The Storytelling Animal

“And long before any of these primates thought of writing Hamlet or Harlequins or Harry Potter stories—long before these primates could envision writing at all—they thronged around hearth fires trading wild lies about brave tricksters and young lovers, selfless heroes and shrewd hunters, sad chiefs and wise crones, the origin of the sun and the stars, the nature of gods and spirits, and all the rest of it.”

The excerpt employs a series of allusions with references to well-known narratives that are embedded in a broader historical reflection on storytelling. This allusion serves to connect the ancient act of storytelling at hearth fires to the contemporary forms of narrative, suggesting a timeless and universal human engagement with storytelling. The passage also uses imagery in “trading wild lies about brave tricksters and young lovers, selfless heroes and shrewd hunters,” painting a picture of early human societies engaged in oral traditions that are both rich in content and crucial in forming cultural identities.

“You might not realize it, but you are a creature of an imaginative realm called Neverland. Neverland is your home, and before you die, you will spend decades there.”

Gottschall introduces the concept of “Neverland” as a metaphor for the realm of imagination in which humans spend much of their lives. He intends this metaphor to transform the abstract concept of imagination into a tangible place, one that is familiar yet fantastical, where individuals escape throughout their lives. The use of direct address in “You might not realize it, but you are a creature of an imaginative realm called Neverland” personalizes this idea, connecting it directly to one’s lived experience and inviting recognition of one’s participation in this aspect of human life.