
Universality of stories
The universality of stories refers to the idea that certain themes, characters, and conflicts appear across cultures and time periods because they resonate with fundamental human experiences. Despite cultural differences, people share common emotions like love, fear, hope, and loss. Stories tap into these shared feelings, making them relatable regardless of background. This explains why similar stories—about heroism, sacrifice, or coming of age—are found worldwide. Essentially, storytelling reflects universal aspects of what it means to be human, allowing us to connect with others through common narratives.