’t fully clear to me, but once we watched the film, I understood it, and it helped me understand the readings more clearly because I could relate it to the story in M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village.

Much of the power of narrative can be attributed to its ability to transport individuals into the realms of others’ experiences, emotions, and perspectives. This is an immersive quality that can only be found in readers or viewers to give them insight into, even those from different backgrounds or cultures, that they might not experience in real life. Empathy, the emotional bridge connecting individuals, is an essential component of human interaction (Keen 201). In her article “A Theory of Narrative Empathy,” Dr. Suzanne Keen describes that empathy is so significant because it is “in empathy,…, we feel what we believe to be the emotions of others” (201). Rooted in the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, empathy transcends other emotions like sympathy, delving into a resonance with the experiences of those around us. Keen expands that the capacity for empathy is primitive and that humans’ ability to “match feelings” is suggestive that humans are “basically similar to each other with a limited number of variations.” (212). This finding alludes to the idea that humans have an infinite potential for tolerance towards one another. If exposed to people with differences, but in a way that allows them to see themselves in that person, people are able to empathize with those characters. In modern society, where diversity is much more accepted, a narrative’s ability to evoke empathy is a powerful force in promoting tolerance, dismantling barriers, and cultivating a sense of community where the well-being of one becomes less important than the well-being of all.

Narratives also have the power to expand narratives by challenging and reshaping preconceived notions and biases in an uncharged manner. The characters within a narrative can be used to humanize people who are marginalized in society. When a narrative delves into the personal stories of a character, it is easier for the audience to break down oversimplified perceptions, challenge the validity of stereotypes, and understand the motivation of these marginalized individuals (Keen 224). When there is prejudice held against a group, other groups tend to have an aversion to that group based on ideals and surface-level information. Instead of adhering to one-dimensional portrayals or interactions, narratives unfold layers of a character’s personality, motivations, and struggles, encouraging a more nuanced understanding of individuals and their circumstances. Readers and viewers typically identify with characters, and this identification is the tool that encourages empathy because then people can step into the shoes of the characters they consume. Unfamiliar cultures and viewpoints can be presented, encouraging the consumers to question their own beliefs without the directness of a conversation, for example. Not only that but literature and films serve as windows into different cultures. Narrative is the only way for the majority to be immersed in the customs, traditions, and daily lives of diverse communities. In this way, the immersion within narratives counteracts cultural stereotypes. Today’s narratives also explore the intersectionality of identity, acknowledging that individuals possess multiple, overlapping aspects of identity, such as race, gender, and socio-economic status. The idea of intersectionality is a fairly new one, but we understand that those with intersectional ideals tend to face more extensive struggles than those who do not. By portraying characters with intersecting identities, narratives challenge simplistic categorizations and encourage a more comprehensive understanding of human complexity.

My classes at USC were the driving force that made me realize the power that narrative has to invoke empathy. In my sociocultural anthropology class, we mainly study ethnic groups, their culture, and their practices. Much of the research in this field is based on accounts and stories from individuals within that ethnic group. Certain practices, like infanticide, are practiced among these groups that would not be accepted in Western society. However, accompanied by a story about how that infant’s family was already famished and could not support another child, it might bring a sense of understanding that would not have been given otherwise. Though we may not agree with the method, we can imagine that if we were placed in their shoes, we may be faced with the same choice. Narratives were my first indicator of how important narrative is and its ability to foster empathetic understanding.

Narrative can also be used by authors as a tool to foster empathy in personal connections. In narratives, authors can use figurative language, i.e., metaphors, symbolism, etc, to provide the audience with a visual beyond a conversation, for example. If an author wrote, “I felt grief,” the audience would understand, but it’s very straightforward. However, if the author wrote, “My grief feels like an anchor sinking into the depths of my soul,” it would elicit a far more empathetic, intense response. The narrative also allows authors to navigate emotional landscapes without being explicit or using overwhelming descriptions. This indirect approach allows audiences to interpret and internalize emotions, fostering a more personal and empathetic engagement.

As a writer, I use narrative to unpack my emotions and share them with others. Recently, my father was in an incubator, and I was faced with the decision of whether or not to continue treatment. It’s safe to say that I’ve experienced emotions that basic language like “I feel sad” or “I’m anxious” didn’t convey the way I wanted my loved ones to understand them. When I got into my first-ever relationship, I had no idea how to express to my partner how I felt. Then, I took a class on creative writing, and we were encouraged to form narratives. Suddenly, instead of being confined to language like “I feel sad,” in my story, I could say that the character “was painted blue on the inside.” For me, narrative was more effective than everyday speech in allowing me to be fully vulnerable with my emotions, and that allowed my loved ones to understand me better and be more empathetic of my circumstances.

The power of narrative storytelling to shape our moral values and foster empathy is undeniable and will continue to impact human connection until the end of time. From childhood bedtime stories that lay the foundation for our moral compass to adulthood, where narratives continue to influence and reshape our perspectives, storytelling remains an integral part of the human experience. In addition, narratives uniquely challenge preconceived notions by presenting characters and situations that humanize those who may be marginalized or stereotyped in society. Not only that, but narratives have just as much of a positive impact on both the authors and filmmakers creating them, as the audiences that enjoy them. Storytelling is universal and timeless, so its influence on human connections will forever continue. As a society, we just have to continue to use them to promote positive values, and be mindful about how the impacts narratives have.

Works Cited

Trach, Jessica. “Chapter 1: Humans Are Social and Emotional Beings.” UNESCO MGIEP, mgiep.unesco.org/article/humans-are-social-and-emotional-beings#:~:text=Humans%20are%20born%20with%20an,learning%20and%20higher%2Dorder%20cognition.

Gambini-Buffalo, Bert. “Stories Can Shape Moral Values in Kids.” Futurity, 7 Oct. 2021, www.futurity.org/morals-books-children-education-2638992-2/.

Keen, Suzanne. A Theory of Narrative Empathy , www.jstor.org/stable/20107388.

“The Power of Storytelling: Creating and Curating Stories for Deeper Learning and Higher Engagement.” MOBTS 2019 — OpenConf Peer Review & Conference Management System, mobts.org/conference/2019/modules/request.php?module=oc_proceedings&action=view.php&id=31&file=1%2F31.pdf&a=Accept%2B-%2BProceedings.

“Why Do Teenagers like Scary Movies?” You Are Mom, 30 July 2022, youaremom.com/teens/parenting-teens/understanding-your-teen/why-do-teenagers-like-scary-movies/. Accessed 14 Nov. 2023.

Hahn, L., Tamborini, R., Prabhu, S., Grall, C., Novotny, E., & Klebig, B. (2022). Narrative media’s emphasis on distinct moral intuitions alters early adolescents’ judgments. Journal of Media Psychology: Theories, Methods, and Applications, 34(3), 165–176. doi:https://doi.org/10.1027/1864-1105/a000307

Narvaez, D., Bentley, J., Gleason, T., and Samuels, J. (1998). Moral theme comprehension in third grade, fifth grade and college students. Reading Psychol. 19(2): 217–241.

Yasmin, Kyra. “Who I Am: How Horror Movies Shaped Me.” Medium, Writing 340, 31 Oct. 2023, medium.com/writing-340/who-i-am-how-horror-movies-shaped-me-df977119ccf4.