The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human by Jonathan Gottschall

In his 2012 book The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human, author Jonathan Gottschall brings together a variety of scientific studies and research to explain why humans are so drawn to narrative. Gottschall explains that storytelling functions as both a form of entertainment and a fundamental part of how humans make sense of our world.

Gottschall begins his argument by delving into how our brains are wired to interpret the world through stories. He explains that every moment of human experience – from the morning commute to the dream we have at night – can be understood as a narrative. He identifies the various components of story craft – conflict, characters, setting, climax and resolution – which can be found in nearly every type of narrative. From this, Gottschall draws a vein of continuity that stretches across time and culture.

Gottschall goes on to discuss the universal appeal of stories, noting that humans everywhere have an instinctual need for narrative. He explains that story craft is so ingrained in us that people will take existing stories and adapt or transform them to suit their own needs, creating something entirely new in the process.

He further argues that stories can be incredibly powerful, allowing us to learn lessons, create communities and allow us to engage more deeply with the world around us. Gottschall highlights the ways in which our most beloved stories – such as “The Odyssey” or “The Chronicles of Narnia” – have continued to influence and shape our culture.

The remainder of the book journeys into the scientific research around storytelling, examining the biological and social aspects of narrative. Gottschall highlights the ways in which our brains respond to story arcs and themes, creating a sense of arousal and pleasure in the reader or viewer. He brings together studies of perception, emotion, and psychology to further articulate his point about the deep connection among humans and narrative. He asserts that, although stories have deep roots in our evolutionary past, modern society and technology have only further amplified the power of narrative in our day to day lives.

Ultimately, Gottschall argues that stories are part of our very DNA and have the capacity to alter our perceptions of the world and build bridges of meaning, connection and understanding. He argues that the sheer ubiquity of stories – and our affinity for them – has the potential to shape both who we are individually and how we interact with one another.

The Storytelling Animal provides readers with an in-depth and compelling look at why stories remain such an essential part of our lives across time and culture. Gottschall effectively argues that stories are as much a part of our humanity as language and reason, and that they serve an essential role in our daily lives.