Honors On-line Forum: storytelling

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Barbara
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Joined: 17 Aug 2006
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Posts: 17

Topic: storytelling
Posted: 17 Jul 2007 at 11:46am

After reading this book I am now more aware of the way we tell stories to create meaning in our lives. Has reading this book made you more conscious of what stories we tell, how we tell them and what we don't tell?

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abrewer
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Joined: 08 Jun 2007
Location: United States
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Posts: 3

Posted: 12 Aug 2007 at 12:22am

I'm sure that many of us who are in the Honors College were read stories growing up. I have always loved reading, and being read to as a young child definitely instilled that value in me. Reading this book, and seeing how this one mans story was able to change my view on the world and Afghanistan, has helped me to realize that story telling is an important element that our society is beginning to lose touch with.

Many people listen when someone actually speaks about their lives, especially if they grew up in a foreign country. As a whole society, I believe we are fascinated with different cultures because of our melting pot society. We are never able to fully experience a culture that we have only touched base with here because of the immigrants from all the "old countries". Stories that are told by these people are important for their families to remember where they came from. It is important for those of us who have that history to continue to tell it to our children and friends. In the novel, Tamim was able to contrast the lives that he led in both societies. His life in Afghanistan is one that I could have never guessed. The way the other children treated him when his family moved to the compound was horrendous. I'm sure there are things that aren't told, and I believe they should be.

That river project that his father was working on seemed incredibly important. Yet, when they finally put it into motion many outcomes had never been considered, and it caused their country to go into an even more serious economic depression. I am very proud of the author that he was able, and willing to publish the mistake that his father and fathers colleagues had made. Many history books won't tell you that because it was sanctioned by the United States.

I see story telling as incredibly important. I only hope that one day I will have an amazing story to tell about my life.

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Lynn
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Joined: 08 Aug 2007
Location: United States
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Posts: 3

Posted: 12 Aug 2007 at 1:08pm

This book reveals the personal importance of storytelling. As Ansary demonstrates throughout the book, stories of one’s family are a source of pride. I remember thinking that it seemed as if every one of his relatives had some amazing quality or position, but I realize that his accomplished relatives define the importance of his family. I know that many people tell stories about extraordinary relatives. Being connected to someone important makes you feel important. When others are talking about military or wars, I sometimes comment that both of my grandfathers and my grandmother served during WWII. There accomplishments make me proud to be part of their family and make me feel like I have done something good.

I also thought that it was interesting that the story he conjured to help him find information for his article about Islam during his journey through the Middle East actually inspired his self-discovery. Thus, what started as a fictional tale became a story of his life and helped him reconnect with his past.

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James MacKenzie
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Joined: 10 Aug 2007
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Posts: 3

Posted: 13 Aug 2007 at 12:49pm

The culture of Afghanistan that had beset Ansary in his childhood fostered an excellent setting for intense and meaningful storytelling. The information age has lead to the deterioration of our society's ability to preserve information through the means of storytelling simply because it is unnecessary. Computers and books have all but replaced this means of passing knowledge to later generations. And, because this skill is no long being used with high frequency in this nation, its potency is fading. The lucid and lucrative stories passed by Ansary's relatives in the novel have made me aware of this trend. I believe at a time America was home to some of the "best" stories in history. Its tales of perseverance in the face of adversity (Revolutionary War, Civil War, Great Depression, WWII) facilitate the greatest kind of storytelling. But it appears in modern society, stories are being told less and less, and their importance forgotten -- a fact that I'm sure many regret.

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scislas
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Joined: 13 Aug 2007
Location: United States
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Posts: 5

Posted: 13 Aug 2007 at 11:02pm

I found it interesting that in Afghanistan they tell stories as away to teach proper behavior. My family has many stories like those as well. Such examples are La llorona which scare kids not to go out at night and be careful who they marry and then there is also the infamous story told many different ways about a girl who disobeys her mother and goes to a dance and ends up dancing with the Devil. That one is told so you mind your parents and elders.

I also agree with the point many people are making on this thread about how people like to tell stories to know where they come from and who they are related to. In my family it is said, but not proven, that I'm related to Victoriano Huerta and Pancho Villa who were enemies in the Mexican Revolution of 1910. This is because one of my Grandmother’s maiden name was Villa and one of my Grandfather's last name is Huerta.

