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THE UNFOLDING OF THE LIFE NARRATIVE
V. RAMA DEVI
HOD, Department of Basic Science, Vishnu Institute of Technology, Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India

ABSTRACT
As social media have a tremendous impact on the demographic dividend transforming life in all its manifestations
new narratives started emerging. Life narratives have emerged in large numbers as people post their experiences, ideas,
feelings and ideas in the process constantly interacting with the members of their group. These digital life narratives
through social media in incorporate in themselves the features of an autobiography, a memoir, a travelogue, an album and
videos. They share with the autobiography the same urge to communicate, share, confess, justify or to simply bond.
Yet social media facilitating real time interaction, the life narratives that emerge constantly help one review and preview
ones lie thus being shaped in the very process of narration. The told narrative influences ones inner narrative and the
influence is mutual. However manipulating ones identity also has to be checked.
KEYWORDS: Life Narrative, Social Media, Forms and Functions, Identity
INTRODUCTION
My life is history, politics and geography. It is religion and metaphysics. It is music and language. -Paula Gunn
Allen The Autobiography of a Confluence
The canvas of human life exhibits the progress of human civilization, the grand narrative of human progress.
Narratives of the progress in sciences, medicine, positivist sciences, politics, psychology were the order of the day.
Overflowing emotions took the form of lyrics, conflicting moments of life have been crystallized in drama and the
experiences of the world in narratives. In the nineteen century the rise of individualism in the west, the seismic change in
information and communication technology led to the collapse of the grand narratives. The individual became the centre of
focus and personal narratives emerged. Narratives, personal narratives are the currency of the day. Ivor Goodson (2006)
finds that the scale of these narratives and their scope and aspiration have dramatically changed. He identifies this period to
be a period of life narratives, small scale narratives. Life narratives assumed different forms like biographies,
autobiographies, travelogues, memoirs and so on.
But the advent of the internet changed the game altogether. Communication and technology came within the reach
of the general public. And the world witnessed the participation of the public. Goodson argues that the public lost faith in
the grand narratives and it lead to the emergence of the small narratives, the personal narratives. It marked a change in the
aims and aspirations of the people. Individual life narratives mark the day. The internet facilitated this change.
Web 2.0
In fact the emergence of Web 2.0 was the starting point. That Computers have changed the world tremendously
remains a trite expression. Yet the changes it continues to bring about are always amazing. The advent of the internet
caused miracles indeed and Web 2.0 proved to be a very potential force. It allowed easy access to information to everyone
International Journal of English
and Literature (IJEL)
ISSN(P): 2249-6912; ISSN(E): 2249-8028
Vol. 4, Issue 3, June 2014, 11-16
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and not only to a select few. As Henry Williams chronicled in his history The intellectual advances that were once part of
an educated elite had spread further. This lowering of barriers, in fact, led to the unleashing of creative potential and the
doors opened for everyone to participate in the process of contributing potential data. A world began to emerge in which
we (or people like us) were creators. We could start a blog; we could upload and share photos and videos; we could even
build an encyclopedia (Steve Hargadon).
Web 2.0 has changed the entire contours of documenting ones experiences. Social networking sites have emerged
which satisfy mans desire to interact with people, bond with them and talk about his life or life in general. Many social
networking sites like Orkut, Google groups, Facebook and Twitter have created a platform for everyone to meet in the
virtual world, form into peer groups and share their interests, thoughts, beliefs and experiences.
None could have stated it better than the Life Narrative Research group. Identifying the all pervasiveness of the
individual writings of self narratives in publishing, broadcasting and self broadcasting of self narratives both biographical
and autobiographical, the group surmises:
In every format of every media and in every academic discipline, self-reflection, life writing, writing the self,
offering one's life story within travel books, scholarly articles, broadcasts, political web sites or newspaper blogs has
become a standard tool of communication and the dissemination of information in our time.
The personal experiences shared, the testimony provided, the judgments passed or evaluations given are all valued
making the life narratives significant. Information shared in every format of every media and in every academic discipline
offering information of ones life story or self introspection, opinions and so on in blogs, social networking sites has
become the standard practice.
SOCIAL NETWORKING AND LIFE NARRATIVES
The general public started using the social networking sites to express their life experiences taking the form of an
autobiographical narration. Narratives actually have come to include biographies, autobiographies, travelogues, memoirs,
epistolatory writing, and blogs. Social networking sites are an added media. Whatever may be the form, life narratives have
become the central preoccupation.
Social networking has developed in leaps and bounds. It provides the users a number of technical features to
create their own personal profiles, the viewing of which can be controlled by the user himself. They can also upload
photos and videos. Users can also add their own apps and control their security thereby controlling the viewership of their
content. Users connect with people who share similar interests.
In social networking sites a person can create his profile. This contains personal data like birth details, location,
education, employment, interests, hobbies and social links. Social scientists say that through profiles one can type oneself
into being. In addition the social profile of the person is also given. Data about the social links, communities joined, and
recent activities are also updated. The sharing of information is done only with connected groups. This is the same with an
autobiography where in the personal details of a person are shared. They share ideas, events, posts, pictures, activities, and
interests with their group members. The nature of things shared are as Chief Data scientist puts it on the Wikipedia
The things you share are things that make you look good, things which you are happy to tie into your identity. People do
The Unfolding of the Life Narrative 13

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not completely share what interests them but what gives a good image of themselves. Moreover content can be broadcast
in real time as it is updated.
