Summary Of A Storytelling Animal By Jonathan Gottschall

The common question human kind has asked throughout history, is “What shapes us into who we are?”. In the book, A Storytelling Animal, Jonathan Gottschall gives us some concrete examples in which fiction has shaped not only human behavior, but has shaped human history. Gottschall refers to the characters of these fictional stories as the “Ink People”, and poses a debate on the grip these fabricated caricatures of reality. Gottschall asks the question of ,”How do (Ink People) shape our behavior, customs, and transforms societies and histories” (144). A second question Gottschall asks in connection is, “If the changes (Ink People) are predictable and systematic?” (148).
The most compelling of all Gottschall’s examples was none other than Adolf Hitler. For not a faithful drunken night while watching Rienzi in the cheap seats, the great Nazi leader might not ever have been inspired to be Germany’s deliverer from evil.
Yes, fictional literature has caused us some collateral damage over the years, but Gotschall fails to bring into light many of the world’s greatest people. Without literature, many of the world’s greatest leaders would not have had the most positive impact they did. Not all literature that intends to inspire people does not always equate in malicious intentions.
For example, if not for the great autobiographies and stories of the Rasta man, the world would have one less great man by the name of Robert Nesta Marley, Bob Marley. Here we have a person who used their power and influence along with great influence from these “Ink People” to help a society. Using literature, specifically a sacred text, he spread a message of love, unity, and peace not only throughout Jamaica but through the world. With the same influence, why was the result much different than that of Adolf