by Martin Reftorr

Created on: June 15, 2008   Last Updated: June 16, 2008

Secondhand Lions: The Significance of Stories

Storytelling represents one of the most ancient and significant forms of imparting knowledge and passing along tradition and human connection from generation to generation. In the film, Secondhand Lions, this significance is certainly not overlooked; rather it serves as the focal point for the movie's central concept of the human condition.

As the uncles continuously reveal their portrait of the human condition to the young boy, Walter, through stories and tales, the motif of storytelling becomes apparent. By presenting life lessons in the form of a foreign and exciting (almost mythical) tale, the uncles establish a connection with Walter based on the human condition and can relate their stories to morals regarding life and a human's role in the grand scheme of the world. For example, in telling the story of when Uncle Hub escaped the grasp of a sheik in Africa , Uncle Garth explained the importance of honor and dignity utilizing the Hub's quote: "Twice I've held your life in my hands, and twice I have given it back to you; the next time, your life is mine". Since young Walter idolized the situation his uncles were in, he felt more compelled to follow their actions and mannerisms, which he viewed as heroic on a grandiose scale. Essentially, the stories, even though the uncles told Walter that he didn't have to believe them, captivated the young boy because of their amazing and epic nature, causing him to find out more about his uncles' past (such as interrogating as to the nature of Uncle Hub's past love, Jasmine). This investigation ultimately ingrained in Walter a deeper respect for the uncles and the moral lessons they embodied through their past actions.

The nature of and success of the storytelling motif in relaying knowledge about life and the human condition is highlighted in Secondhand Lions, notably through the influential impact it has on the growing relationship between Walter and his uncles. Upon finding out their tales to be true (at the end of the film), Walter's respect for the men only doubles, thus reinforcing the lessons they taught him through storytelling. The film reveals that storytelling has been a staple in human (social) existence and indicates that this role will continue because of the intrigued interest and necessity of youth to learn morality and the responsibility the elder generation has in imparting their concept of morality and the human condition. In a never-ending cycle, storytelling will remain a central motif in human life, not just Secondhand Lions.

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