The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast 219. Narrative, Story, and Writing pt. 1
Randall Wallace, renowned screenwriter and director of classics like Braveheart, joins to delve into the essence of storytelling. He explores how narratives shape our understanding of life, from captivating films to poignant music. The conversation highlights the emotional depths that stories invoke, linking history with human experience, and emphasizing sacrifice's profound impact on morality. Wallace also discusses the significance of literature in medicine and how popular culture forms connections through enchantment. Get ready to rethink the power of narrative!
01:08:52
Depth and Power of Literature
- Works of literature like the Bible and Shakespeare offer profound depth and complexity.
- Fictional worlds, such as J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, hold immense imaginative power.
Wallace's Literary Journey
- Randall Wallace studied Russian literature and read Tolstoy and Chekhov in the original language.
- He was inspired by Jordan Peterson's biblical series to read the entire Bible from start to finish.
The Bible as Historical Narrative
- The Bible, as a historical narrative, depicts a people's search for societal rules.
- Disobeying these rules, especially worshipping false idols, leads to negative consequences.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
The Interplay of Literature and Medicine
02:38 • 22min
The Depths of Sacrifice and Storytelling
24:19 • 10min
The Power of Music and Storytelling
34:42 • 5min
The Power of Popular Culture and the Search for Meaning
40:00 • 5min
The Balance of Enchantment: From Possession to Relational Being
44:37 • 4min
The Power of Stories in Human Experience
48:23 • 22min
The Cutting of the Forest
Sometimes translated as The Wood-Felling
Leo Tolstoy
This novella is one of Tolstoy's early works, written during his time as a young artillery officer.
It distinguishes between different types of soldiers and reflects his experiences in the military.
The story is part of Tolstoy's early literary career, which often explored themes of war and human nature.
The Cherry Orchard
Anton Chekhov
The Cherry Orchard is a poignant play that explores themes of social mobility, change, and the decline of the aristocracy.
The story revolves around Madame Ranevskaya's return to her family estate, only to find it threatened by financial ruin.
Despite efforts to save it, the estate is eventually sold to Lopakhin, a former peasant turned successful businessman, symbolizing the end of an era.
The play is a powerful commentary on the inability of the old aristocracy to adapt to modern realities.
Wonderworks
Angus Fletcher
Wonderworks examines the most powerful literary inventions from ancient Mesopotamia to modern times, highlighting how these narrative technologies can alleviate emotional distress and foster positive change.
The book draws on neuroscience to demonstrate the impact of literature on the human mind, showcasing its ability to heal trauma, spark creativity, and inspire empathy.
It covers a wide range of literary forms, from ancient Chinese lyrics to contemporary media.
The Iliad
Homer
The Iliad is an epic poem attributed to Homer, set during the Trojan War. It begins in the ninth year of the war, where a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles sets off a chain of events.
The poem explores themes of heroism, honor, and fate as it describes the battles and interactions between Greek warriors like Achilles, Diomedes, and Odysseus, and Trojan warriors like Hector and Paris.
The story is interspersed with divine interventions from Greek gods and goddesses, influencing the outcome of the war.
The poem culminates with Achilles' reconciliation with Agamemnon and his subsequent rage against the Trojans, leading to the death of Hector and the eventual funeral rites for Patroclus and Hector.
Sources of the Self
Charles Taylor
Charles Taylor's Sources of the Self is a comprehensive exploration of the development of the self in Western thought.
The book traces the evolution of self-understanding from ancient Greece to the modern era, examining how different philosophical and religious traditions have shaped our conceptions of identity.
Taylor argues that the modern self is characterized by a unique sense of autonomy and individuality, but also by a profound sense of alienation and fragmentation.
He explores the implications of these developments for our understanding of ethics, politics, and religion.
The book is highly influential in the fields of philosophy, sociology, and religious studies.
It's a challenging but rewarding read for anyone interested in the history of ideas and the nature of the self.
Harry Potter Series
A Series of Seven Fantasy Novels
J.K. Rowling
The Harry Potter series chronicles the adventures of Harry Potter, a young wizard who discovers his magical heritage on his eleventh birthday.
Along with his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry navigates the magical world, attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and confronts the dark wizard Lord Voldemort.
The series spans seven years, each book set over the course of one school year, culminating in a final battle against Voldemort in the seventh book.
The series explores themes of friendship, courage, and the struggle between good and evil, set against a richly detailed magical backdrop.
The Bible
Various Authors
The Bible is a comprehensive collection of texts that form the central religious text of Christianity and Judaism.
It is divided into the Old Testament, which includes books such as Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and others that narrate the creation of the world, the history of the Israelites, and the prophetic messages.
The New Testament focuses on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, along with the early Christian church and its spread.
The Bible contains a wide range of genres, including historical narratives, poetry, wisdom literature, prophetic writings, and epistles.
Enchantment
Katherine May
Katherine May's "Enchantment" is a captivating exploration of the power of wonder and the importance of reconnecting with the natural world.
