Reading the subtext: Before, beside, and beyond the narrative

This paper draws upon a study of women’s education to consider how a ‘recall methodology’ was developed and modified before, beside and after the data collection, which relied upon informal conversational interviews. Using the same framework, the researcher reflects upon the philosophical issues that arose during the research process as she struggled to balance criticality and realism, acceptance and intervention within the narrative process. The linguistic devices used to highlight meanings in the text are presented with examples and the paper ends by examining how embedded stories offer an additional lens for analysis, moving beyond the narrative itself.