Sylvia

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Barbara
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Joined: 17 Aug 2006
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Posts: 17

Posted: 16 Aug 2007 at 2:36pm

I was also thinking of "stories" in terms of what is not spoken. In one of the later Harry Potter books, Harry comes to a realization during a conversation with Dumbledore. He can see himself as taking an active role or as being forced into a position with respect to his opposition to Voldemort. His decisions about what to do next are bound up in how he chooses to frame his actions ... in other words how he tells his own story both to himself and to others. When you think of the stories you tell about yourself and about your family consider the different ways the stories might have been told and what the choices in the telling imply about what is important to you and your family.

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Steve
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Joined: 26 Apr 2007
Location: United States
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Posts: 6

Posted: 29 Aug 2007 at 7:09am

Yes, I agree with Barbara that it is very important to tell a story with special emphasis on facts which are significant to a story-teller. Besides, a well-chosen way of narration may influence listeners and the way they perceive the situation and people.

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rohit147
Honors Student

Joined: 31 Oct 2007
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Posts: 1

Posted: 31 Oct 2007 at 8:44am

Actually Barbara is quite right, i agree with Steve that a story has to be told with atleast some direct or indirect emphasis on basic facts. Also, the way to tell a story so that the listener is actually potraying himself in the story also generates a lot of interest.

http://www.mmmonline.org

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derricpeterson
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Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Location: United States
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Posts: 1

Posted: 23 Nov 2007 at 6:50am

I must admit I actually liked this book very much. This book is one of the most inetersting masterpieces I've ever read. I remember last year when I had to write an essay on it. Professor said that my essay was one of the best in the group! Smile

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Charles55
Honors Student

Joined: 20 Dec 2007
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Posts: 1

Posted: 20 Dec 2007 at 10:03am

I think it is a book for everyone! It really makes you appreciate life and how sacred it is and that it shouldn't be taken for granted. I for one know after reading this book it will influence me to make some changes to my life.

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West of Kabul ( Forum Locked)
Honors On-line Forum : Book Discussion : West of Kabul

Author	Message
Barbara Moderator Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Online Status: Offline Posts: 17	Topic: storytelling Posted: 17 Jul 2007 at 11:46am
	After reading this book I am now more aware of the way we tell stories to create meaning in our lives. Has reading this book made you more conscious of what stories we tell, how we tell them and what we don't tell?

	IP Logged

abrewer Honors Student Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Posted: 12 Aug 2007 at 12:22am
	I'm sure that many of us who are in the Honors College were read stories growing up. I have always loved reading, and being read to as a young child definitely instilled that value in me. Reading this book, and seeing how this one mans story was able to change my view on the world and Afghanistan, has helped me to realize that story telling is an important element that our society is beginning to lose touch with. Many people listen when someone actually speaks about their lives, especially if they grew up in a foreign country. As a whole society, I believe we are fascinated with different cultures because of our melting pot society. We are never able to fully experience a culture that we have only touched base with here because of the immigrants from all the "old countries". Stories that are told by these people are important for their families to remember where they came from. It is important for those of us who have that history to continue to tell it to our children and friends. In the novel, Tamim was able to contrast the lives that he led in both societies. His life in Afghanistan is one that I could have never guessed. The way the other children treated him when his family moved to the compound was horrendous. I'm sure there are things that aren't told, and I believe they should be. That river project that his father was working on seemed incredibly important. Yet, when they finally put it into motion many outcomes had never been considered, and it caused their country to go into an even more serious economic depression. I am very proud of the author that he was able, and willing to publish the mistake that his father and fathers colleagues had made. Many history books won't tell you that because it was sanctioned by the United States. I see story telling as incredibly important. I only hope that one day I will have an amazing story to tell about my life.
	IP Logged