Social networking is a way of meeting old friends or making new friends, or joining communities with similar
interests, niche networking . It is a way of bonding, an easy way at that, which saves on time and money and effort in an
otherwise busy schedule. Meeting someone as a friend, seeing the profile, identifying common interests, examining
friends, and likes gives a life narrative itself.
Social networking has developed in such leaps and bounds that not a day passes for many of the present
generation youngsters without accessing Facebook or the like. And in due course it garnered a lot of baggage. While on
one hand there is socializing, bonding and so on, on the other there is a lot of criticism. It also degenerates into narcissism,
gossiping, and at times insidious activities. Yet it remains a powerful tool of communication. Social networking provides
the blocks and it is for us to use it appropriately. Nevertheless people continue to connect, befriend and chat sharing their
experiences. The outcome of such communication led to the emergence of life narratives.
On Facebook for example a person can create a page for himself in a group of his choice. He provides personal
data of himself. Facebooks feature Timeline allows a person to post his status, update the sharing of his ideas and
experiences in a chronological order. A person can share, respond to the opinions of others on his post and can also
respond to other peoples posts. Thus we see the growth of the intellect of the people. The academic performance, the
tensions during examinations, the sense of humour with which it is or can be handled, the result, the joy or stoic acceptance
or depression (trying to get depressed) bring out the personality of the person.
WHY LIFE NARRATIVES
Most of the people do not use it to define their identities and compose a memoir or autobiography. They just form
into groups and communicate. There may not be an intention to confess like Rousseau, or justify their lives. They just share
to socialize.
For some Facebook begins the starting point of forming or defining their identities. It provides a panorama of the
growth achieved over a period of time, the dreams of studying abroad, the frantic preparation is shared, advice is sought,
the tension while going for a visa, the joy of getting, the moments of ecstasy from the US embassy itself, reveling in
congratulations of friends, the preparation, bidding farewell, sharing info about the intercontinental journey, the settling
down at a new place, excitement, thrill, the homesickness, nostalgia all bring out the personal element, in its intricacy,
more graphically than a written autobiography. The pictures uploaded add to the effect recreating the experience. So are
incidents narrated in the retrospective, comparing the current life with the student life in the past. The narratives
graphically portray their sentiments, familial affiliations, the sharing of national feelings of joy, sadness, anger or
compassion, spreading of social messages, discussion of ideologies all create a sense of solidarity and bonding.
Overtime a sequence of events will be shared not necessarily in a linear pattern, rather with interspersing of other
narratives as and when they happen or the photos are available. Over a year they could be ordered to prove a point and
there emerges a narrative of a particular strand of human life a persons life. A chronological picture of our experiences
narrated is revealed. The narrative may not be linear, it may be interspersed with other narratives, there by making it a non
linear narrative. A non linear narrative emerges. The timeline provides an opportunity to refer or review our data uploaded
year wise.
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Impact Factor (JCC): 4.0867 Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 3.0
Thus we see that over a period of time a personal life narrative emerges. Very much like an autobiography a
coherent narrative emerges. There will be coherence between the events, thoughts and situations described. Similarly
coherence of characterization can also be observed as the different members contribute, comment and discus on various
issues. And gradually in a non linear pattern a distinct identity emerges.
We can curate our lives from the Timeline information. When we post only that moment seems important. All the
remaining 23 hours, 59 seconds are on one side and the moment posted, it remains a testimony to our life. No doubt life
happens between updates and what we post is a projection of ourselves, true or idealized.
If it were true, then it becomes a perfect narrative of ourselves, an autobiography where in there is a connectivity
between the past lived and the present which are projected on to the future.
Moreover it shares with an autobiography the reasons for sharing personal experiences. Why do people share their
personal experiences? Perhaps Confessions like Rousseau, to justify, to share, to introspect, to bond. Here the personal
narrative will be accessible only to those with whom the author wishes to share. Telling ones story to others is always a
motivated act: For the most part, people tell stories to complain, to boast, to inform, to tease, to explain or excuse or
justify (Schegloff, 1997).
FUNCTIONS OF LIFE NARRATIVES
In the process of composing a life narrative several functions are performed. Life narratives may be for various
reasons. In life narratives on the social media, as it is accessible to one and all, there is mixture of both the mundane and
significant life events. Anything worth mentioning is shared. In fact there is even a joke circulating:
A Persons Update on Facebook: Hurray! Task completed successfully! A clean swipe of house 18-3 on
Road No3 Banjara.
There is a comment saying
OMG ! Thats my house!!!
And the finishing touch is like by a police officer.
Completely far fetched as it is, yet it reveals the craze of sharing these days, where every birth, marriage, results,
tensions are shared.
In life narratives people remember, reflect on and share the experiences of their life. But why do they do so?
Bluck and Alea (2002) find three functions that are performed directive, self and social.
