What Does Narrative Do?

Narrative is at the heart of how we perceive, understand, and interact with the world. It shapes our identities, connects us with others, and provides a framework to understand complex ideas and experiences. From early childhood, storytelling begins as a natural way to process and communicate our experiences—whether it is explaining to a parent why we are upset or imagining fantastical adventures with toys. These narratives grow more intricate as we age, evolving into the stories we read, watch, and tell others. Indeed, narratives have the power to explain who we are, make sense of the past, and prepare us for the future. Thus, this essay explores how narratives shape identity, foster empathy, and connect us to broader cultural and temporal contexts, underscoring their centrality to the human experience.