Being able to tell and being heard are the two pillars in the development of social skills. People that are able to express themselves will be heard. People that are heard will feel respected, their self-esteem will grow and they will be able to interact actively within society. Storytelling can help people to express themselves in a strong way.
The awareness of narrative structures can help people to tell their story in a way that others are willing to listen. You can easily train people in using narrative structures.
The awareness of narrative structures can help people to tell their story in a way that others are willing to listen. You can easily train people in using narrative structures.
The Hero with the Thousand Faces (1949) by Joseph Campbell is a good starting point. He describes the journey of a hero in seventeen stages, divided in three main phases:
In the Departure part of the narrative, the hero or protagonist lives in the ordinary world and receives a call to go on an adventure. The hero is reluctant to follow the call, but is helped by a mentor figure.
The Initiation section begins with the hero then traversing the threshold to the unknown or "special world", where he faces tasks or trials, either alone or with the assistance of helpers.
The hero eventually reaches "the innermost cave" or the central crisis of his adventure, where he must undergo "the ordeal" where he overcomes the main obstacle or enemy, undergoing "apotheosis" and gaining his reward (a treasure or "elixir").
The hero must then return to the ordinary world with his reward. He may be pursued by the guardians of the special world, or he may be reluctant to return, and may be rescued or forced to return by intervention from the outside.
In the Return section, the hero again traverses the threshold between the worlds, returning to the ordinary world with the treasure or elixir he gained, which he may now use for the benefit of his fellow man. The hero himself is transformed by the adventure and gains wisdom or spiritual power over both worlds.
This structure of a journey can be applied to many stories and exploring fairy tales, folktales and legends you will discover that they all have this structure. Being aware of this general structure can help everybody to tell a story in a powerful way.
Another aspect of storytelling is the use of imagination and the ability to stimulate the imagination of the listener. Many people are not aware of their talent to use words to get the imagination of the listener working. Easy exercises can make people aware of this talent, exercises in using fantasy, creativity and improvisation.
Written by Arjen Barel
- departure
- initiation
- return
In the Departure part of the narrative, the hero or protagonist lives in the ordinary world and receives a call to go on an adventure. The hero is reluctant to follow the call, but is helped by a mentor figure.
The Initiation section begins with the hero then traversing the threshold to the unknown or "special world", where he faces tasks or trials, either alone or with the assistance of helpers.
The hero eventually reaches "the innermost cave" or the central crisis of his adventure, where he must undergo "the ordeal" where he overcomes the main obstacle or enemy, undergoing "apotheosis" and gaining his reward (a treasure or "elixir").
The hero must then return to the ordinary world with his reward. He may be pursued by the guardians of the special world, or he may be reluctant to return, and may be rescued or forced to return by intervention from the outside.
In the Return section, the hero again traverses the threshold between the worlds, returning to the ordinary world with the treasure or elixir he gained, which he may now use for the benefit of his fellow man. The hero himself is transformed by the adventure and gains wisdom or spiritual power over both worlds.
This structure of a journey can be applied to many stories and exploring fairy tales, folktales and legends you will discover that they all have this structure. Being aware of this general structure can help everybody to tell a story in a powerful way.
Another aspect of storytelling is the use of imagination and the ability to stimulate the imagination of the listener. Many people are not aware of their talent to use words to get the imagination of the listener working. Easy exercises can make people aware of this talent, exercises in using fantasy, creativity and improvisation.
Written by Arjen Barel