The same can traced in the life narratives emerging on the internet, e narratives, self narratives.
The directive function involves using the past as an index to guide present and future behavior. Using the
narrative merging over a period of time, a person reviews his growth tracing his problems and victories and relationships as
well. Solutions to the problem can be sought through discussion on the Facebook, introspection, or through Facebook itself
by sharing and responding to the suggestions of others.
Hence life narratives on the internet also provide an opportunity to the users to guide themselves to plan and shape
ones plans. Hence the shaper becomes shaped through constant interaction.
The Unfolding of the Life Narrative 15

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The second one, self function, provides an opportunity to trace ones development. Coherence of life can be
realized through this narrative. Instances of self change, the need of it, the change proper, and emotion regulation are other
aspects.
The third function is the most performed., the social function. The narrative helps in developing, maintaining and
nurturing or sustaining social bonds. Through conversation a dynamic social interaction is caused. Sharing personal
memories makes the conversations and thereby the relationship more intimate and credible.
ARE LIFE NARRATIVES AUTHENTIC?
There has always been skepticism whether the experiences are true lived ones or projections of an idealized self.
The problem is same with any type of autobiography. There is always a scope for distortion or suppression of facts. But in
a life narrative on Facebook there is always a possibility to have more than one account and there is a possibility of
multiple identities some true, some idealized, some fictional. There is complicated relationship between lived life and the
told Narrative. Narratives are filtered through memory, subjective interpretative processes and the social conventions.
Therefore the narratives that emerge may not be completely accurate. Hence additional information is needed to make sure
of the authenticity of the narrative.
A very interesting aspect of life narratives on the social media is that sharing of information is real time and there
is an interaction between the author of the update and others. Discussions on an issue, advice, humour, sharing of similar
experiences all influence the author in turn. The told narrative influences the inner narrative, setting new goals and
conceptions for the realization of goals. The ethical aspect of a persons personality is also revealed. For a person of self
introspection it leads to the emergence of a changes personality.
Live life one day at time. Life as it is experienced is shared in nuggets, inspirations and aspirations, fears and
disappointments, adjustments and humour, sentiments and values, duties and responsibilities, the grace of gratitude, the
negligence are all portrayed if used sincerely. But as it emerges, it shapes the person paradoxically shaping the shaper.
Such is the potential of the Life narrative on social network, Yet it is a potent weapon ought to be used judiciously as any
other technological innovation. Done in the proper spirit it can bring forth an amazing narrative. Life is rich, no doubt, but
it cannot be brought out in its entirety. Similarly grain has to be sifted from the husk and the narrative presented.
LIFE NARRATIVE AND IDENTITY
Life narrative opens the magical windows to ideas, first thought, emotions first felt and relationships established,
followed or lost. Bud Goodall (2001) identifies the narrative on the net as an extension of a persons identity. It is the
reality or the virtual reality. He feels that the life narrative evokes a version of yourself that youd often rather be; or
whether its the you that creates friends on a Facebook page or surfs the Net or the you who exchanges endless texts and
tweets 24/7, the end result is the same: your pleasure in these texts, which is also to say the pleasure you give to yourself
and others in and through engaging in these texts, is central to the choices about stories, and the lives, you make out of
them.
In the past there was only one identity. But now it emerges as a new one interacting with the text. It appeals to
our emotions and enlivens our imaginations. Goodall entices Its fun, Its exciting. It has setbacks, set ups and startups.
We need to be in the swim. We need to be able to deal with these multiple identities.
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Impact Factor (JCC): 4.0867 Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 3.0
One has to be aware that stories are narrated in historically specific times and call on rules as to how they can
structured into a narrative. Stories show how individuals' motivations, emotions, and imaginations have been shaped by
their cumulative life experiences. In turn, narratives demonstrate how the knowledge produced by personal narrative
analysis is not simply contained in the stories told; the understanding that takes place between narrator and analyst and
between analyst and audience enriches the results immeasurably.
The big and little picture have to be reconciled, whats shared, whats interesting, and what kind of elements or
controlled values our schema allows.
CONCLUSIONS
An excerpt from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens well concludes:
Twenty years back, yes; at this time of my life, no. For, as I draw closer and closer to the end, I travel in the circle,
nearer and nearer to the beginning. It seems to be one of the kind smoothings and preparings of the way. My heart
is touched now, by many remembrances that had long fallen asleep, of my pretty young mother (and I so old!),
and by many associations of the days when what we call the World was not so real with me, and my faults were
not confirmed in me. (296)
It is the life narratives that bring back these remembrances of our lives.
REFERENCES
1. Bluck, Susan & Alea. Social Networking: A Tale of Three Functions. Social Cognition
2. Volume 23 No 1 2005 pp 91-117
3. Dickens, Charles. (2009). The Complete Works of Charles Dickens: A Tale of Two Cities. Cosimo Inc,
New York
4. Goodson, Ivor. (2006). The Rise of the Narrative. Teacher Education Quarterly Fall 2006.
5. http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ795220.pdf
6. Williams, H. (2005). Extract from Chronology of World History. London, UK: Cassels.
7. Goodall, Bud. (2011) Game Changing Narratives.
8. http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/