On Narrative and Green Cultural Criminology

Avi Brisman

doi:10.5204/ijcjsd.v6i2.347

Abstract

This paper calls for a green cultural criminology that is more attuned to narrative and a narrative criminology that does not limit itself to non-fictional stories of offenders. This paper argues that (1) narratives or stories can reveal how we have instigated or sustained harmful action with respect to the environment and can portray a world suffering from the failure to effect desistance from harmful action; and (2) narratives or stories can, may and possess the potential to shape future action (or can stimulate thought regarding future action) with respect to the natural world, its ecosystems and the biosphere as a whole. A wide range of fictional stories is offered as examples and illustrations, and the benefits of a literary bend to the overall criminological endeavor are considered.

Highlights

In the ‘Introduction’ to their recently published edited volume, Narrative Criminology: Understanding Stories of Crime, Presser and Sandberg (2015: 1) assert: Narratives are central to human existence
As they proceed to explain, ‘[c]riminologists have made ample use of offenders’ narratives, mainly, albeit not exclusively, as vehicles for data on the factors that promote criminal behavior’ (2015: 1). They assert, ‘[t]he idea that narratives or stories themselves shape future action has not been exploited for the sake of understanding criminal behavior’ (2015: 1). Building on their previous work, they propose a narrative criminology—‘an inquiry based on the view of stories as instigating, sustaining, or effecting desistance from harmful action’ (2015: 1)
—and in dialogue with Presser, Sandberg and others working in the emerging vein of narrative criminology, as well as those who have explored the role of and possibilities for narratives and stories in criminology2 without specific reference to the narrative criminological endeavor—this paper argues that: 1. Narratives or stories can reveal how we have instigated or sustained harmful action with respect to the environment, and can portray a world suffering from the failure to effect desistance from harmful action

Summary

Introduction

In the ‘Introduction’ to their recently published edited volume, Narrative Criminology: Understanding Stories of Crime, Presser and Sandberg (2015: 1) assert: Narratives are central to human existence. Building on their previous work (see, for example, Presser 2009, 2010, 2012; Sandberg 2010, 2013), they propose a narrative criminology—‘an inquiry based on the view of stories as instigating, sustaining, or effecting desistance from harmful action’ (2015: 1).

Results

Conclusion