Less is More: Investigating Fragmented Life Narratives on the Humans of New York Facebook Page

Abstract

This article explores social media engagement of fragmented life narratives. Specifically, representative comment threads below the posted story with the greatest number of comments on the Humans of New York Facebook page is scrutinized mainly utilizing a social-construction-centered division of narrative analysis. Ochs and Capps’ Dimensions of Living Narratives combined with Labov’s Six Part Model are employed as both theoretical framework and methodological approaches of the analysis. Main findings of this article are as follows: (1) Personal experiences in fragmented life narratives are socially forged and mobilized, namely become impersonal. (2) De-personalization and social forge are both reinforced by and resistant to the culture of social media. (3) Methodologically, this article demonstrates the boundary between divisions in narrative analysis is flexible and fluid. This research aims to uncover the intricate interplay between life narratives and social media and add nuance to the emerging field of narrative inquiry in the digital environment.