ABSTRACT
This chapter begins our analytic journey of life stories. One of the authors of this book has written elsewhere:
The meanings of a narrative arise out of the interaction of story, storyteller and audience (Reason and Hawkins, 1988, p. 86). What audiences do with stories is often unclear. Consequently, an argument may be made for analysis that points out to readers themes within stories. Goodson (1992) suggests that analysis should increase the wider benefits of narratives by opposing unsympathetic, conservative or hostile readings . . . analysis strengthens stories.
