Storytelling Basics
Define storytelling in your own words and explain why it is important for culture.
Storytelling is the sharing of narratives—oral, written, or performed—that pass on values, traditions, and knowledge, forming the foundation of culture.
How did the Ainu of Japan preserve their culture when written records were suppressed?
Through oral storytelling traditions.
Name one feature of Japanese storytelling traditions.
Puppet theater (kabuki, Nō drama), manga, anime, kamishibai, etc.
How has technology changed storytelling?
New media like film, TV, and social media have expanded storytelling forms and audiences.
What is a national myth?
A narrative that shapes a nation’s identity and shared values.
What are two ways storytelling shapes cultural identity?
It delivers shared values/beliefs and anchors a group’s sense of self through rituals, ceremonies, and narratives.
What role do West African griots play in their societies?
They are hereditary storytellers, historians, and advisors, preserving culture across generations.
How is Brazilian storytelling unique compared to Greek or Japanese traditions?
It is interactive, improvisational, and often shaped by audience participation.
Give one example of storytelling adapting to technology.
U.S. narratives became more adult in the 1960s–70s; digital platforms host global stories.
Give one example of a U.S. national myth.
The “American Dream” or the cowboy frontier myth.
Name three forms of storytelling mentioned in the article.
Fables, myths, legends (or oral traditions, media, etc.).
Give an example from the article where storytelling was used to comment on society under censorship.
The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov during Soviet censorship.
Compare Native American storytelling with Greek myths.
Native American tales often use allegory to shape identity; Greek myths often explain creation and morality.
How does language shape a story?
Through its structure, rhythm, and culturally rooted vocabulary.
Why do certain myths remain popular for centuries?
They contain universal themes, archetypes, and moral lessons that remain relevant.
Which storytelling theory describes universal themes found across cultures?
Joseph Campbell’s concept of the monomyth (Hero’s Journey).
Name one Indian storytelling tradition mentioned.
Bhats (bards), the epic Ramayana, or kirtan/katha spiritual musical narratives.
Which culture uses songlines to pass down stories?
Australian Aboriginal culture.
What’s an example of vocabulary carrying cultural history?
Sanskrit word “dharma” or Polynesian “mana.”
How can storytelling strengthen identity in modern organizations?
By sharing narratives that reinforce shared values, mission, and culture.
What does the author mean by calling stories “cultural palimpsests”?
They are layers of meaning that reveal a culture’s priorities, heroes, and taboos.
Which culture’s storytelling is dynamic and improvisational, often reacting to the audience?
Brazilian storytelling.
What is Gaelic storytelling known for?
The Seanchaidh oral tradition, fairy lore (e.g., selkies), and its literary influence.
Name two modern spheres for storytelling beyond books and movies.
Social media and organizational culture.
Name two examples of British legends that shape cultural memory.
King Arthur and Robin Hood.