John Berger and Susan Sontag quite disagree —on How to Tell a Story (shortcut)

Summary

The video script features a profound discussion on the nature and evolution of storytelling. It delves into the distinction between factual and fictional narratives, the role of imagination, and the impact of written versus oral traditions. The conversation explores the idea that stories can be both universal and personal, with the power to transport us beyond our immediate experiences. It also touches on the challenges and responsibilities of the storyteller, the significance of character development, and the modernist perspective on literature. The dialogue highlights the diversity of storytelling forms and the importance of language and voice in the creative process, reflecting on the inherent tension between reality and the absurd, and the quest for meaning within stories.

Takeaways

• 📚 Storytelling serves as a form of shelter, both in its primitive origins and its modern diversified forms.
• 🎨 The distinction between true stories and imagined or invented ones is a common consideration in storytelling.
• 🌐 Storytelling can be both universal and personal, with stories existing both everywhere and nowhere.
• 🎭 The power of storytelling is in its ability to transport people outside of themselves and engage their imagination.
• 🎬 The advent of writing allowed for different kinds of stories to be told, especially those that are better suited to the written form.
• 📽 The influence of movies and their editing techniques has inspired the way stories are told in literature, such as telling multiple stories simultaneously.
• 🤔 The debate on whether stories need to have meaning and the role of the author in assigning meaning to them is highlighted.
• 🛐 The concept of inevitability or necessity in storytelling is discussed, suggesting that a story should have a certain quality that makes it essential.
• 👥 The role of the audience and the ethical responsibility of the storyteller are considered, especially in relation to the truthfulness of the story.
• 📖 The difference between writing essays and writing fiction is explored, with the latter being more connected to language, tone, and voice.
• 🎭 The conversation touches on modernist assumptions about literature and the questioning of these assumptions in contemporary storytelling.

Q & A

What is the significance of 'shelter' in the context of storytelling as discussed in the script?

In the script, 'shelter' is metaphorically tied to the idea of storytelling providing a safe space, both in terms of the origin of stories and the internal 'shelter' that stories create within themselves as a form of refuge or sanctuary.

How does the script differentiate between a true story and an imagined or invented story?

The script suggests that people often make a distinction between true stories and those that are imagined or invented. However, it also points out that stories exist in a realm that is both everywhere and nowhere, challenging the binary of truth and fiction.

What is the role of the storyteller in relation to the audience according to the discussion?

The role of the storyteller, as discussed, is to mediate stories to the audience, giving them meaning and form. The storyteller is seen as someone who can redeem reality by suggesting the absurd or by providing a narrative that makes sense of life's experiences.

How does the script view the relationship between storytelling and the oral tradition?

The script implies that storytelling has evolved from oral traditions but has since diversified, with stories now being mediated through various forms, including images and written forms that were not possible in oral storytelling.

What is the significance of the statement 'fiction seems to me every story has its own subjectivity'?

This statement suggests that each story carries its own perspective and personal viewpoint, which is integral to its essence. It emphasizes the individuality and unique voice that each story brings to the narrative.

How does the script relate the process of writing stories to the process of making movies?

The script draws a parallel between writing stories and making movies, particularly in terms of editing and cutting between scenes. It suggests that writing can be like directing a film, with the writer controlling the narrative flow and the reader's reactions.

What does the script suggest about the role of dreams in storytelling?

The script presents a viewpoint that dreams are inherently meaningful, with every event in a dream having some form of significance, either explicit or implicit. This contrasts with the idea that dreams are random or meaningless.

How does the script discuss the concept of inevitability or necessity in storytelling?

The script suggests that a story should have a quality of inevitability or necessity, which may contribute to its essential quality. This implies that a story should feel as though it had to be told in the way it was, reflecting a sense of purpose and inevitability.

What is the script's perspective on the relationship between storytelling and the depiction of life?

The script posits that storytelling is closely tied to the depiction of life, with stories often being a means to make life more 'readable' and recountable. It also suggests that the end of a story can mark the beginning of a new phase of life.

How does the script view the evolution of storytelling and its modern forms?

The script acknowledges the evolution of storytelling, noting that modern forms have expanded the resources available to storytellers. It also suggests that action in modern storytelling can be more static, with a focus on character development rather than a sequence of events.

What does the script imply about the role of language in the process of writing stories?

The script implies that language plays a central role in the writing process, with the writer hearing voices or sentences in their head that guide the narrative. It suggests that the process of writing a story is intimately connected with language, tone, and voice.