Lynn Honors Student Joined: 08 Aug 2007 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Posted: 12 Aug 2007 at 1:08pm
	This book reveals the personal importance of storytelling. As Ansary demonstrates throughout the book, stories of one’s family are a source of pride. I remember thinking that it seemed as if every one of his relatives had some amazing quality or position, but I realize that his accomplished relatives define the importance of his family. I know that many people tell stories about extraordinary relatives. Being connected to someone important makes you feel important. When others are talking about military or wars, I sometimes comment that both of my grandfathers and my grandmother served during WWII. There accomplishments make me proud to be part of their family and make me feel like I have done something good. I also thought that it was interesting that the story he conjured to help him find information for his article about Islam during his journey through the Middle East actually inspired his self-discovery. Thus, what started as a fictional tale became a story of his life and helped him reconnect with his past.
	IP Logged

James MacKenzie Honors Student Joined: 10 Aug 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Posted: 13 Aug 2007 at 12:49pm
	The culture of Afghanistan that had beset Ansary in his childhood fostered an excellent setting for intense and meaningful storytelling. The information age has lead to the deterioration of our society's ability to preserve information through the means of storytelling simply because it is unnecessary. Computers and books have all but replaced this means of passing knowledge to later generations. And, because this skill is no long being used with high frequency in this nation, its potency is fading. The lucid and lucrative stories passed by Ansary's relatives in the novel have made me aware of this trend. I believe at a time America was home to some of the "best" stories in history. Its tales of perseverance in the face of adversity (Revolutionary War, Civil War, Great Depression, WWII) facilitate the greatest kind of storytelling. But it appears in modern society, stories are being told less and less, and their importance forgotten -- a fact that I'm sure many regret.
	IP Logged

scislas Honors Student Joined: 13 Aug 2007 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 5	Posted: 13 Aug 2007 at 11:02pm
	I found it interesting that in Afghanistan they tell stories as away to teach proper behavior. My family has many stories like those as well. Such examples are La llorona which scare kids not to go out at night and be careful who they marry and then there is also the infamous story told many different ways about a girl who disobeys her mother and goes to a dance and ends up dancing with the Devil. That one is told so you mind your parents and elders. I also agree with the point many people are making on this thread about how people like to tell stories to know where they come from and who they are related to. In my family it is said, but not proven, that I'm related to Victoriano Huerta and Pancho Villa who were enemies in the Mexican Revolution of 1910. This is because one of my Grandmother’s maiden name was Villa and one of my Grandfather's last name is Huerta.
	Sylvia
	IP Logged

Barbara Moderator Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Online Status: Offline Posts: 17	Posted: 16 Aug 2007 at 2:36pm
	I was also thinking of "stories" in terms of what is not spoken. In one of the later Harry Potter books, Harry comes to a realization during a conversation with Dumbledore. He can see himself as taking an active role or as being forced into a position with respect to his opposition to Voldemort. His decisions about what to do next are bound up in how he chooses to frame his actions ... in other words how he tells his own story both to himself and to others. When you think of the stories you tell about yourself and about your family consider the different ways the stories might have been told and what the choices in the telling imply about what is important to you and your family.
	IP Logged

Steve Honors Student Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 6	Posted: 29 Aug 2007 at 7:09am
	Yes, I agree with Barbara that it is very important to tell a story with special emphasis on facts which are significant to a story-teller. Besides, a well-chosen way of narration may influence listeners and the way they perceive the situation and people.
	IP Logged

rohit147 Honors Student Joined: 31 Oct 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Posted: 31 Oct 2007 at 8:44am
	Actually Barbara is quite right, i agree with Steve that a story has to be told with atleast some direct or indirect emphasis on basic facts. Also, the way to tell a story so that the listener is actually potraying himself in the story also generates a lot of interest.
	http://www.mmmonline.org
	IP Logged

derricpeterson Honors Student Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Posted: 23 Nov 2007 at 6:50am
	I must admit I actually liked this book very much. This book is one of the most inetersting masterpieces I've ever read. I remember last year when I had to write an essay on it. Professor said that my essay was one of the best in the group!
	IP Logged

Charles55 Honors Student Joined: 20 Dec 2007 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Posted: 20 Dec 2007 at 10:03am
	I think it is a book for everyone! It really makes you appreciate life and how sacred it is and that it shouldn't be taken for granted. I for one know after reading this book it will influence me to make some changes to my life.
	IP Logged

Topic: storytelling