May weaves together personal anecdotes, philosophical reflections, and scientific insights to illuminate the ways in which enchantment can enrich our lives.
The book encourages readers to cultivate a sense of awe and curiosity, fostering a deeper appreciation for the beauty and mystery of the world around them.
It's a thoughtful and inspiring read that reminds us of the magic that exists in everyday life.
May's writing style is both lyrical and accessible, making this book a pleasure to read for anyone seeking a deeper connection to themselves and the world.
Eugene Onegin
Alexander Pushkin
Written by Alexander Pushkin, 'Eugene Onegin' is a novel in verse that follows the life of Eugene Onegin, a bored and cynical dandy from Saint Petersburg.
The story unfolds as Onegin inherits a country estate and befriends Vladimir Lensky, a young poet.
Onegin rejects the love of Tatyana Larina, leading to a duel with Lensky that ends in tragedy.
Years later, Onegin returns to St. Petersburg and becomes obsessed with winning Tatyana's affection, now that she is married to a nobleman.
The novel is renowned for its artful verse narrative and its detailed portrayal of Russian society in the early 19th century.
The Gulag Archipelago
An Experiment in Literary Investigation
Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
The Gulag Archipelago is a three-volume series written by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, exploring the Soviet labour camp system through a mix of historical narrative, personal accounts, and literary investigation.
The book traces the history of the Gulag from Vladimir Lenin's decrees to the era of Nikita Khrushchev, detailing the arrest, conviction, transport, and imprisonment of prisoners.
It includes Solzhenitsyn's own experiences as a Gulag prisoner and accounts from other inmates, highlighting the brutal conditions, forced labor, and the psychological and physical suffering of the prisoners.
The work is a testament to the human spirit's struggle against evil and serves as a comprehensive critique of the Soviet regime's use of terror against its population.
The Neuropsychology of Anxiety
An Enquiry into the Functions of the Septo-Hippocampal System
Jeffrey Alan Gray
Neil McNaughton
This book presents an innovative theory of anxiety, emphasizing the role of the septo-hippocampal system in the brain.
It has been updated to include new insights into anxiety and its relationship with brain function, making it a valuable resource for researchers and clinicians in psychology and neuroscience.
The Master and Margarita
Mikhail Bulgakov
The novel intertwines several narratives, including the story of Pontius Pilate and Jesus Christ, and the adventures of the devil Woland and his entourage in Moscow.
The Master, a writer who has been driven to insanity by the rejection of his novel about Pontius Pilate, and his mistress Margarita, who remains loyal and determined to save him, are central characters.
Margarita's journey involves becoming a witch and hosting Woland's midnight ball, where she uses her newfound powers for altruistic ends.
The book is a critique of Soviet society, exposing corruption, moral decay, and the repression of artists and dissidents.
It blends elements of satire, fantasy, and philosophical inquiry, reflecting Bulgakov's personal experiences with censorship and societal pressures.
Crime and Punishment
Bibliophile Bibliophile Pro
Constance Black Garnett
FYODOR DOSTOEVSKY
Published in 1866, 'Crime and Punishment' is a psychological novel set in St. Petersburg, Russia.
It revolves around Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished and intellectually gifted former student who formulates a theory that some individuals are morally justified in committing crimes for the greater good of society.
Raskolnikov puts this theory to the test by murdering an old pawnbroker and her half-sister, leading to a profound exploration of his psychological and emotional struggles with guilt, paranoia, and the consequences of his actions.
The novel delves into socio-economic disparities, moral dilemmas, and the psychology of criminals, making it a classic of Russian literature and existential thought.
War and Peace
Leo Tolstoy
Set during the Napoleonic Wars, 'War and Peace' follows the lives of several Russian aristocratic families, including the Bezukhovs, the Rostovs, and the Bolkonskys.
The novel spans from 1805 to 1820 and is known for its realistic detail and psychological analysis.
It explores the impact of Napoleon's invasion of Russia on the characters and society, delving into themes of love, family, war, and personal growth.
The novel includes historical events such as the Battle of Austerlitz, the Treaties of Tilsit, and the French invasion of Russia, intertwining historical and fictional elements.
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We use stories to understand the world around us. It’s the reason that we appreciate a beautiful poem, why our breath is taken away during an epic movie, and get transported to another world while reading a great book.
Any great piece of music is a story, with the lyrics used, but also even the instrumental arrangements. It’s hard to argue that any of the great orchestral pieces from Beethoven or Bach don’t tell a complex story, even when no words are used.
Stories, and Narrative in general, allow us to play games for fun, construct cooperative relationships in business and in life, and help us successfully navigate the most difficult parts of our lives.
From birth to death, every day of our lives is inundated by story. Part one of this compilation focuses on season 4 conversations between Jordan, Randall Wallace, Chloe Valdery (released soon) and Angus Fletcher. We hope you enjoy this narrative.
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