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The Meaning Of Stories, By Mrs. Lupin

Decent Essays

Reading the title of “The Meaning of Stories”, I expected an essay on the significance of various cornerstones of storytelling. I was pleasantly surprised to find a less analytical essay, and instead, a more personal narrative, featuring individual experiences, and a thoughtful explanation on how stories shape the foundation of our lives.
I was a very serious child. My favorite story to tell about my childhood self takes place in kindergarten. It was spring time, and the tree outside the classroom was full of small white flowers that were being scattered in the wind. Kids started cheering “It's snowing it’s snowing!” and dancing around under the shower of petals. The teacher walked up to me and exclaimed, “Look Ciara, it’s snowing!” I actually …show more content…

One book stands out to me for its distinct style and the lasting impression it left on my young self. The book is titled Miss Rumphius, and tells the tale of the “Lupin Lady” who spent her life on wonderful adventures, only to return to the coast and spread Lupin seeds across the land. In “The Meaning of Stories”, the author muses that, “a good story triggers presuppositions.” They suggest that the beauty of stories is what the consumer gets out of them. In the case of Miss Rumphius and I, what I received was a sense of calm and sophistication each time I finished the story. The illustrations were all done in a lovely watercolor and pencil fashion, and the book spun tales of faraway places, lush greenhouses, and beautiful blossoming flowers. I was able to understand the intentions of the Lupin Lady as a, “human actor striving to do things over time,” just as the essay asserts is the purpose of narratives. Miss Rumphius wanted to travel the world, live in a house by the sea, and do something to make the earth more beautiful. This kind of focused, clear, and beautiful storytelling was imprinted upon me each of the hundreds of times I read the book. I would consider this story to be another piece of the foundation of

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