Re-storying the Self: The Role of Narration in Reconstitution

Abstract

In today’s fast-paced world, many lives go unnoticed, not because they choose to be invisible, but because society seldom pauses to truly see them. Yet, behind all these unseen faces resides a tale wanting to be told. Narration thus becomes a vital tool in restoring visibility, empathy, and dignity to these muted lives. This paper examines Anton Chekhov’s short story “Misery”, which follows Iona, an old sledge driver who has lost his son and longs for human connection to share his grief. Drawing on Paul Ricoeur’s notion of narrative identity, which posits that identity is constantly modified by the tales people tell about themselves (Ricoeur, 1991), this paper investigates how narration serves as a way of selfformation and reconstruction. While all narration serves to shape and express the self, the act of narrating grief specifically serves as a way to externalise pain, give meaning to loss, and start the process of emotional integration. In “Misery”, Iona attempts to emplot his tragedy, giving it coherence through a beginning, middle, and end. But every time he tries, he is either ignored or interrupted by his indifferent passengers. He is unable to reconstruct his identity in the absence of a compassionate listener, making him invisible on a social and existential level. The narrative’s cold, indifferent setting underscores this isolation, making it a timeless reflection on the stifling of grief.