The Purpose of Storytelling: Then and Now

Stories are teachers. They teach us how to act. They teach us of the world and of what it could be in spite of what it currently is. It provides an optimistic outlook on humanity but it can also be cruel. It can hold your hand through the toughest journey but it can also cause you to slip when at the peak of the treacherous mountain. Because of this they hold the ability to guide us through the highs and lows of life.

Intentional or not stories have always served a purpose, most believe that they are merely for entertainment but more than that stories have a way of imparting what it means to be human, from everyday happenings to the more philosophical questions of our existence. The art of storytelling has been a staple of humanity for as long as language has existed and continues to persevere despite the challenges of technological advancement.

From the cavemen of long ago with their drawings depicting the fierce environment and wildlife of the prehistoric era to the intricate hieroglyphics that document the religious practices and beliefs of the Egyptians. The oral storytellers of such civilizations like the Greeks and Sumerians that shaped society through the passing of legends and ballads of heroes, gods, monsters, and all things spectacular. As time progressed and moved forward so did the complexity and delivery of these tall tales. Theatre, Books, and soon Film, came into the scene adding further depth to the structures that had been priorly developed. Through such formats themes and concepts can be given room to expand. Stories became more personal with subject matters ranging from the fantastical to the mundane and everything in between.

All stories are meant to entertain but it is important to know that all stories have a secondary purpose, to some, this purpose may even supersede entertainment. This secondary purpose is of course to educate. One of the oldest forms of stories is what we call the cautionary tale. You may not be familiar with it by name, but I’m sure you’ve heard your fair share of such stories throughout your life. Take for example the fairytale by Hans Christian Anderson, titled “The Red Shoes” a story about a little girl who wears a pair of red shoes to church and afterwards is unable to take them off, propelled to dance with them on, she subsequently dies from exhaustion. The story exaggeratingly illustrates the dangers of vanity. A lot of fairytales and children’s folklore are mainly written as cautionary tales, as, of course, who else is more in need of a lesson on discipline than a child.

Yet, that’s not to say that all cautionary tales are meant for children or are only reserved for old stories. Contemporary examples such as films like ‘ The Substance’ come to mind. A 2024 film that depicts the descent of former Hollywood starlet Elizabeth Sparkle into self mutilation and her turning into a literal monster as she is sidelined in favour of a younger and sexier actress simply named Sue; and the twist? Elizabeth and Sue are one in the same person with Sue being a byproduct of a fictional drug called the substance that builds a better and stronger version of yourself. Of course, as to be expected with these types of stories things don’t exactly go according to plan, with both personalities beginning to abuse the use of the substance leading to dire consequences.

Similar to ‘The Red Shoes’ the film exhibits the ramifications of vanity. The main difference between the two is that while ‘The Red Shoes’ provides an oversimplification of its core message and an even quicker punishment ‘The Substance’ doubles down on its commentary through exploring additional themes such as age discrimination and the objectification of women in conjunction to the vain attitude that the lead character has. In this area, modern story telling excels and eclipses its predecessor, stories of the past focused on the individual actions and the instant ramifications but the stories of today not only focus on the action but what preceded it. Instead of saying “don’t do this, it’s bad” it’s conversation or teaching moment is framed more towards introspection and exploration, telling the audience “here’s the factors that leads to one doing these things" not only looking inwards but outwardly to society and its flaws. This approach is not meant to justify these actions but with this angle the discussion becomes one that leans more towards the empathetic and understanding nature of storytelling.

Instead of simply fearing the outcome of the story it hands you the tools to identify it and cut it off. It becomes more of an active and anecdotal process. This is where storytelling in the modern day shows its value and relevance. In an era, where less and less physical communication is happening between people and important observations such as social cues, structures, and boundaries are getting harder to discern for many. Stories primarily in this case film, if analyzed thoroughly and viewed through a critical lens, becomes an active portal for self-accountability and social liability, thus building upon the original intent of our ancestors to forward lessons within the community and instill appropriate values among individuals.