1.) The main point of the chapter “Why Stories Matter” extends from Polletta’s persuasive exploration of why storytelling sometimes does or does not work to leverage social or political changes. Throughout the duration of this reading, she successfully argues that telling a story can either express unacknowledged truths or spread falsehoods, and because of this, people often don't take stories seriously.
2.) During the course of this chapter, Polletta explores how stories (or narratives) are used and interpreted as an integral part of the workings of social and political changes. Additionally, she presents a range of issues which she emphasizes through two key claims. In the first claim Polletta reasons “for disadvantaged groups, narrative comes with risks as well as benefits” (p. 3). Whereas in the second point she claims that “stories are …show more content…
Polletta intertwines a compelling narrative on narrative through cautiously exploring how stories can empower and also how they can constrain. According to Polletta’s observations, the reason that she studies storytelling in movements is because “movements have been such important forces for social change and because that illuminate cultural processes that operate much more broadly” (p. 8). This is where she brings up culture shaping identities and reason for choices. Correspondingly, Poletta argues that disadvantaged group’s use of narrative comes with risks and benefits. Also, she persuades that storytelling is a social movement tactic. The actual argument that Polletta is making through this chapter suggests that “popular beliefs about storytelling – about how authoritative it is, when it is appropriate, and how it is properly responded to – may curb the impact of otherwise compelling stories” (p. 4). Towards the end of her study, Polletta disputes that the stories which have the greatest impact on people are not ones with unambiguous messages. Instead, she declares that the stories with the greatest
2.) During the course of this chapter, Polletta explores how stories (or narratives) are used and interpreted as an integral part of the workings of social and political changes. Additionally, she presents a range of issues which she emphasizes through two key claims. In the first claim Polletta reasons “for disadvantaged groups, narrative comes with risks as well as benefits” (p. 3). Whereas in the second point she claims that “stories are …show more content…
Polletta intertwines a compelling narrative on narrative through cautiously exploring how stories can empower and also how they can constrain. According to Polletta’s observations, the reason that she studies storytelling in movements is because “movements have been such important forces for social change and because that illuminate cultural processes that operate much more broadly” (p. 8). This is where she brings up culture shaping identities and reason for choices. Correspondingly, Poletta argues that disadvantaged group’s use of narrative comes with risks and benefits. Also, she persuades that storytelling is a social movement tactic. The actual argument that Polletta is making through this chapter suggests that “popular beliefs about storytelling – about how authoritative it is, when it is appropriate, and how it is properly responded to – may curb the impact of otherwise compelling stories” (p. 4). Towards the end of her study, Polletta disputes that the stories which have the greatest impact on people are not ones with unambiguous messages. Instead, she declares that the stories with the greatest