“Narrative
analysis is an activity of cultural analysis.”
----------
Bal’s
assertion that framing turns narrative analysis into cultural analysis provides
a thought-provoking viewpoint on the role culture plays in the creation and
development of narratives. In the process of interpreting narratives she
clearly says that we can see culture in the stories a society tells. The correlation
between cultural content and narratives offers deeper understanding of texts. As we study narratives we get a glimpse of a
societies’ values, morals, and messages that were important. This statement
ties in with Abbott’s identification of the functions narratives serve in
society.
The
functions that narratives serve in society points to how culture can be found
in texts. They have many functions including telling history, values, and
teaching morals. As a reader the narratives would communicate the principles a
society found important and the storytellers’ worldview. These functions
specifically illustrate the interweaving of culture in narratives. We
understand the world around us in relation to our culture. Narratives help us
to understand our experiences and communicate our perception of those events.
The analysis of narratives uncovers cultural content and can be found in the
stories we tell as a nation.
We value
the American dream and highlight stories were people have achieved it despite
having to overcome difficult beginnings. The American dream exemplifies ideals
that as a nation we value including freedom, opportunity, success, and upward
mobility. Home ownership and access to education are two examples of elements
often found in American dream narratives. These stories underscore cultural
values and communicate clear information about what we value as a nation.
Whether the American dream is dead or if it communicates negative values
(consumerism) is debatable.
In
examining narratives we not only see a cultures’ ideology, but also differences
in linguistics and paralanguage. The connection between the elements found
within narratives reinforces Bal’s overall premise. In the study of narratives cultural
information naturally comes to the forefront because of their function and
content.
Tonya,
ReplyDeleteI love your example of the American Dream! Because of my bicultural background, the emphasis on the American Dream is something that speaks true to me. I do, however, find it odd that people have twisted this very important cultural ideal to mean something else. Many Americans do not understand the historic and cultural meaning behind this idea; many now see the American Dram as simply lots of money, fast cars, and being rich. That's not really the American Dream. To me, to this day, I see the American Dram as the freedom to achieve anything one wishes to achieve. Further, to me, the American Dream is a house of my own and a comfortable life, but most important of all, the American Dream is the freedom to live, the freedom to dream, and the freedom to conquer.
Thank you for discussing this very important cultural element in your reflection this week.
Awesome Job!
Tonya,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Aida that the idea of the American Dream was an interesting example of narrative analysis as cultural analysis. Seeing how the ideals of American culture are reflected in our stories is fascinating. As well, I think this same example can be used to identify the lenses through which various cultures view other cultures. For instance, to use your example, we could look at how other cultures depict these American values in their own stories.
I want to push back a little here - is there really only one American Dream? Doesn't that phrase suggest a very complex and precarious representation of a multi-faceted value system? Has it ever been a truly positive narrative - if it ever has been one consistent narrative? Has it only recently (and by that I mean in the beginning of the 20th century) been represented as a divisive ideal?
ReplyDelete