The Shape of Stories - Kurt Vonnegut
This is a masterclass on storytelling. And, like all the best masterclasses, it has taken something that seems very complex and made it simple to explain and un...
Key Takeaways
- Kurt Vonnegut simplifies storytelling into recognizable 'shapes' or arcs that define most human narratives.
- Great stories resonate because they tell the truth about the human experience, even when we don't fully understand life's ups and downs.
- Understanding story structure helps us better communicate our own experiences and connect with others.
This is a masterclass on storytelling. And, like all the best masterclasses, it has taken something that seems very complex and made it simple to explain and understand. If you are ever curious how well you understand something - a story, a concept, a structure … try to explain to a complete novice and see how well you do.
One of many truths that Vonnegut introduces, “But there’s a reason we recognize Hamlet as a masterpiece: it’s that Shakespeare told us the truth, and people so rarely tell us the truth in this rise and fall here [indicates blackboard]. The truth is, we know so little about life, we don’t really know what the good news is and what the bad news is. And if I die — God forbid — I would like to go to heaven to ask somebody in charge up there, ‘Hey, what was the good news and what was the bad news?”