Function of Storytelling Essay Example for Free

Function of Storytelling EssayThe novel Atonement by Ian MCewan and the short point The Things They Carried by Tom OBrien both employ storytelling as a form of redemption. This is achieved in each text through the narrators freedom to manipulate the content and truth of the narrative in beau monde to amend past wrongs and to imagine a more comforting, alternate reality. In Atonement, the narrator , Briony uses her typographical error imagination to alter the story of her lifespan in hope to seek redemption for past actions with coarse consequence, while the narrator in Tim OBriens The Things They Carried tells and retells his version of the reminiscence to help it become real. Both narratives show storytelling to be a possible healing process.P1-First step to redemption is to admit the reason for your deception. A novels allows narrator to pretend the motive behind his/her sin.Briony initial stage towarfareds redemption is by confessing the dangers of interpretation. quot e- To herreading a disapprobation and understanding it were the same thing as with the crooking of a finger, nonhing between them. There was no gaolbreak during which symbols were unravelled(37) -quote shows Brionys belief in the ease of interpretation which leads her to jump to conclusions she can never change. The institutionalize for the tragedy is not only due to Brionys misinterpretation of events , but the misguided nature of interperation provided by books.The Things They Carried -The narrator describes the difficult conditions of war by describing the emotional and physical baggage they carry. deputy Jimmy Cross carried the love letters from Martha. These vile conditions forced Lieutenant cross to day dream about Martha which lead to Ted Lavenders death. -quotetold they carry pocket knives, change tabs, wristwatchesand two or three canteens of water which weigh between 15 and 20 pounds(241). -quote allows the reader to intuitive feeling the overwhelming weight of bei ng a soldier, which words cant simply explain. The narrator demonstrates the reasoning for Lieutenant crosss daydreaming as a way to escape from chaos of Vietnam war.P2-Using storytelling another step towards redemption is interpreted by characters revealing repentance by punishing themselves for their wrong doing (reveal repentance/remorse) -briony becomes a nurse and turns off Cambridge. She writes about the hard work she does as a nurse. quote Whatever skivvying or humble nursing she did and however well or hard she did it, whatever illumination in tutorial she had relinquished ,or life moment on a college lawn, she would never undo the damage. She was unforgivable-Lieutenant Jimmy burns Marthas letter and pictures, hence destroying his distracting fantasy in order to become a true soldier -quote Lavender was dead. You couldnt burn the blame-Something is missing in explanation. How can I tie in that acts of remorse both did not buzz off amends.P3-Novel is attempt by narrator s to erase the wrong he/she did. The outcome of redemption differs for each narrator. -Briony alters the remainder of the polish of the story in hope to seek redemption but does not achieve it because quote The conundrum of these fifty-nine years has been thishow can a novelist achieve atonement when, with her absolute power of deciding outcomes, she is in like manner God? There is no one , no entity of higher form that she can appeal to, or be reconciled with, or that can forgive her -No matter how many times she rewrites the story she will never receive Robbie and Ceciles forgiveness. She cant achieve self forgiveness because no alternate ending that she imagines will replace the true ending. -The only way Briony will end her guilt is when her memory fails and she dies. (disease)-Narrator for The Things They Carried achieves redemption for Ted Lavenders death because storytelling allows the memories of Ted Lavender to stay alive. -Storytelling enables the narrators memories to be shaped and rearranged in order to make mavin of past events and make them real -The narrator achieves redemption for Ted Lavenders death by storytelling because each time the story is told or retold the soldiers in the Alpha Company are being given a new life each time by the reader. -quoteAt first, we get he was shot and killed outside Than Khe (OBrien 241) and gradually learn Ted Lavender was shot in the head on his way back from peeing (OBrien 246).