Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death by suicide and death.

People use stories to connect. The deeper meaning, symbolism, and themes in stories teach valuable lessons, and character archetypes instruct audiences on human psychology and interaction. The Keeper of Stories rests on a foundational belief that stories connect people, and Janice’s experiences demonstrate lessons learned from these connections.

Even before Janice meets Mrs. B and Euan, she collects the stories of others. Her clients’ stories inform her relationships with them and allow Janice to know them more meaningfully. Her understanding of Geordie Bowman is an example: To most, he is a famous opera star, but to Janice, he is a self-made man who took on risk and adventure after being inspired by La Boheme as a young man. He is also a father and widower still grieving his wife. Knowing Geordie’s story affords Janice a close connection to him that transcends their client-cleaner relationship. Geordie providing Janice with a place to stay is proof of their connection.

Stories immediately connect Janice and Mrs. B. When Janice insists that her personal story is not worth telling, Mrs.