Counternarratives

Abstract

Broadly speaking, the term “counternarrative” refers to a narrative that takes on meaning through its relation with one or more other narratives. While this relation is not necessarily oppositional, it involves a stance toward some other narrative(s), and it is this aspect of stance, or position, that distinguishes counternarrative from other forms of intertextuality.

Power Dynamics in Field-Level Events: A Narrative Approach

“…Counternarratives. Since often narratives are accompanied by counternarratives (Lundholt et al, 2018), we analyzed these alternative stories. This analysis sharpened our understanding of the majority of stories and pushed us to explore the underlying power relations.…”

“…To tell a story is to act in the world (Polletta et al, 2011) and both telling and hearing stories are “constitutive acts” (Vaara et al, 2016, p. 499). Some stories are countered by alternative versions (Lundholt, Maagaard, & Piekut, 2018, p. 4). However, only those who have the power to position themselves appropriately have the voice to construct and share stories (Phillips & Hardy, 1997).…”

Three strategies for doing narrative resistance: Navigating between master narratives

“…Although the literature has acknowledged the critical value of counter-narratives, they have been ambiguously defined. This ambiguity is manifest in the various terms used to refer to counter-narratives, including counter-narratives/stories (Andrews, 2004;Lundholt et al, 2018), subversive stories (Ewick &Silbey, 1995(, andalternative narratives (McLean &Syed, 2015). Despite the varied terminology, it is accepted that counter-narratives 'offer resistance, either implicitly or explicitly, to dominant cultural narratives' (Andrews, 2004, p. 1), thus challenging the 'received wisdom' (Delgado, 1989(Delgado, , p. 2414 and 'shaking up standard versions of reality' (Harris et al, 2001, p. 9).…”

“…Despite the varied terminology, it is accepted that counter-narratives 'offer resistance, either implicitly or explicitly, to dominant cultural narratives' (Andrews, 2004, p. 1), thus challenging the 'received wisdom' (Delgado, 1989(Delgado, , p. 2414 and 'shaking up standard versions of reality' (Harris et al, 2001, p. 9). As its name indicates, a counter-narrative is always in relation to other narratives, making it a positional category (Bamberg, 2004a) that involves a stance towards master narratives (Lundholt et al, 2018). This stance can take two different directions, implied by the two senses of the prefix 'counter': 'against', signifying opposition, and 'response', signifying alternative (Dorson, 2016).…”

“…This term, and similar ones such as canonical narratives (Bruner, 1990), dominant cultural narratives (Andrews, 2004), and hegemonic tales (Ewick & Silbey, 1995), refers to ‘culturally shared stories that… provide guidance for how to be a ‘good’ member of a culture’ (McLean & Syed, 2015, p. 320). Master narratives serve as a blueprint for all stories, constituting the vehicle we use to comprehend ourselves and others (Andrews, 2004), framing self‐perceptions, identity, and behavior (Lundholt et al , 2018, p. 3). Unlike the concepts of ideology, ethos, or values, master narratives assume the form of a story (Hammack, 2008), comprising its defining components, mentioned above.…”