Barry-Human Narrative and the Role of Storytelling

Fisher’s work, Human Communication as Narration, discusses the essential role of storytelling in the lives of human beings. He argues that humans, as rhetorical beings, are as much valuing as reasoning animals. Therefore, we search for meaning in various outlets. Fisher sets up what has come to be known as the “narrative paradigm”, which pairs argumentative persuasion with literary aestheticism. Human beings are homo narrans—storytellers. Fisher borrows from Kenneth Burke the definition of man as a symbol making/using/misusing animal. Human beings need to relay information through stories and symbols. Symbols created as stories are meant to give order to the human experience.  This relates to Bormann’s ides on “fantasy themes”. He argues that rhetorical fictions, as per their nature, construct both facts and faith with persuasive force.  Storytelling is inherently a human necessity which we encounter on a daily basis. Every minute aspect of communication has some level of storytelling built into it. History in-and-of-itself is a collective relaying of past stories for the purposes of enlightening further generations. Within every story, whether fiction or nonfiction , there is a spark of truth. Tales may not always be inherently true, but they, in some way, signify some greater understanding. Likewise, storytelling is not some passive event. We are part of the narrative and must actively engage in conversation. Storytelling thus implements the creative aspects of the human experience and connects to a larger communal appreciation of the quest for truth.