An unreliable narrator is a narrator whose credibility has been called into question. This may be because the narrator is lying, delusional or insane.
Unreliable narrators can add an interesting layer of complexity to a story and can be used to create suspense or irony.
What is an unreliable narrator and how to create one for your stories
In short, it is a character in your story who may not be entirely reliable, either because they are biased, ignorant, or simply wrong.
In this blog post, we will explore how to create an unreliable narrator, including tips on how to craft their voice and choose the right details for maximum impact. Keep reading to learn more.
Definition of unreliable narrator
What is an unreliable narrator?
It’s a narrator whose credibility has been compromised.
This could be because the narrator is lying, delusional, or insane. Unreliable narrators can add an interesting layer of complexity to a story and can be used to create suspense or irony.
How to create it?
To create an unreliable narrator for your story, you need to keep a few things in mind.
Firstly, you need to decide why the narrator is unreliable. Are they lying about what happened, are they delusional, or are they insane? Once you have decided on the reason, you need to make sure it is clear to the reader.
You don’t want them to get confused as to why they cannot trust the narrator.
Also, be careful not to overuse unreliable narrators. If all of the characters in the story have dubious credibility, the reader will find it hard to know who to believe.
Try to use unreliable narrators sparingly and only when they add something valuable to the story.
Lastly, unreliable narrators can be a good way to create suspense or irony.
Unreliable narrators can add a lot of depth and complexity to your stories, so don’t be afraid to use them.
There are several ways to create an unreliable narrator for your story. One is to have the narrator lie about what happened, either deliberately or unconsciously.
You can also make the narrator unreliable if they have a mental illness, such as schizophrenia or paranoia.
Another option is to make the narrator unreliable due to age, such as a child who remembers things differently from adults.
Regardless of the method you choose, it’s important to make sure that the reader is aware of why the narrator is not trustworthy.
Examples of unreliable narrators in literature
Unreliable narrators in literature include Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye, Humbert Humbert from Lolita, and Scout Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird.
Each of these narrators is unreliable for different reasons: Holden Caulfield is unreliable because he is an unreliable teenager due to his inexperience and emotional immaturity; Humbert Humbert is unreliable because he is a pedophile who tells his story from the perspective of an unreliable narrator to justify his actions; and Scout Finch is unreliable because she is a child who lacks the experience and maturity to understand the events occurring in her life.
The benefits of unreliable narrators
Unreliable narrators can be a powerful tool for storytelling. They can add suspense and intrigue by creating uncertainty about what is true and what is not.
Unreliable narrators can also be used to create irony, as readers are often aware of the narrator’s flaws while following their story.
Unreliable narrators can be used to explore a wide range of themes and ideas.
For example, they can be used to create suspense or irony. They can also be used to explore the nature of truth and perception, or to criticize the reliability of human memory.
By making the reader question the narrator’s version of events, unreliable narrators can add depth and complexity to a story.
How to use unreliable narrators in your writings
When using unreliable narrators, it is important to be clear about why the narrator is unreliable. Is the narrator lying, delusional, or insane? It should also be clear how the narrator’s unreliability affects the story.
For example, does the narrator provide a false perspective on the events of the story? Or are the events themselves unreliable due to the narrator’s mental state?
Here are some tips for writers on how to effectively use unreliable narrators:
– Make sure that the narrator’s unreliability is clear to the reader from the start.
– Use unreliable narrators to create suspense or irony.
– Consider the implications of having an unreliable narrator in your story. Unreliable narrators can change the whole tone and meaning of your story.
In conclusion, if you understand the concept of unreliable narration and how to create an unreliable narrator for your stories, you can add another layer of complexity and intrigue for your readers. With these simple techniques, you can make your audience question everything they believe they know about your characters and the story itself.
Try these tips the next time you write fiction and see how your viewers or readers react. Do they feel more engaged with your work? Or do they feel deceived?
Let us know in the comments!
