Stories shape the world as they are one of the most effective ways people communicate. These narratives captivate audiences while conveying important messages and information. Not only can these stories be informative, they are a fun way to convey messages. The impact that stories have on the world is incredibly undervalued and underappreciated. In a nutshell, stories are the crux of the way we perceive the world. They shape our lives and our perception of the world by showing purpose and meaning through a universal language. Thomas King’s Massey Lecture “The Truth about Stories,” sheds light on the power of stories and how stories shape identity and culture. Firstly, King highlights the power of storytelling and narratives, ranging from simple …show more content…
Billions of people have shaped their entire lives around these stories, as the narratives were so important and impactful, it shaped their beliefs. King also stated that, “stories are wondrous things”. And they are dangerous.” This shows that despite stories bringing such a simple method of communication, their impacts can be monumental, Secondly, King sheds light on how stories correlate to identity and culture. Stories are passed down from generation to generation, and are shaped by culture and heritage. King confirms this when he quoted storyteller Jeanette Armstrong, “Through my language I understand I am being spoken to, I’m not the one speaking. The words come from many tongues and mouths of Okanagan people and the land around them. I am a listener to the language’s stories, and when my words form I am merely retelling the same stories in different patterns.” This example shows that our identity is directly created from storytelling, whether that is from historical accounts, religious beliefs, or cultural legends. Again, religious beliefs are a good example of how stories can impact culture, as people shape their entire lives and part of their identity around these