Interesting. After reading Chapter two in Schank, the following passages jumped out at me:
"That is, the art of storytelling involves finding good ways to express one's experiences in a way appropriate to the listener." (36) "Telling our stories allows us to compile our personal mythology, and the collection of stories we have compiled is to some extent who we are, what we have to say about the world, and tells the world the state of our mental health." (44) "When you tell a story that implies something is wrong with yourself, you may hope for a story that disputes your point." (44) And finally, "...mutual storytelling, even in the form of an argument, can make the storytellers feel closer to each other." (44)
After the storytelling performance today, Kenny, Jui-Tseng and I went to the Cranberry Thistle to talk. It was a wonderful time of sharing experiences, goals and challenges relating to becoming storytellers. As I thought back on some of the stories we told each other, these three passages applied beautifully. Some of the stories told I had heard before - 'personal mythologies,' perhaps. I remember telling at least one story that implied something was wrong with me - secretly hoping for a story that would dispute that point. And finally, the telling of our stories to each other definitely made me feel closer to both Kenny and Jui-Tseng. It made me wonder if Schank had eavesdropped on a conversation similar to ours!!